hiddencat

I noticed yesterday that one of our scissor tails had a red rash on the lower half of his body- sort of speckly. This morning we found him in the tank, dead. The other fish seem fine, no marks or odd coloring. But I couldn't find a good description in the fish disease section on what it could be.

We're sorta struggling with our nitrogen cycle too- been doing frequent 50% water changes (not daily but a couple times a week), not over feeding, etc. The tank is currently overcrowded, but we're planning in the very near future to get a 30 gallon tank (we have a 10 gallon tank, a rainbow shark, plecos, two (of three initial) scissor tails and a tiger barb. My last readings on the water levels from Friday are as follows:

NH3/NH4: 8.0
Nitrite: 1.0
Nitrate: 40
Temp: 80.1

The previous readings we took on 4/8 were:
NH3/NH4: 2.0
Nitrite: 1.0
Nitrate: 80
Temp: 84.2

I know those are way off but am not sure what to do while waiting to get a bigger tank (and then do a fishless cycle first!). I'm not sure if the water levels are what caused the other fish to develop a red rash and die, or if it's another disease we should be treating the fish for.

Any ideas?

RiffDawg15

The nitrites are still high, even though they are only at 1ppm. They should be 0ppm for both Ammonia and Nitrites.

The nitrates are livable at 40ppm, but most people like to see them around or below 20. Anywhere between 10-20ppm for nitrates is good.

If I were you I would do a 40-50% water change as soon as possible. The water parameters could be what caused the rash or death of the fish. But Im not positive about what caused the death.

Also you could probably back down your temperature to 80 degrees. 84 is a little high.

Im sorry about your loss, nobody ever likes to hear about a fish dieing.

hiddencat

80 is the current temp- I've been edging it down because I think the fish will all be happier at 75/77. We'll do a water change today- I'm worried about the other fish getting sick too

mlinden84

78-80 is a good temp range.

If I were you I'd be doing water changes.... and lots of them. Try to do them daily until your tank is cycled.
And since your tank is overcrowded, you will need to do water changes more often to keep the water parameters in the ok range.
I think the best thing you can do at this point is just do frequent water changes with a good conditioner (i use prime).
Good luck!

RiffDawg15

Yep water changes are the only thing you can really do right now. I also use "Prime" when I do water changes.

If I were you I would do at least 40% water changes daily. Until your tank is fully cycled. Meaning your ammonia and nitrites are reading 0.

Then just do water changes twice a week since your tank is overcrowded. That should keep your nitrates below 20.

Good luck, feel free to ask more questions if any arise!

susitna-flower

I agree you need to be doing daily 50% water changes, MINIMUM... It isn't that hard in a small tank, and is the only thing that will keep your fish alive. But only after you get those readings down. To do that you need to do several 50% changes in a row. The nitrates at 80 are really high, but the ammonia and nitrite are lethal at these levels.

I believe you also should be doing testing every day before your water change to keep a closer eye on the water condition. It should be done right before your water change. Prime would be my choice for a conditioner as well since the tank is over crowded.

Evelyn1919

i'm new to this fish world but my tank is still cycling and not overcrowded and my ammonia is .25, nitrite is 0 and nitrates are 10 and i'm doing 25% water changes daily sometimes even a little more just so that there is the least ammount of ammonia possible in the tank.
i agree with everybody and do lots of water changes and check water chemistry everyday so that you know how much water you should change.
when i had the reading you are having i was doing 50% water changes everyday and that worked pretty good. i didn't use prime (and still) because i couldn't find it but i'm using stress coat everytime i do water change.

oh and by the way all my fish are doing very good and no more fatalities!!!


good luck with all your fish!!!

sirdarksol

The above is excellent advice. I would guess that the rash was ammonia poisoning.
Good luck and keep us posted.