What happens if you add fish b4 cycleing?

[chris345]

my tank has been cycleing for about a week with a snail and live rock. Ive heard with live rock it only takes one week for the tank to cycle.So i added a scooter belliny. It's still alive but will it die?Its stays on the floor of course but it isn't moving much.its been living for about a day. what do you think i should do?

 

[dragonzim]

Please take the fish out and either return it or see if you can keep it in someone elses tank while you finish your cycle. Depending on how cured your rock was it can take 2 weeks to 2 months to cycle. Check your Nitrite, Nitrate and Ammonia levels. After you get an ammonia spike and your nitrites are at zero you will be ready to add fish.

 

[stephish]

in a nut shell:
uncycled tank + fish = dead fish
sorry DragonZim right, fish must come out.
Have you tested the water at all? what kind of water are you using?

 

[maxalmon]

I hate to come off as irritated, but why would you do this? Have you done any reading on how to set up a SW tank? This is a classic example of rushing and the fish pay the final price. Slow down, get a test kit and a journal. Remove the fish and find it a temporary home. Toss a raw shrimp into your tank, this will cause a spike in your Am. Check your water quality every day, you will see the spike and then see it go down, then it's safe to put the fish back.

 

[alyssia]

Originally Posted by maxalmon
I hate to come off as irritated, but why would you do this? Have you done any reading on how to set up a SW tank? This is a classic example of rushing and the fish pay the final price. Slow down, get a test kit and a journal. Remove the fish and find it a temporary home. Toss a raw shrimp into your tank, this will cause a spike in your Am. Check your water quality every day, you will see the spike and then see it go down, then it's safe to put the fish back.

Agreed. No reason for the fish to suffer.

 

[05xrunner]

The whole world will explode...Even if the tank was cycled a scooter blenny is gonna be hard. They eat copepods and such and I doubt you have enough yet. Personally if you had other fish in there I dont find it a big deal after waiting a week.
I am gonna LOVE hearing everyone act like I am doing pure evil.
I usually only wait a week. I setup my 75g and week later I transfered my Dragon wrasse, and pair of clowns into the tank.
They have been in there for almost a month. No problems..they are doing great. Eating alot..and actually grew some already and my tank water is fine.
OMG I AM THE WORST PERSON EVER....

Please no one try give me the 3rd degree...I have had SW tanks for many many years and never had issues.

 

[mandarin w]

Sounds like a LFS rushing a new hobbiest and telling them a bunch of garbage. Do not believe everything the LFS tells you. They make a living by selling you stuff, and alot of them, not all, could care less if the fish lives or dies, or how much money you waste getting your tank done. That is why so many new hobbiest leave out of fustration. Take your time. slow down and read the different threads here. Ask questions. The thing you got to realize is, there are quite a few of here who have have tanks for years, and we don't make a dime from you. We just want to help you get thru the garbage the LFS tells you. So you don't waste your time, or your money.

 

[maxalmon]

Agreed, this site saved my butt several times... I think I read just about every post for the first 6 months, seriously, I was glued to this site and I tried to absorb everything. There are so many people on this board who actually care and can guide you along, but listen to what people say and then make an informed decision, if still in doubt, ask again, but don't rush it.

 

[rbrockm1]

they will die or have a rough start in your tank. the amonia burns their skin. that doesn't sound like fun to me

 

[hatessushi]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
The whole world will explode...Even if the tank was cycled a scooter blenny is gonna be hard. They eat copepods and such and I doubt you have enough yet. Personally if you had other fish in there I dont find it a big deal after waiting a week.
I am gonna LOVE hearing everyone act like I am doing pure evil.
I usually only wait a week. I setup my 75g and week later I transfered my Dragon wrasse, and pair of clowns into the tank.
They have been in there for almost a month. No problems..they are doing great. Eating alot..and actually grew some already and my tank water is fine.
OMG I AM THE WORST PERSON EVER....

