Sick Tetra

[Butters510]

Well, I've had my tank up and running for about 2 months now. I've lost a few fish here and there. I lost 5 out of my 6 clown killifish, but I'm not sure why. They kind of just... went away. I would think it was that my gouramis were bothering them, but they've left the last female alone.

I also lost an otocinclus. He turned a bit whitish grey and then the next day he had passed about 2 days ago.

On to today... I came home from work and noticed I have a black neon who seems to have popeye, very red gills, and is gasping to breathe.

I immediately pulled him from the tank and tested for ammonia (0 ppm).

Any thoughts as to whether this is normal... as in... whether having a few fish pass is just normal? Everyone was doing pretty well, and I think they still are. I'm just concerned that I might have some type of bacteria in the tank and would like to hear your thoughts.

 

[jkkgron2]

Well, I've had my tank up and running for about 2 months now. I've lost a few fish here and there. I lost 5 out of my 6 clown killifish, but I'm not sure why. They kind of just... went away. I would think it was that my gouramis were bothering them, but they've left the last female alone.

I also lost an otocinclus. He turned a bit whitish grey and then the next day he had passed about 2 days ago.

On to today... I came home from work and noticed I have a black neon who seems to have popeye, very red gills, and is gasping to breathe.

I immediately pulled him from the tank and tested for ammonia (0 ppm).

Any thoughts as to whether this is normal... as in... whether having a few fish pass is just normal? Everyone was doing pretty well, and I think they still are. I'm just concerned that I might have some type of bacteria in the tank and would like to hear your thoughts.

Can you tell us all the parameters? It’s not always ammonia that can cause problems but it’s good you for tested it before doing anything

 

[Butters510]

Can you tell us all the parameters? It’s not always ammonia that can cause problems but it’s good you for tested it before doing anything

Yes, I also tested pH Sunday and today, everything else on Sunday.

pH 7.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5-10

Nitrates are always low in this tank because my plants are growing like crazy.

 

[jkkgron2]

Yes, I also tested pH Sunday and today, everything else on Sunday.

pH 7.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5-10

Nitrates are always low in this tank because my plants are growing like crazy.

Hmmm....did you get them from a chain store like Petco or petsmart? I’ve always found that my Petco fish don’t do so well after they go in my tank

 

[Butters510]

Hmmm....did you get them from a chain store like Petco or petsmart? I’ve always found that my Petco fish don’t do so well after they go in my tank

No, LFS. I'm real picky about researching reputation before I buy. The thing I find the most odd, is that they are dying one at a time. Like, one will get sick and die, then it's a couple days or weeks and another one gets sick... except my killis. One day I had 2, then one day I had 1. She's doing well, though. Go figure.

 

[jkkgron2]

No, LFS. I'm real picky about researching reputation before I buy. The thing I find the most odd, is that they are dying one at a time. Like, one will get sick and die, then it's a couple days or weeks and another one gets sick... except my killis. One day I had 2, then one day I had 1. She's doing well, though. Go figure.

Strange...same thing happened with my betta sorority and my guess was parasites because the final two had white stringy poop, do you see any white or clear stringy poop? You said sick but what are symptoms?

 

[Butters510]

Strange...same thing happened with my betta sorority and my guess was parasites because the final two had white stringy poop, do you see any white or clear stringy poop? You said sick but what are symptoms?

I haven't seen any stringy poop. He has red gills, what looks like popeye, and he's really gasping to breathe. Here's a photo. His right side looks worse than his left.

That's either someone else's poop or a plant piece on him in the photo. It's not there anymore.

 

[jkkgron2]

I haven't seen any stringy poop. He has red gills, what looks like popeye, and he's really gasping to breathe. Here's a photo. His right side looks worse than his left.

I’m honestly at a loss, I have not dealt with many fish diseases so I’m going to tag coralbandit and DoubleDutch (hope you guys don’t mind me tagging y’all) I really hope he gets better...it’s the worst when your fish is sick

 

[Butters510]

I’m honestly at a loss, I have not dealt with many fish diseases so I’m going to tag coralbandit and DoubleDutch (hope you guys don’t mind me tagging y’all) I really hope he gets better...it’s the worst when your fish is sick

Thank you for your help. I'm wondering if maybe he got beat up and I'm just over worried. He's not missing any fins, though.

 

[DoubleDutch]

I’m honestly at a loss, I have not dealt with many fish diseases so I’m going to tag coralbandit and DoubleDutch (hope you guys don’t mind me tagging y’all) I really hope he gets better...it’s the worst when your fish is sick

I've no clue sorry.

I'd remove ans euthanise the sick ones.

 

[jkkgron2]

At least quarantine if you can, if not like @Dubledutch said euthanasia my be the best option for the sick fish

 

[Anthony1976]

Well, I've had my tank up and running for about 2 months now. I've lost a few fish here and there. I lost 5 out of my 6 clown killifish, but I'm not sure why. They kind of just... went away. I would think it was that my gouramis were bothering them, but they've left the last female alone.

I also lost an otocinclus. He turned a bit whitish grey and then the next day he had passed about 2 days ago.

On to today... I came home from work and noticed I have a black neon who seems to have popeye, very red gills, and is gasping to breathe.

I immediately pulled him from the tank and tested for ammonia (0 ppm).

Any thoughts as to whether this is normal... as in... whether having a few fish pass is just normal? Everyone was doing pretty well, and I think they still are. I'm just concerned that I might have some type of bacteria in the tank and would like to hear your thoughts.

Just wondering if you’ve got enough water movement in the tank as you say one of your fish was gasping for air. Do you have a filter that’s the correct size for your tank ? If the water isn’t being filtered well enough it can turn stagnant with low oxygen levels. How big is your aquarium and what filter have you got on it? If you have a lot of plants in your tank the oxygen levels can plummet at night time without enough aeration . You say they have red gills also which is pointing to a lack of oxygen. I’d try an airstone if you haven’t already got one in. Your parameters are perfect so I’d try to get some more oxygen in the water, it’s just a suggestion.

 

[Butters510]

Just wondering if you’ve got enough water movement in the tank as you say one of your fish was gasping for air. Do you have a filter that’s the correct size for your tank ? If the water isn’t being filtered well enough it can turn stagnant with low oxygen levels. How big is your aquarium and what filter have you got on it? If you have a lot of plants in your tank the oxygen levels can plummet at night time without enough aeration . You say they have red gills also which is pointing to a lack of oxygen. I’d try an airstone if you haven’t already got one in. Your parameters are perfect so I’d try to get some more oxygen in the water, it’s just a suggestion.

I have a 55 gallon and am running a Fluval 307. I run 3 air stones using a Whisper 60.

 

[Tuesday]

When was the last time you did a water change, and when you do, do you use any kind of water conditioner?

 

[Butters510]

When was the last time you did a water change, and when you do, do you use any kind of water conditioner?

Sunday. SeaChem Prime

 

[Tuesday]

Sunday. SeaChem Prime

Okay so what I would do, and this is my go-to, is dose API melafix or paraguard/poly guard depending, but it looks like your fishy COULD have red spot disease. try furan 2?