lolamozientuesie

So like 2-3 days ago my molly died.
She just stopped swimming and when I woke up she was done.
Then two days ago my platy who just gave birth died.
Then My swordtail
Then my red wag platy.

Am I doing something wrong?
I mean 4/7 fish dying within three days is not good.

I'm going to go get my water tested at a LFS..
But until then how do I temporarily fix it?

mathas

Without having more information, it's quite hard to know what might have gone wrong. Getting your water parameters checked is an OK first step, but buying your own liquid-based test kit and testing it yourself would be an even better first step if your budget allows. Tests at stores are sometimes done with inaccurate testing methods, or can be seen by some salespeople as chances to push a product you may or may not need onto you to cure the problem (or a chance to tell you your water is fine to sell you more fish).

Until you can get an idea of where your water parameters are, doing a partial water change (or daily partial water changes if you can't make it to the store tomorrow) might be worth trying in case it is a water quality issue.

Were there any symptoms or strange behaviors before death, or did they look perfectly healthy then die overnight?

lolamozientuesie

They were doing just fine, then i woke up each day and they were dead.

eiginh

Were the gills red when you found them dead?

lolamozientuesie

No they looked completely normal. I went to the LFS, and they had the strips that had way to many nitrates and nitrites. So i bought stuff to cure the tank, and to restart the nitrogen cycle.

Shadowbeam

Did you see them 'gasping' for breath or anything like that?

peacemaker92

Hi lolamo and Welcome to Fishlore!

It'll be hard to identify the problem without your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings. With a problem like this, it could be caused by ammonia poisoning. I'd advice getting the API master testkit, the liquid type. As recommended by members, test strips can be incorrect at times. Keep us updated.

AlyeskaGirl

Awww, I am sorry you lost some fish.

I agree, you need to get your own liquid test kit, test strips don't give you accurate readings, speaking from experience. Don't rely on the LFS to test it for you. Since you don't know what is going on, I would do a 50% water change. You can't do harm with that, as long as it's the same temp as the tank. That is the best course of action right now. Also pickup a bottle of Prime or Amquel Plus for a water conditioner. Eather one is good to have for when you are cycling by accident with fish or for some reason have an ammonia, nitrite spike. Don't throw out your filter media, just rinse in a bucket of tank water to get the gunk off when needed. Don't overfeed. Good luck!

Oh, and Welcome to FishLore!

aquarist48

Hello Lola and Welcome to Fish Lore. So sorry to hear about your fish loss. It sounds like it could be ammonia poisoning. I see you've stated the tank has been set up for two weeks then you've stated 2 months. Either way it sounds like you may have lost the cycle or either it wasn't cycled to begin with. Let us know your readings when you can.

I agree with the above posters, a 50% water change would help. A good water conditioner like Prime or Amquel + to detox the ammonia for 24 hours just in case would help a well. (or whatever conditioner you have on hand to detox ammonia.)

If an API (liquid) Master Test Kit is within your means even better. (paper tests strips can be unreliable and inaccurate) If you can't get the entire kit then I would suggest getting the ammonia test for now and the rest later. Each test can be purchased separately.

Best of luck. I hope the rest of your fish are going to be ok.
Keep us posted.
Ken

lolamozientuesie

Alright so I got the water tested and there was like a TON of nitrates and nitrites. I can't really buy the test strips cause they are like 18 dollars per box, and i'm really low on money right now. Uhm, well yeah so I bought a 5 dollar powder that is supposed to lower the levels so my fish will stay alive. I had another casualty today, which brings the total to 5/7 dead. But I hope its getting better.

10gallonmadness

Yep, your cycle crashed. How about your Ammonia? I would do 10-15% water changes every day with a nitrite and nitrate detoxer.

AlyeskaGirl

Aw, I am sorry you lost another today.

What exactly is the powder called that you bought? You need to be doing daily partial water changes too, not just adding the powder. Getting that test kit is the only way you will know what your readings are daily...you test first so you know how much water you should change to get the toxins down. Also testing the nitrAtes every 10-days or so after the tank is cycled so then too you know how much water to change to keep nitrAtes 20 or less.

Good luck!

Shadowbeam

I hope things get better for you and you don't lose anymore fish