My Two Pictus Catfish Died After Treatment Of Mb

hI everyone
I’m a newbie here and I just wanted to clear my mind on what really happened or the cause of the death of my two pictus catfish this morning. They were still very active last night. My husband bought me those catfish Thursday along with some other fishes. Let me go with my story first so you guys can give me an understanding about why my catfish died. We have a newly set up 55G tank. I started it last week in replacement for our 29G which we started 4 months ago, since we are petting more fish now, we bought a 55G. I set it up with Tuesday last week treated it with prime had the water tested after 24 to make sure my water is okay before transferring the fish. The result was all good without the fish. But the petsmart employee told my husband to put the fish first and have the water tested again. We did as we told and have the water tested after 24 hours again. Test result was fine, saw it myself. Our fish were lively and happy. I have 2 oranda 4 comet 5red wag platy and 3 black molly and 3 guorami. I notice one of my red wag platy has an ich and one of my molly too but They looked perfectly happy with their new home and they are swimming actively. Although I was worried, I just thought I will just observe it for awhile. Then Thursday my husband and his friend bought more fish. 2 angelfish 3 yellow platy 2 pictus catfish and 2 janitor fish. I did the acclimation process first before Putting them in to the new aquarium. They did okay. They are getting aquinted with the older fish and very lively. I was getting more worried after I saw a white spot on my angel fish’s tail so I told my husband I need to treat the infected ones. My black Molly’s gill is getting more silvery.so we went to petsmart Friday night and I show them my fish. They confirmed it is an ich so the staff give me a methylene blue for treatment. I did the first dose of treatment as indicated in the bottle as soon as we got home. Removed the filter but on continues flow of the water. They were all fine and active after that. Last night when I got home from my two days retreat( my husband was taking care of my fish while I was away and they were all fine) I decide to do the 2nd dose of treatment as it was indicated in the bottle for treatment of ich before recycling the water. And so I did. Before we went to sleep my husband was admiring our fish and they were perfectly fine until this morning. I saw one of my catfish in the surface gasping for air. I panicked and texted my husband that it was dying. I did not notice the other one that it died already until my husband asked me what about the other one?
I was very upset to see the other one on bottom lifeless. I’m blaming myself right now coz I might have overdose them with MB as I realized pictus catfish is a scaleless fish. But my husband keep telling me it might have been ammonia that killed them because the water is not filtered since we removed it. What is your thought about this guys? I really feel bad of my catfish. I love my fishes and I always talk to them everyday ☹️

 

Adding more fish to a tank that has an ich outbreak is a big no-no.

You set up a new tank and added fish. It wasn't cycled, and you added too many fish too soon. Ich won't kill fish that fast, but I'm sure you're having an ammonia spike and some stressed out fish.

I don't know about Methylene Blue killing Pictus Cats, I don't use it, but you can treat ich by simply increasing the heat, adding some air stones and doing some really good gravel vacs and water changes every day for 2 weeks.

For the time being, stop adding fish, treat the ich and go from there.

 

I hate to say this but you may lose more fish because your tank is not cycled. That could take 3-6 weeks depending on which method you choose. Others will jump in here I'm sure with more data to help.

 

You actually need multiple tanks to hold the different types of fish you have. Comets need a very large (think 40-50 gallons each or better yet a pond) tank and the orandas also need their own tank. I didn't try sorting out what all you have left, but you have a lot of fish added in a very short period of time to a tank that hasn't had a chance to grow the bacteria needed to keep the fish healthy. You will probably need to do large water changes over the next few weeks.

 

I waited 2 days before putting my fish that I had for 4 months into a new tank. I thought that’s how it should be. And my husband didn’t tell me he was buying me a new fish Friday. Our plan actual plan was to add new fish after 2 weeks but I guess he was just to excited about our new aquarium. I didn’t realized that one of my Molly and platy was having an ich until after a day that I transferred them to a big tank ☹️ The angelfish I guess it has it already when my husband bought it on Friday. I have air stone as well. I will have my water tested again today and I’m doing water cycle weekly. I guess I have to start changing water now everyday until ich is resolve. Thank you for the advice. I’m hoping that my fishes will all be fine. They are still looking active. I’m afraid because we will be leaving for a week vacation next week. I don’t want to lose another fish

Adding more fish to a tank that has an ich outbreak is a big no-no.

