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help us [message #9674]

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:32

pigsnvws

Messages: 8
Registered: May 2008

Junior Member

125g tank with large wet dry with double overflow
all parameters are good, pH is 8-8.2 with no ammonia or nitrite, nitrate is good. tank has babies (6-12mo) and has been good. eating good. about 2wks ago lost a fish, and are losing ~5/wk - no sign of aggression, no sign of ick or bloat, no fungus they just die with mouths open - no gasping prior to death though - HELP we add salt with each water change and have rock to help stabilize pH. tank established for almost a year now

[Updated on: Mon, 12 May 2008 23:34]

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Re: help us [message #9675]

Tue, 13 May 2008 09:36

Malawi Mother

Messages: 1305
Registered: February 2007
Location: Phoenix AZ

Senior Member

If all looks good and you don't see any symptoms but fish are still dying then one has to assume that it's either an infection, parasite, or bloat. Usually with infections you see some kind of symptom. Bloat is from dietary problems and it can effect several fish at a time or just one. We typically look for a lump near the anal fin or the stomach swells up to a very large size. A parasite on the other hand can wipe out an entire tank and never been seen. Because bloat is somewhat recognizable, you would notice the size of the fish changing or decoloring on the belly area or even a lump we are going to rule it out if you are not seeing anything that resembles that. Parasites can be treated without hurting your aquarium's biosphere and parasites sometimes are hidden very well and will kill off fish in handfuls. I say you take your chances and treat for that first. Do a 50 percent water change first. Treat with the local pet stores cheapest parasite killer. I like Top Fin or Jungle Labs. They work very well and quickly. Stay away from the parasite food because your fish have to eat it consistantly in order to get better. Remember to take the charcoal out of your tank. Good luck. Follow the directions on the box.

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Re: help us [message #9678]

Tue, 13 May 2008 18:58

pigsnvws

Messages: 8
Registered: May 2008

Junior Member

Thanks Malawi Mother - we will go get some parasite treatment. I don't see signs of bloat or the swelling by the anal fin. I did however see something new tonight. There is one fish (too small to tell the sex)that is at the bottom by itself. It appears to have something that looks like bruising or bleeding under the scales but just around the gill/shoulder area - it's odd - never seen it before. Fish also seems to be breathing hard - I have a 10gal hospital tank set up - I think that I will segregate for now to be safe. Thanks again for the advise.
Tami

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Re: help us [message #9679]

Tue, 13 May 2008 21:44

pigsnvws

Messages: 8
Registered: May 2008

Junior Member

lost 3 more tonight - have been doing a lot of research online - does anyone know about Costia? One site said to use forma green or Acriflavine Neutral. I've never heard of either. other websites mention copper safe. I just don't want to start dumping stuff in my tank. I thought that there were no signs - but on the fish that died tonight I noticed a bloody patch on one, almost like it was bleeding under the scales - about 1 hr later it was floating belly up. Now I notice 3 more fish hovering at the bottom, fins tight to the body and gasping. I tested the water - pH is 8.2, ammonia is 0, nitrite is 0, nitrate is 10. That's all good right? We did about a 30 gal water change (125 gal tank) yesterday. Should I do another water change tonight? Another much smaller fish has a fairly large white circle patch just behind it's gill on one side. Ergh! Malawi Mother help!

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Re: help us [message #9680]

Wed, 14 May 2008 09:50

Malawi Mother

Messages: 1305
Registered: February 2007
Location: Phoenix AZ

Senior Member

I haven't heard of any of those meds except the copper stuff.

Okay we can rule that it is either a parasite, bacterial, or viral infection, so which meds to treat with?
This is a problem I have had several time, which meds to treat with when you don't have much time and your fish's lives depend on your accuracy. NO matter what, you have infection and the most common meds to treat for an infection are antibiotics.

I would most likely treat with a Sulfa product. It's an antibacterial medication that wont hurt the biosphere of your tank. All local pet stores sell this product but it's usually a little more expensive but worth it. API makes a brand. It runs about 15.00 dollars a box depending on what part of the country you are in. It comes in powdered form in little envelopes. Each envelope treats 10 gals of water. You treat the whole tank, then look for signs of worsening or improving. In 48 hours, do a second treatment then 48 hours later do a 50 percent water change. You should see a noticable improvement. However if you do not see improvement then get yourself the Jungle Labs parasite medication. Usually runs around 2.99 a box. Comes in either powder form or drop fizzies as I call them. Try that as the next treatment. You will need to remove charcoal out of your tank for any of these treatments. As long as the filter still runs it will be fine though.

I have to warn you that doing a lot of med treatments on fish can sometimes leave your fish sterile. If you have intentions on breeding your fish, the meds may hinder that process. But I have used these products and have not had that happen. My fish still have babies. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help but this is what I would do if I were in your shoes which I have been before. Good luck.

Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com

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Re: help us [message #9682]

Thu, 15 May 2008 07:07

pigsnvws

Messages: 8
Registered: May 2008

Junior Member

Thanks again. I think your advice to do a large water change has helped a lot - no deaths yesterday and none this morning - I still see fish gasping so I think that we will follow your new advice.

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Re: help us [message #9685]

Thu, 15 May 2008 09:55

Malawi Mother

Messages: 1305
Registered: February 2007
Location: Phoenix AZ

Senior Member

Okay and if you see your fish gasping for air, a lot of time just adding an extra bubbler with help. Also if you haven't done so yet, check your filter to see how much water is coming out of it. If it is clogged this can also lead to fish gasping for air which then lowers their immune system and helps them to get sicker all the quicker. So if you only have one, add another bubbler, if you don't have any, add one.

Good luck.

Please come visit me at www.atozthatsme.com

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