Another Dead Fish

[Akasha72]

Woken up this morning to a dead male guppy. So that's now 1 dead platy, 1 dead oto and a dead guppy ... all in 4 days.

I'm currently turning the flat over trying to find my test tubes ... I know what has happened, I used them yesterday, I'll have washed them out and the phone has rung or something, I've put them down and now when I NEED them I can't find them

I think I'll just do a 50% water change to be on the safe side until the test tubes turn up...

Any other advice guys?

 

[KittyKat]

Did you cycle and all that? Didn't use household cleaning stuff around the tank, did you? Did the Oto have sunken belly or did it look fat? Were the guppies and platys adult when you bought them?

 

[Akasha72]

Tank had a fish in cycle and the fish that are dying went through that fish in cycle. As far as I know the Oto's belly was normal, the platy appeared to choke on a blood worm as her death was very quick. The male guppy - I've no idea of his age. He hasn't grown much since I got him ... is it possible this is just a coincidence?

I changed my substrate a week ago and everything has happened since then. I'm beginning to wish I'd left it alone

 

[Tizer]

probably dying because the damage had already been done and it just took longer to kill them off slowly and painfully.

 

[Akasha72]

One thing I did notice when I put my hands in the water to start syphoning was the water felt quite cold. It said roughly 22 on the thermometer which is lower than normal - having said that it was an extreemly cold night here in Yorkshire last night and it's snowing here today. I've turned the heater up now.

I know I joked about being over-stocked and needing one or two to die before the new baby platies get any bigger but it was a joke

That makes me feel so much better Tizer ... it's probably true but I didn't need to hear it

 

[Akasha72]

Do you know what ... that comment from Tizer has really upset me. I've done my best for my fish. When I realised there was a problem I dealt with it ... I spent weeks changing buckets of water despite having a serious health problem that means I'm not supposed to do things like that. I'm still changing buckets of water and I'm testing my water regular too.

My fish arn't dying a painful death because I look after them and reading comments like that - especially after losing 3 fish in four days is really unfair.

I joined what I thought was a friendly forum but just lately there's been some really nasty comments been made to people and it's really not on.

I'm beginning to wish I'd never joined

 

[KittyKat]

What amounts of ammonia were the fish exposed to and for how long? What was the usual? And the maximum?

At the moment, it really does sound like the deaths are caused by ammonia poisoning (the side effects are long term health problems and short lifespan) and there's no two ways about it. If you had never joined, the fish would still be dead now (unless you were planning to do a fish-less cycle and someone here convinced you that it was a waste of time) and you may still not know the cause. Otos and farmed guppies are known to be especially sensitive to things like ammonia poisoning.

 

[moochy13]

changing substrate, if you're removing gravel, can upset a lot of fish waste and old food that has sunk down between the stones. this wont help water quality.

chalk it down to experience, you learn everyday, hopefully for the better.

 

[Tizer]

Take what i say with a pinch of salt If it touched a nerve its a good thing, it only shows you do care Im sure once all the problems are sorted your fishies will have a very caring home

 

[Livewire88]

I heard fish dont feel pain anyway

One of my tetras is swimming round with an eye half the size of its body and it seems happy as ever.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Akasha,

Tizer likes to throw about a bit of sarcasm and snarky wit. He means it all for the best though. I understand your pain, but the truth of issue is that ammonia poisoning has long term consequences for your fish, including a drastically shorter life span. Ultimately, Tizer's comments were accurate, although not worded nicely. I knew how he meant it, because I know how Tizer is. It's hard to convey tone in written word on a message board.



This is a nice board, including Tizer. If you post a concern about something with your tank, Tizer will be there to help out, as will others. If these fish had died while you were still cycling, you wouldn't have had a question regarding the cause. Well, it was just delayed. That's ultimately what it was that caused this. It's similar to a lifelong smoker who decides to quit smoking, then two years later dies from lung cancer. The exposure to the smoke previously is what caused the problem, even though they stopped. The damage had already been done.





Livewire,

Have you looked at that link regarding "pop eye"?

 

[soybean]

Youve always done your best for your fish and listened to all the advice you've been given, and done your best to act on it, even with your conditions. With that in mind, please don't regret joining!

unfortunately, fish can just die with no obvious cause. 3 in 4 days is probably bad luck, not something sinister going on.

Unseen problems from the ammonia at the very start is one possibility. otos are ridiculously finicky - I consider mine well fed with veg and algae and one still keeled over the other night. the stress they go through being caught/bred and delivered to store is incredible - think how nuts they go when you clean the tank. as for guppies, they're not the hardy fish they used to be - so overbred for more brilliant fins, we don't see the damage on the inside. the ONLY male gups alive in my tank are ones born and raised in the tank - I don't buy male guppies anymore, they ALL die.

You'll have to learn not to fret over every death. It's a huge part of this hobby, especially in the early days. all you can do is your best and nothing more.

ps tizer will never win an award for tact or sensitivity, but take it with a pinch of salt, he does come out with pearls of wisdom now and again!

 

[HayzH]

i too in the beginning got upset by Tizer's comments....but ...he's all mouth and no trousers
Losing a fish is never nice, im really sorry for your losses.
You have showed you do care an awful lot. The damage was ultimatly done before you could stop it.
As has been said, without you finding this forum your fish would have perished a long time ago. So be proud of yourself.
We are all here for each other...

 

[Tizer]

Aww, seems i've upset many people I feel really bad now












































































LIE

 

[HayzH]

lol....3 seconds! 3 seconds there i believed you!