TheEssigs

Ok, I lost 2 fish, in 2 days in my ten gallon.

The tank is up and running & cycled for months, understocked and has usual weekly maintenance. I just tested the water and there seems to be a spike in the Ammonia (1.0), Nitrite (0) and Nitrate (20). I am unsure if the ammonia spike is from the decomposing fish I yanked out yesterday, but, its there now. I have done a 10% water change, and will do it again in the morning.

Ok, so question is this, the fish "look" fine, act fine and eat. No outward-visable signs of sickness. SO... would you treat with an antibacterial med, or a parasite med? My first instinct is to just continue with the water changes and wait it out, but my head says treat with a precautionary medication... what to do?

(there are only three fish in the tank now, 2 corydora and 1 Head and tail light tetra)...

0morrokh

To me it sounds like the ammonia spike was what caused the fish deaths. Any idea how it might have spiked in the first place? Did you see the fish before/soon after they died?

TheEssigs

Actually, I hadnt noticed the one fish died, but found it yesterday covered in white fuzz stuck in a plant... so I am sure it was dead for a few days... hence the white fuzz... the other I saw die... it just hung out in a corner today until it just got swept away in the filter current.

0morrokh

Did any of the now deceased fish have red gills?
Did you prune plants or clean the filter recently?

I'm not really sure since I don't know how much a dead fish would raise the ammonia. Is it possible the fish just died of old age?

TheEssigs

The fish werent presenting with any wierd behavior or showing any outward signs of illness. I did my weekly tank maintenance, a water test and change on Saturday... no gravel vac/filter change as I do that twice a month.

Im not sure why its happening either, so bringng us back to my original thought... I am wondering if I should treat as a precaution or continue with water changes and wait it out?

0morrokh

I have no idea what might have caused it. I am generally of the opinion that it's best not to treat without at least a pretty good diagnosis. If there is something you haven't noticed stressing the fish, maybe adding chemicals would worsen the situation. So personally I would go with water changes and see if any other fish start acting sick. But it's up to you...hard to say without actually seeing the fish. Just my

TheEssigs

My instinct says waterchange, waterchange... its just that I have 2 corys in this tank, and they are my favorite corys out of all the different ones we keep and would hate to lose them... Im just hoping its not an internal parasite and/or infection.

0morrokh

Yeah I hope it's not a disease too. I just don't know how you'd treat for it without having any idea what it is, if there even is a disease.

TheEssigs

maybe the one fist died, for whatever reason, and the other got sick from picking at it or something... who knows really... ahhh!

I know that some meds say you could use them as a prevenative when adding new fish or when fish expire... so I dont know...

I think I am going to go with (2) 10% water changes am/pm tomorrow, and see where that leaves us come thursday...

COBettaCouple

I would go with water changes of 25% daily. Treating the water with Prime should help, I believe you use Prime, right?

TheEssigs

I used to use Prime, but I switched back to Stress Coat, as I felt that Prime was contributing to some water and fish problems. I do have it though, So until the ammonia settles, I will use that with my water changes for the next few days.

capekate

In my opinion your higher ammonia level was due to the dead fish in the tank, since it was there for awhile decomposing. Sometimes our fish die for no apparent reason, maybe just a weak strain from the LFS. But a dead fish left in the tank can raise the ammonia level.
I use Prime in all my tanks, and have never had any problem with it. Are you sure the stress coat does all the things that a water conditioner/declorinatar does?

I agree with everyone else... water change.. water change, water change!

~ kate

TheEssigs

Stress Coat removes chlorine/chloramines, and also helps replace slime coat and aids in treating damaged tissues. Its a basic dechlor... Unlike Prime, that has the added benefit of the ammonia and nitrite detox.

I used Stress Coat when we first started, and switched to Prime, but after using that product for a few months, I noticed that I was having more than usual water problems and/or fish problems, so I switched back to Stress Coat.

I am sure that is was just a coinsidence, but I am not willing to retry the product, at this point...anyway.

I am all about, "if it aint broke, dont fix it..."

capekate

I hear ya! If it works for you....
BTW, Prime, removes chlorine, chloramine, ammonia, Detoxifies Nitrite and Nitrate and provides slime coat.... just like your stress coat.

~ kate

TheEssigs

I know... thats why I originally switched from Stress Coat to Prime, as I felt it was a better product... but when things went haywire, I gave up the added ammonia/nitrite(ate) benefit... and went back to what worked for me.

Seachem, has a really nice product line. I would recommend them to anyone. Have you tried thier new line of foods yet (NutriDiet)?

(I still have half a bottle of Prime tho, which is perfect for times like these)

capekate

I also like Seachem products... I havent tried the new food line, have you? if you have, do you like it? Im always open to new food for our fishy friends!
~ kate

TheEssigs

No, I havent... yet. I see it advertised in my fish mag, all the time, but I have yet to see it in the store... I am very curious about it.

COBettaCouple

Prime also takes care of other heavy metals. I don't think either Prime or Stress Coat could cause any problems. It was probably an unlucky coincidence. I didn't know about that line of food, but we're also always looking for the best food for our fish and will have to check into that.