You set up a new tank and added fish. It wasn't cycled, and you added too many fish too soon. Ich won't kill fish that fast, but I'm sure you're having an ammonia spike and some stressed out fish.

I don't know about Methylene Blue killing Pictus Cats, I don't use it, but you can treat ich by simply increasing the heat, adding some air stones and doing some really good gravel vacs and water changes every day for 2 weeks.

For the time being, stop adding fish, treat the ich and go from there.

I hate to say this but you may lose more fish because your tank is not cycled. That could take 3-6 weeks depending on which method you choose. Others will jump in here I'm sure with more data to help.

☹️ I’m doing a weekly water change. Don’t want to lose another fish

Btw. How high should I set my heater on for the treatment of ich? Right it is on 80


QUOTE="DuaneV, post: 3815861, member: 85990"]Adding more fish to a tank that has an ich outbreak is a big no-no.

You set up a new tank and added fish. It wasn't cycled, and you added too many fish too soon. Ich won't kill fish that fast, but I'm sure you're having an ammonia spike and some stressed out fish.

I don't know about Methylene Blue killing Pictus Cats, I don't use it, but you can treat ich by simply increasing the heat, adding some air stones and doing some really good gravel vacs and water changes every day for 2 weeks.

For the time being, stop adding fish, treat the ich and go from there.[/QUOTE]
Btw

I have a 55 gallon tank and I only have 2 orandas 4 comets 5red wag platy 3 yellow platy 3 guoramis 3 black mollies and 2 janitor in my fish tank right now. I had the orandas guoramis and black mollies for over 4 months now. The rest was added on Friday 4 days after I set up a new tank for them. Will start water changing today. Thank you for the advice

QUOTE="Galathiel, post: 3815911, member: 90423"]You actually need multiple tanks to hold the different types of fish you have. Comets need a very large (think 40-50 gallons each or better yet a pond) tank and the orandas also need their own tank. I didn't try sorting out what all you have left, but you have a lot of fish added in a very short period of time to a tank that hasn't had a chance to grow the bacteria needed to keep the fish healthy. You will probably need to do large water changes over the next few weeks.[/QUOTE]

 

80 degrees should be fine, just keep an eye on the goldfish as that is a bit above their temperature range and make sure you have plenty of aeration.
Paraguard is also an effective ich treatment.

Keep dosing prime, add seachem stability and do regular wc and that should keep your fish safe. I would also get a water testing kit so you can monitor your water parameters.

Do you still have the filter media of your 29g? If so add it to the filter of your 55 gallon as that will help it cycle. When medicating you don't have to remove your filter, just the carbon in it if it has
some.

As an aside, I would recommend moving the angels to the 29 gallon as they prefer warmer water when compared to the goldfish. They also prefer softer/more acidic water. They can also be very aggressive and nippy so best to separate them from the other fish or keep a very close eye on it.

I'd also get another filter for your 55g, preferably one suited to an 80 or 100 gallon to cope with all the waste the goldfish are producing.

Hope this helps

 

Yes I still have my 29 G filter and I was just thinking of doing that. I have 2 air stone as well do I have to remove the infected fish and treat them separately? While treating the whole tank? I just removed the carbon when I treated the tank with methylene blue. And aside from adding prime to the water I also added salt to it. I read aquarium salt is good for the fish... is it right? Thank you.

QUOTE="Fawkes21, post: 3816176, member: 103756"]80 degrees should be fine, just keep an eye on the goldfish as that is a bit above their temperature range and make sure you have plenty of aeration.
Paraguard is also an effective ich treatment.

Keep dosing prime, add seachem stability and do regular wc and that should keep your fish safe. I would also get a water testing kit so you can monitor your water parameters.

Do you still have the filter media of your 29g? If so add it to the filter of your 55 gallon as that will help it cycle. When medicating you don't have to remove your filter, just the carbon in it if it has
some.

