My Neon Tetras Died After A Water Change (Reasons+Prevention)

Your neon tetra’s passing away after a water change is a matter of concern that requires your immediate attention.

So, why did my neon tetras pass away after a water change? Let us find out.

A massive change in the tank’s water temperature and performing a massive water change after a long gap is why neon tetras pass away after a water change. Perform a 30% weekly water change and treat the tap water with a water conditioner to prevent such issues and to ensure your tetra’s well-being.

The article below discusses the reasons and prevention for your neon tetra passing away after a water change. In addition, we will also learn how to do a water change in your fish tank.

Can water change make your neon tetras pass away?

Performing a water change is essential to ensure your neon tetras’ well-being and a longer lifespan.

However, performing a massive water change at once can lead to severe stress in your fish, making your neon tetras pass away.

In addition, sudden fluctuations in the water parameters after a water change can also make your tetras suffer from significant health issues and eventually pass away.

A significant difference between the freshwater and tank water temperature can lead to severe stress in your neon tetras, leading to their passing away.

To learn about the signs of stress in your neon tetras, you can read my article on 10 Signs Of Stress In Neon Tetras

Therefore, you should always perform a water change adequately to prevent such issues and ensure your fish’s well-being.

What are the reasons behind neon tetras passing away after a water change?

Here are the reasons behind your neon tetras passing away after a water change

1. Performing a massive water change 
2. Elimination of the good bacteria from the water filter
3. A fluctuation in the tank’s water parameters

Performing a massive water change can shock your neon tetras, eventually making them pass away.

We recommend performing a 30% water change weekly than performing after a long gap to maintain the tank’s water quality and ensure your tetra’s well-being. To learn more about the importance of a water change and how often to change your tetra’s water, you can read my article How Often To Change Neon Tetras Water?

Eliminating the good bacteria from the filter can also make your neon tetras pass away.

While performing a water change, if you clean the tank’s filter, the beneficial bacteria in the filter will get eliminated, eventually leading to a spike in the ammonia and nitrite levels, making your neon tetras suffer from severe health issues and pass away.

A fluctuation in the tank’s water parameters can also lead to severe stress in your neon tetras, eventually making your neon tetra pass away.

Despite being hardy fish species, a significant difference between the freshwater and the tank’s water temperature can lead to severe stress in your neon tetras, eventually making them pass away.

The above are some reasons behind your neon tetras passing away after a water change. 

Is water change necessary?

Weekly water change is essential to ensure good health and the longevity of your neon tetras.

Not performing water change will contaminate your fish tank’s water leading to a spike in the ammonia and nitrite levels.

A spike in the tank’s ammonia and nitrite levels can make your fish suffer from severe health issues like ammonia poisoning.

Leftovers and the dead and decaying plants in the aquarium can also cause spikes in ammonia levels, causing severe damage to your neon tetras.

Poor water conditions in the tank can also lead to a drop in the tank’s oxygen level, making your fish suffocate and gasp for air at the water’s surface.

In addition, bad water conditions can also lead to many other health issues like loss of appetite, stress and constipation in your neon tetras, eventually making them weak and prone to several diseases and parasites.

So, it will be advisable to perform a 30% weekly water change to maintain the tank’s water quality and ensure your neon tetras’ well-being.

Consider treating the tap water with a water conditioner while performing a water change, as it helps to eliminate all the harmful bacteria like chlorine and chloramine from the water, making it safe for your fish. To learn more about the benefits of a water conditioner for your neon tetras, read my article Do Neon Tetras Need Water Conditioners?

Adding a water filter to the tank also helps to maintain the tank’s water quality by eliminating all the harmful chemicals like ammonia and nitrite from the water that can lead to severe health issues in your fish.

Things to consider while performing a water change in your neon tetras tank

It would be best to consider the factors below while performing a water change in your neon tetras tank.

1. Consider performing a 30% water change weekly rather than a massive one.
2. The freshwater temperature and the tank’s water temperature should not have a massive difference. The ideal water temperature of your neon tetra tank should be between 72-76°F (22°C-24°C).
3. Do not wash the biofilter media and the other tank equipment with fresh water, as it can eliminate all the good bacteria.

How to perform water change in your neon tetras tank?

Here are the things required to perform a water change in your neon tetras tank

1. A bucket
2. An aquarium vacuum
3. A cleaning sponge

Below are the steps to perform a water change in your fish tank

1. Turn off any tank equipment, like a filter or a heater.
2. Put one side of the vacuum in the tank’s bottom and the other in the bucket and transfer the tank water into the bucket.
3. Continue vacuuming by moving the hoes to different gravel areas until you transfer one-third of the water to the bucket.
4. Clean your tank’s biofilter from the tank’s water in the bucket. Avoid cleaning it with tap water, as it can eliminate all the beneficial bacteria from the biofilter. Squeeze the filter to remove all the blockage.
5. Install the filter back after cleaning it.
6. Wash all the other tank equipment and decors, like aquarium rocks, with tank water than tap water.
7. Clean your neon tetra’s tank wall with the help of a cleaning sponge.
8. Fill the bucket with tap water and treat it with a water conditioner as it helps to eliminate the harmful chemicals from the water.
9. Finally, gently pour the treated tap water into your tetra’s tank. Ensure no significant difference exists between the tank’s water and the freshwater, as it can cause stress in your neon tetras.

The steps above are to perform a water change in your neon tetra’s tank.

Mistakes you should prevent while performing a water change

Here are the mistakes you should prevent while performing a water change in your fish tank

1. Avoid washing your tank decorations with tap water, as it can eliminate all the beneficial bacteria. Instead, consider cleaning the tank’s equipment and decors with tank water rather than tap water.
2. Do not add untreated tap water to your neon tetras tank. Consider treating the tap water with a water conditioner to remove all the harmful chemicals from the water.
3. Avoid adding water too fast, as it can lead to excessive stress in your neon tetras.

You should prevent the above mistakes while performing a water change in your fish tank.

Conclusion:

1. Performing a water change is essential to ensure your neon tetras’ well-being and a longer lifespan.
2. Fluctuation in the tank’s water parameter, performing a massive water change, and elimination of the good bacteria from the filter can be the reason for your tetras dying after a water change.
3. The freshwater temperature and the tank’s water temperature should not have a massive difference. The ideal water temperature of your neon tetra tank should be between 72-76°F (22°C-24°C).
4. Avoid washing your tank decorations with tap water, adding untreated tap water to the tank and pouring water too fast to ensure your fish’s well-being.

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Reference: NCBI