Nicolas Rodriguez

Ok, i went on a short trip to my fathers house a few days ago, right after i got some new cories. Now the second day i had the cories 3 were dead out of six, i thought i just messed up the acclimation, slapped myself on the wrist, then went out to my fathers for 3 days.
I came back to 5 dead fish, including my beautiful betta, and today 3 more died, including my sole surviving fire eel, im thinking disease but i wasent here to study any behavior changes, and my mother had no idea the fish had passed away.
Another thing that could be causing it is a decoration i got at a dollar store when i first got the tank a few months back. It was a gargoyle and it looked nice so we bought it and took it home cleaned it, etc... but during my last water change i had to move it and it crumbled a bit, since then both of the wings fell off, and im thinking whatever was inside it could have poisned the water.
I removed the gargoyle and did a 20% water change, im taking a sample of my water to the LFS tommorow so i can get it tested but is there anything i should be doing to help the fish?

[Edit] Just a side note, all the cories are dead as well [/edit]

Lucy

I'm really sorry you lost so many fish, that's sad.

Was the betta in the same tank?
A few things could have happened....the cories may have been sick when you got them and it spread in the tank. The gargoyle poisoned the water or the betta and the other fish got into a tussle.

To be on the safe side, I'd change more of the water out in case it was the gargoyle and run some carbon in the filter if you don't already use it.

Good luck with the rest of your fish.

fishlover78

oh, I am sorry to hear about your fish, you are on the right track with water changes and taking out the decoration. I would also do another 20% water change tonight just incase there are any toxins in the water. I am sorry about your fish.

I also think you should run some carbon, great minds think alike Lucy!

Nicolas Rodriguez

Alright, im taking a trip to the local fish store tommorow, ill be sure to pick up some carbon when im there, will that kill my bacteria and cause a mini cycle?

And yes the Betta was in the same tank, but he had been there for months and was very peaceful, he was a very unique fish, i dont believe it was a fight because im still loosing fish.

Lucy

No, carbon won't effect the cycle.

fishlover78

no the carbon won't effect the cycle, you could have 2 things going on a disease from the cories and toxins from the gargoyle in there.

Nicolas Rodriguez

That would be an epic fail if i do, note to self Dollar store+Fish tank= No

Lucy

Glass is ok

fishlover78

yes, anything not meant for tank+tank full of healthy fish and water= big no no!

Nicolas Rodriguez

Lol lucy, well, i guess now i need to start thinking about restocking... sigh... its so sad, i only have my angels and tetras and Danios now, oh and the swordtail

fishlover78

I know its tough, just give it some time first.

hobbiest#5

It could be caused buy nitrate levels or even ammonia.

Nicolas Rodriguez

Yeah it could be, my mother may have overfed but she assures me it was only a pinch, if thats true then ill know tomorrow when i get the water tested..