Catfish Lay On Its Side

[ratfink]

Hi All, please excuse my ignorance if I am a little vague as I am new to the tropical fish area. Essentially I am helping my lad with his new 35 Litre tank.

We have 6 fish in total, they have been happy for the past two weeks (very new to this) and a temp gauge which is sitting nicely in the green.
the problem We have 2 catfish and the smaller of the two was lying on his side at the bottom of the tank this morning... didnt move for ages then had a little swim (the right way up) then went back to the bottom on his side.. I'm worried that this could be early signs of a problem.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Timelordess]

Hi All, please excuse my ignorance if I am a little vague as I am new to the tropical fish area. Essentially I am helping my lad with his new 35 Litre tank.

We have 6 fish in total, they have been happy for the past two weeks (very new to this) and a temp gauge which is sitting nicely in the green.
the problem We have 2 catfish and the smaller of the two was lying on his side at the bottom of the tank this morning... didnt move for ages then had a little swim (the right way up) then went back to the bottom on his side.. I'm worried that this could be early signs of a problem.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Do you know what sort of catfish?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

can you give us the following information

Tank size:
pH:
ammonia:
nitrite:
nitrate:
kH:
gH:
tank temp:

What you did to set the tank up before adding fish:

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Volume and Frequency of water changes:

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

Tank inhabitants:

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):

Exposure to chemicals:

Digital photo (include if possible):

 

[ratfink]

Ahh right forgot that bit - they are both Albino Corydora, I will have to get the other information later thanks.

Fish Update: Well unfortunately I came home to find the catfish dead... It was still at the bottom of the tank, but completely life less. He has had a good send away. However, for completeness I wanted to put the additional information as required.

35 litre tank (starter tank)
PH: 7.6 - 8
KH: 3 - 6
GH: 10-16
No2: 0
N03: 25-50
Temp: 24c

Gravel substrate - flushed completely before using. Water in with a quick start additive.
left 2 hours to warm to 20c

Sypmtoms: lazy fish, was lay on its side, moved a little like normal, then went back to lying down. the fish was always a little lethargic since we bought it, and I had put it down to new surroundings.

one third of the water changed bi weekly, using tap safe liquid as required

Nothing new to the tank..

Hopefully I have attached a picture of the tank and the deceased. R.I.P.

Fish Pic Fish Pic

Tank Pic: Tank Pic

 

[Jozlyn]

What's your Amonia (NH3/Nh4) level?
Nitrates (NO3) should be between 10 - 20 your levels are too high;
Sounds like your tank's not cycled yet, that's probably what killed your fish (and will possibly kill the other one to). http/www.fishforums.net/Fishless-Cycling-t113861.html

Also, Cories are schooling fish and need to be in groups of 6+, however your tank is not big enough for that many, you should look at returning them and getting something smaller and better suited to your tanks size.

 

[ratfink]

Thanks for the info Jozlyn, I went on the advice of the shop worker - it was an aquatics shop and not just a pet shop, will follow this up with them. I will double check the NO3 level - and I need to get an amonia test kit thanks for the reply