As an aside, I would recommend moving the angels to the 29 gallon as they prefer warmer water when compared to the goldfish. They also prefer softer/more acidic water. They can also be very aggressive and nippy so best to separate them from the other fish or keep a very close eye on it.

I'd also get another filter for your 55g, preferably one suited to an 80 or 100 gallon to cope with all the waste the goldfish are producing.

Hope this helps [/QUOTE]
Ur

 

Yes I still have my 29 G filter and I was just thinking of doing that. I have 2 air stone as well do I have to remove the infected fish and treat them separately? While treating the whole tank? I just removed the carbon when I treated the tank with methylene blue. And aside from adding prime to the water I also added salt to it. I read aquarium salt is good for the fish... is it right? Thank you.

QUOTE="Fawkes21, post: 3816176, member: 103756"]80 degrees should be fine, just keep an eye on the goldfish as that is a bit above their temperature range and make sure you have plenty of aeration.
Paraguard is also an effective ich treatment.

Keep dosing prime, add seachem stability and do regular wc and that should keep your fish safe. I would also get a water testing kit so you can monitor your water parameters.

Do you still have the filter media of your 29g? If so add it to the filter of your 55 gallon as that will help it cycle. When medicating you don't have to remove your filter, just the carbon in it if it has
some.

As an aside, I would recommend moving the angels to the 29 gallon as they prefer warmer water when compared to the goldfish. They also prefer softer/more acidic water. They can also be very aggressive and nippy so best to separate them from the other fish or keep a very close eye on it.

I'd also get another filter for your 55g, preferably one suited to an 80 or 100 gallon to cope with all the waste the goldfish are producing.

Hope this helps

Ur[/QUOTE]Salt is good for fish and will help with the ich.

Ich is contagious so I would treat the whole tank. Should clear up in about 2 week. Might get worse before it gets better and some fish do develop a red 'rash on the body/fI ', but that's the just the ich falling off.

If you see a fish develop a secondary infection then quarantine but otherwise you should be OK.

 

Thank you! I’m seeing that my red wag platy’s scale that ha an ich is falling off. I guess the treatment is working. No other fish is infected so far. I just felt really bad with my pictus catfish that died. They were not infected though

 

I suggest getting your own test kit and monitoring your water on your own. It is likely that you have ammonia and nitrites because the fish were added before the tank was cycled. You should also read up on the nitrogen cycle. It's extremely important when setting up a new tank.

 

(If you click cycle, it will link you to an article that will be helpful.)

 

HI jellibeen
My tank was cycle 24 hours before I put them on. I had my water tested 24 hours before I put them on and another test was done after I put them for 24 hours. Both results came out good. Yeah I will be buying my own testing kit. Thank u so much! I will surely read the articles about nitrogen cycle. Really appreciate the advice

 

I don't think your tank was properly cycled, unless I am misunderstanding something. Twenty four hours is not near enough time to cycle a tank. Cycling refers to building up beneficial bacteria. Basically, fish poop creates ammonia. Bacteria converts ammonia into nitrite, and then nitrite into nitrate. Water changes remove the nitrates. A tank needs that bacteria to be established because ammonia is deadly to fish. I hope that is helpful! I am sure the articles will do a better job than me at explaining it.

 

First welcome to fishlore . Now your tank; great looking by the way . Besides the ick you’ve got some problems. Pictus cats are not beginner fish. They need an established tank. The stress the medication or the ick could have killed them. If there’s ammonia in the tank that also would do them in.
This is done by many beginners. First I would return one group of fish or the other. Either all the goldfish type fish or all the others. They need different water temps. Goldfish cold the others hotter.
Now for the ick as been said already raise the temp this kills the swimming ick. Next gravel vac. the tank removing at least 20 gal a day. If you can do 10gal twice a day that’s better. The gravel vacuuming will remove the ick eggs. Those are the white dots on the fish. Each egg contains hundreds of swimming ick (that the heat is killing). Also continue with the salt. Now this is going to take at least 2 weeks to get rid of. If you are going away I would invest in a uv steralizer. This device also kills ick in the swimming form.