Please no one try give me the 3rd degree...I have had SW tanks for many many years and never had issues.
Chris was asking the questions about his situation. The fact that you possibly did the same thing doesn't mean anything unless your creatures are not moving (or dieing). Maybe your tank cycled quickly but your tank is not Chris' tank is it?
Sounds like you don't have a problem, .....not yet anyways

 

[cjml]

Originally Posted by chris345
my tank has been cycleing for about a week with a snail and live rock. Ive heard with live rock it only takes one week for the tank to cycle.So i added a scooter belliny. It's still alive but will it die?Its stays on the floor of course but it isn't moving much.its been living for about a day. what do you think i should do?

Please take the little guy out of your tank-your tank needs some more time to cycle and be ready for fish. :happyfish

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by 05xrunner
The whole world will explode...Even if the tank was cycled a scooter blenny is gonna be hard. They eat copepods and such and I doubt you have enough yet. Personally if you had other fish in there I dont find it a big deal after waiting a week.
I am gonna LOVE hearing everyone act like I am doing pure evil.
I usually only wait a week. I setup my 75g and week later I transfered my Dragon wrasse, and pair of clowns into the tank.
They have been in there for almost a month. No problems..they are doing great. Eating alot..and actually grew some already and my tank water is fine.
OMG I AM THE WORST PERSON EVER....

Please no one try give me the 3rd degree...I have had SW tanks for many many years and never had issues.
This is SO not necessary, and if I had the choice, I would deleate this post. This is this person's THIRD post. He is looking for guidance and help. Not for childish insults. I don't just mean you 05xrunner. The other posts as well.

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by chris345
my tank has been cycleing for about a week with a snail and live rock. Ive heard with live rock it only takes one week for the tank to cycle.So i added a scooter belliny. It's still alive but will it die?Its stays on the floor of course but it isn't moving much.its been living for about a day. what do you think i should do?
Your lfs has steered you wrong. Take the blenny back and pick up a liquid master test kit. Test your ammonia. Test your nitrites. When both reach zero the you are ok to consider fish.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
Your lfs has steered you wrong. Take the blenny back and pick up a liquid master test kit. Test your ammonia. Test your nitrites. When both reach zero the you are ok to consider fish.
I agree with this fully. I would definitely take the fish back and stop listening to the advice of your LFS.
You cannot add anything other than live rock until your cycle is over.

 

[xnikki118x]

Even when the cycle is over, I wouldn't add a scooter blenny until the tank is more established.

 

[05xrunner]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
This is SO not necessary, and if I had the choice, I would deleate this post. This is this person's THIRD post. He is looking for guidance and help. Not for childish insults. I don't just mean you 05xrunner. The other posts as well.
Actually..none of it was directed at him..other then he should have picked another fish to start with. Blenny need copepods and cycled or not tank isnt going to have enough.
I was more directing it towards everyone who acts like you gotta wait years before you can add a hermit crab to the tank. Sometimes the way its talked about why dont some people just have water and nothing else. I mean come on..I have heard some say dont add fish for 6months. Get real.
I say for the OP go get yourself a few hermits and snails and let them run through for a while

 

[chuckcac]

Hi chris345 - welcome to the boards

This is a great place to start -
https://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=80022
this is a thread located in the archives that i found very informative - it will give you alot of info on why everyone wants you to take the blenny out of the tank..
basically - for a tank as young as yours - there is not yet a buildup of beneficail bacteria that can support the bioload from any livestock (blenny or not - this applies to all creatures living and trying to breathe)
the bi-product of the livestock is ammonia - which is TOXIC to your animals. without the time to build uop the bateria, your fish is slowly poisoning him/herself to death...

read that thread... in particular read the one titled "The Aquarium Cycle"
everyone's adfvice about "slow down", and "take it slow" is REEALLY good advice....
Good luck - keep us posted on progress, thoughts etc,.,..