unclenedsfishfactory.com

In a message dated 4/13/2011 10:44:48 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, bwatson writes:
We have had three of the shiners die in the last couple weeks and
one that is on its way out. We are in the process of testing the water.
So far the pH is 7.2 and the nitrite is 0. The water temp is staying in
the mid 70s. Scott had said they are a cooler water fish and suggested I
not use a heater so I unplugged it and apparently the ambient temp of
the room is holding that temperature. IT could change when we get into
summer and the AC comes on, I don't know.

4 out of 23 fish would be a medium to high loss rate over a 12 month period
... but that it a quite high loss rate over a 1 month period

you should only be losing 2 or 3 fish per year out of 23
due to natural causes and assorted accidents

the best way for me to diagnose a sick fish is to see a live sick one ...
can you take a video?

the most common fish disease is called ick
which is easily recognized (small white spots on random places on the body)
and easily cured with 2 teaspoons of salt per 1 gallon of water (aprox 2% salt)
...levels over 3% salt are dangerous to freshwater fish
so you want to be fairly accurate about your tank size
(there are 7.48 gallons of water in a cubic foot)

I suspect the natural environment of these fish
(mountain streams in the southern US)
is quite cool winter but probably very warm summers
...so the temperature should not matter
providing that
... they have maximum possible oxygen and water flow...
so I would have at least 2 water pumps and/or air pumps

also I suggest keeping the tank water level a few inches shallow
and the tank cover partially open (for gas exchange)

pH I suggest above 6.7 , below 8.2
temperature probably doesn't matter except that it be below 82 degrees F.
Nitrite should be 0
Nitrate should be low to medium (which it is according to your test)
Ammonia should be 0

they probably will like frequent partial water changes...
but Cambridge probably has MWRA water
so we suggest Seachem Prime water conditioner for MWRA tap water
(use strictly according to the directions)

food:
should be fresh (opened jars should be no older than 12 weeks)
dry foods should stay clean and dry
...frozen foods should stay frozen
food should be varied
so perhaps
frozen brine shrimp
frozen bloodworms
spirulina flake food
color enhancing flake food
... ought to cover it

these guys are basically bait fish
(I mean not too bright)
so watch out for fish traps
... things like
aquarium decorations they can get caught in or injured from,
water pumps with missing strainers,
fish nets left inside a tank, etc

I doubt you have a poison issue
(poison usually results in massive fish kill in about 24 hours)
but watch out for
household chemicals such as window cleaners, arosols, etc.
Only clean the tank and tank equipment with plain water.