 

To deal with the ich, the water will need to be near 86-88 for 2 weeks straight. Raise it slowly over the course of a day. You will want to remove and clean any decorations and keep them out white treating the tank. Vacuum the gravel WELL every day and do 50% water changes. Be sure to add plenty of extra air stones for extra surface agitation as warmer water is less oxygenated and its believed ich actually kills fish by attaching to their gills and suffocating them. While the white dot is on the fish its feeding as a parasite. It will drop off and reproduce, NOT die, so a good vacuuming every day will help remove them.

 

Thank you. It was ammonia that killed my two pictus . I had my water check and ammonia was high. It was in a stress level. I’m doing my water change everyday and vacuuming to get rid of the ich. Observing my fishes everyday and they seems to be okay.I have another worry though. Their poop is white! And I read it could be parasite.

First welcome to fishlore . Now your tank; great looking by the way . Besides the ick you’ve got some problems. Pictus cats are not beginner fish. They need an established tank. The stress the medication or the ick could have killed them. If there’s ammonia in the tank that also would do them in.
This is done by many beginners. First I would return one group of fish or the other. Either all the goldfish type fish or all the others. They need different water temps. Goldfish cold the others hotter.
Now for the ick as been said already raise the temp this kills the swimming ick. Next gravel vac. the tank removing at least 20 gal a day. If you can do 10gal twice a day that’s better. The gravel vacuuming will remove the ick eggs. Those are the white dots on the fish. Each egg contains hundreds of swimming ick (that the heat is killing). Also continue with the salt. Now this is going to take at least 2 weeks to get rid of. If you are going away I would invest in a uv steralizer. This device also kills ick in the swimming form.

T

Thank you. I have an air stone working already.

To deal with the ich, the water will need to be near 86-88 for 2 weeks straight. Raise it slowly over the course of a day. You will want to remove and clean any decorations and keep them out white treating the tank. Vacuum the gravel WELL every day and do 50% water changes. Be sure to add plenty of extra air stones for extra surface agitation as warmer water is less oxygenated and its believed ich actually kills fish by attaching to their gills and suffocating them. While the white dot is on the fish its feeding as a parasite. It will drop off and reproduce, NOT die, so a good vacuuming every day will help remove them.

 

Thank you. It was ammonia that killed my two pictus . I had my water check and ammonia was high. It was in a stress level. I’m doing my water change everyday and vacuuming to get rid of the ich. Observing my fishes everyday and they seems to be okay.I have another worry though. Their poop is white! And I read it could be parasite.

T

I am not surprised that petsmart told you your water was good before you added fish. There is no ammonia being produced when there are no fish. So now you have an ammonia spike because you added a TON of messy fish into a completely uncycled tank.

And yes, white poop is an indication of parasites. Which your fish could succumb to very quickly in combination with high ammonia levels. I would return at least half the fish and do daily water changes until your tank is cycled.

I

I have a 55 gallon tank and I only have 2 orandas 4 comets 5red wag platy 3 yellow platy 3 guoramis 3 black mollies and 2 janitor in my fish tank right now. I had the orandas guoramis and black mollies

Regarding the above quote....the fact that you say that in your 55 gallon you "only have" all the fish you listed.....concerns me. Your tank is WAY WAY overstocked. The word "only" sounds like you have this impression that you can get even MORE. Your list above doesn't even include the two angelfish you mentioned in the first post.

I don't mean to harp on your stocking....but do you know how big comet goldfish get? We are talking like a foot long. They do better in ponds or huge tanks MUCH larger than 55. And have you FOUR of them!

And what exactly is a "janitor fish"? I am concerned that you are talking about common plecos.....And that makes your situation even scarier!! They also get like 2 feet long and need MONSTER tanks and are some of the messiest fish out there.

You have gotten lots of good advice, but really....with 4 comet goldfish and 3 orandas in a 55 gallon AND another 18 fish on top of that...you are fighting a losing battle. And I genuinely want you to succeed!! I suggest you rehome all the goldfish. Or keep just the orandas and rehome everything else. You shouldn't keep tropical fish and coldwater fish together. What temp are you keeping this tank full time?

