Dying fish

[R.J]

Hi everyone

Forgive me for not introducing myself as a newbie on the forum but I'm having a mild panic attack here. I just lost 3 catfish, 2 swordtails, 3 tiger barbs, my last catfish looks sick and now Bala's are lethargic and swimming nosedown and off kilter. The tetra's don't seem to be effected nor does the zebra fish or the plecostomus (sp?). The remaining swordtails and tiger barbs are also lethargic. The tiger barbs also appear a little nose heavy as well.

My ammonia is neutral, nitrate is 30, nitrate safe, ph 7.2, temp is 74, hardness is soft.

Fish show no outward symptoms of disease, just did a 20% water change to my 27 gallon tank. Usually do this once every 3 weeks whether needed or not. Added Algae destroyer a week ago, and easy balance because I added the 3 catfish and 5 tiger barbs.

Thank you, please help.

Roland

 

[laboul]

Wish I could help, I just euthanized a fish with the same symptoms, I have no idea what went down! Good luck.

 

[laboul]

You say nitrate is 30 and then nitrate is safe. What is your nitrite? Ammonia neutral, do you mean zero?

 

[R.J]

The color is a shade between 20 and 40 on the stick so I just assume its 30 and the next color on the stick says nitrate safe. ammonia is 0. sorry Im fish ignorant

 

[nshockeyplaya]

First of all incase you didnt know there is a difference between nitate and nitrite. You say your nitrate is 30 wich sounds about right, ok now look at your test kit for nitIte wit the I. Test this your test kit should usually hav a 1-5 ppm range. This could be your probllem. Ammonia neutral i assum means 0. Yea so find out your nitrite, then come back witht the results. Is your tank cycled?

 

[R.J]

My nitrire is 0. Yes the tank is cycled.

 

[WILDER]

Can you give a full list of your fish, as it only being a 27 gallon you should not have the bala sharks in there.
http/species.fishindex.com/species_2895b...bala_shark.html

 

[R.J]

I didnt know Bala sharks required so much space we've had one for at least 4 years in the same tank. never had a problem till now.I guess I need a bigger tank cause I love my balas.

Since last night I have lost my last catfish,two more tiger barbs and another sordtail. All I have left are two small Balas,5 tetras,3 swordtails 1 zebra, and two tiger barbs.

 

[WILDER]

You are really overstocked for the 27 gallon, are you sure your water quality is fine, as with all them fish I would of been surprised if your filter was coping.

 

[R.J]

I have a 2 cartridge aqua tech 3060. water has alwas been clear and Ive never had ammonia problems or any other water problems, I test once a week Ive just now started losing fish.

 

[WILDER]

Have you aded them chemicals to the tank before algae derstroyer and easy balance, what is easy balance.

 

[R.J]

Easy Balance is a water conditioner. Keeps water biologically balanced, stabilizes ph and alkalinity (kh) levels, Reduces nitrates and phosphate it keeps everything balanced. Have alwas used it so its nothing new to my fish.
Have not added anything else but the alae destroyer and I didnt even add the full does of that since the algae wasnt that bad.

 

[WILDER]

Are fish eating ok, not hanging about at the surface,or the bottom of the tank, have they been flicking and rubbing against any objects, any spots or fungus, are they bloated, if none of those in could be an internal bacteria infection.

 

[R.J]

no external signs" nothing " just nose heavy. still eating, not bloated
although the cat fish where hanging arround the top last night and would not eat. the tetras are fine. swimming fine its just the balas, tigers, and sordtails that are acting diferant with thier swimming.

 

[R.J]

All fish that appeared to be sick no longer seem to be showing any signs, they are all swimming fine except the one Bala, his right eye is clouded over, and his scales look like they are molting, not protuding or anything but just like patches of scales are separating from his body. He stopped eating last night, he hasn't eaten since yesterday morning. Is there anything that can be done to save him or would it be better to just put the poor thing out of its misery?