I am so sorry to be so blunt...but I really think you should rehome the comets and decide if you want the coldwater fish (3 orandas) or the tropical fish (everything else)

I know your focus right now is trying to make the fish well.....but with the stock you just added at one time, the ammonia will literally be off the charts in no time. If it hasn't already. This has already led to secondary issues like ich and internal parasites and you are just starting this tank. I am sorry, but I feel like you might be fighting a losing battle if you don't cut that stock down quite a bit. :-(

 

I had my water tested as well after I put my fish for 24 hours and yes I have the idea of how long comet and orandas can grow petsmart employee told us and we do our research too before we bought it. They are our first fish plus one black molly. I had them for 4 months before I transferred them to a new tank. My husband was too excited that he and his friend bought me a couple of different species which I have no idea of. I cannot return the fish so I added them to the tank one at a time after Ofcourse the process of acclimation.
Thank you so much for the advice. I’m doing my treatment for them plus everyday water changing. Ammonia level is at 0.5 So far my fish are all fine and I can see the ich infection from one of my platys is fading. Janitor fish/ sucker mouth catfish/plecostomus. They’re algae eater.

QUOTE="bizaliz3, post: 3820714, member: 44680"]I am not surprised that petsmart told you your water was good before you added fish. I mean.....obviously!!! There is no ammonia being produced when there are no fish. So now you have an ammonia spike because you added a TON of messy fish into a completely uncycled tank.

And yes, white poop is an indication of parasites. Which your fish are probably going to succumb to very quickly in combination with high ammonia levels. I would return at least half the fish and do daily water changes until your tank is cycled.



Regarding the above quote....the fact that you say that in your 55 gallon you "only have" all the fish you listed.....that tells me you haven't done your research on the fish you are choosing. Your tank is WAY WAY overstocked. So using the word "ONLY" concerns me.....that sounds like you have this impression that you can get even MORE. Your list above doesn't even include the two angelfish you mentioned in the first post and it is already terrible.

I don't mean to harp on your stocking....but do you know how big comet goldfish get? We are talking like a foot long. They do better in ponds or huge tanks MUCH larger than 55. And have you FOUR of them!!!

And what exactly is a "janitor fish"??? I am concerned that you are talking about common plecos.....And that makes your situation even scarier!! They also get like 2 feet long and need MONSTER tanks and are some of the messiest fish out there.

You have gotten lots of good advice, but really....with 4 comet goldfish and 3 orandas in a 55 gallon AND another 18 fish on top of that...you are fighting a losing battle. I suggest you rehome all the goldfish. Or keep just the orandas and rehome everything else. You shouldn't keep tropical fish and coldwater fish together. What temp are you keeping this tank full time?

Sorry to be so blunt....but if you care about those fish, you will take my advice. First and foremost...rehome the comets and decide if you want the coldwater fish (3 orandas) or the tropical fish (everything else)

I know your focus right now is trying to make the fish well.....but with the stock you just added at one time, the ammonia will literally be off the charts in no time. If it hasn't already. This has already led to secondary issues like ich and internal parasites and you are just starting this tank. I am sorry, but you are fighting a losing battle. Be prepared to lose many more than just those pictus cats if you don't intervene.[/QUOTE]

 

Actually, do you understand what the term cycled actually means? Serious question. Not everyone has the same idea. You cannot cycle a tank in 24 hours. If you mean you 'circulated' your water .. that does nothing to prepare your tank to handle the bioload of fish. Maybe read more about the nitrogen cycle. Click on the blue link to read about it.

If you did your research, then why did you go ahead and buy the comets?

 

With 4 comet goldfish, 3 oranda goldfish, 2 common plecos (I had a feeling that is what you meant my janitor fish and that makes your situation much worse) 2 angelfish, 8 platies, 3 gouramis and 3 mollies in an uncycled 55 gallon.....it is very likely that you that you are going to have mass deaths! And If that is a gamble you are willing to take, then that's on you! I wish you the best. I truly do.

 

HI there, fairly new to the forum here but not totally new to fish keeping. I haven't personally kept many of the fish you have but even I can see that a) that is an eclectic group of fish you got there and b) its quite a few. I agree with pretty much everything that's been said here. If nothing else (because I agree with bizaliz3, you seem pretty resistant to the concept of "too many fish") I would definitely say move the tropical fish back to your 29 gallon or vise versa. Those goldfish like the cold too much to be in a tank with the others. Maybe look up good tank mates for goldfish if you really want them to have friends. Also, remember that petsmart is in the business of SELLING! that is their main priority. They do not have the same ethics that breeders do. Additionally, half the people who work there are just thrown into whatever department they are needed in and don't have the wisdom that these people here are giving to you!
When I think of getting a new fish I probably over research it. I go on google and I read everything I can get my hands on just about. I also slowly accumulate the things I need for my tank before I even think of getting fish. (this is partially for financial reasons) I find that this helps me really get my ducks in a row and everything settled before I add fish and stops me from getting ahead of myself in my excitement.
Think of it this way, why would you spend all that money (because lets face it, good fish are pricey as is all the equipment) just to flush it down the drain..literally..then have to spend more to replace what is lost (in this case DONT replace them!)

Despite what it seems, no one here is trying to shame you or anything like that. Everyone is just trying to ensure you get the Correct information and that you practice good fish keeping habits.

Side note: Janitor fish could refer to a variety of fish so would def recommend just naming the fish next time.

 

I appreciate all the info/ comment that I get from here. I just started 6 months ago so I have yet a lot to learn about keeping a fish. That’s the reason why I come into this forum. To learn and get info as much as I could. I do research on google but I believe that information from those who have experience in fish keeping can be more accurate. Again, I’m here to learn

 

Thank you. Yes I’m doing the water changing daily and have put my oranda and comet to a different tank. Al though they seems to be doing okay with the 80f temperature. Buts just to make sure, I had them on different tank now.
Really appreciate the advice .
QUOTE="86 ssinit, post: 3816512, member: 93230"]First welcome to fishlore . Now your tank; great looking by the way . Besides the ick you’ve got some problems. Pictus cats are not beginner fish. They need an established tank. The stress the medication or the ick could have killed them. If there’s ammonia in the tank that also would do them in.
This is done by many beginners. First I would return one group of fish or the other. Either all the goldfish type fish or all the others. They need different water temps. Goldfish cold the others hotter.
Now for the ick as been said already raise the temp this kills the swimming ick. Next gravel vac. the tank removing at least 20 gal a day. If you can do 10gal twice a day that’s better. The gravel vacuuming will remove the ick eggs. Those are the white dots on the fish. Each egg contains hundreds of swimming ick (that the heat is killing). Also continue with the salt. Now this is going to take at least 2 weeks to get rid of. If you are going away I would invest in a uv steralizer. This device also kills ick in the swimming form.[/QUOTE]

 

I have read the nitrogen cycle. I have my comet and oranda for 6 months already. They are my first fish plus one black molly.why did I bought them despite of knowing that they can grow as 12inches long? Hhhmmm because I like them! I love how they look and how gracefully the orandas swim that’s why I bought them.we all have different favorite fish aren’t we? It just so happen that mine is goldfish.the other fishes in my tank?? My husband bought them without me knowing. Just Incase you want to follow up question why I have them

Actually, do you understand what the term cycled actually means? Serious question. Not everyone has the same idea. You cannot cycle a tank in 24 hours. If you mean you 'circulated' your water .. that does nothing to prepare your tank to handle the bioload of fish. Maybe read more about the nitrogen cycle. Click on the blue link to read about it.

If you did your research, then why did you go ahead and buy the comets?

 

I have favorite fish ... I love goldfish as well <---- .. that's why I have one tank with 3 fancies, one of which is blind. I love comets, but don't have the space to provide them the space they need to thrive and grow to their full potential ... so I don't have them. *shrug*

Good luck to you.

 

I suggest getting your own test kit and monitoring your water on your own. It is likely that you have ammonia and nitrites because the fish were added before the tank was cycled. You should also read up on the nitrogen cycle. It's extremely important when setting up a new tank.

HI jelibeen. I already bought a test kit on Monday and I’ve been monitoring my water. So far the ammonia level is 0.5 and 0 nitrites. But the ammonia has to be on 0 level to be safe right? Thank you ☺️