Fish Dying/water Not Great

[sammclean23]

Hi All,
 
I've had this tank set up for around 6 months:
 

 

 
All has been well however recently, some differences in behaviour has been noticed.
 
What I have in there:
 
18 Neon tetra
2 peppered corydoras
1 Albino Corydoras
2 Catfish
2 Dwarf Gourami
1 African Dwarf Frog
2 White cloud (3 years old)
5 cherry barb
5 Red eye tetra
X amount apple snails!
 
In the past month, 1 Albino has died as well as a dwarf frog. The 2 catfish remain in an ornament until the lights are off and they need to eat. I have not seen the other dwarf frog for days.
 
The catfish were always extremely active which is why it seems odd.
 
I've tested my water (excluding ammonia due to dropping the bottle and its contents):
 
pH: 7.6
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate >50
Temp: 24c
 
I believe the nitrate is too high? It usually is much less.
 
My second issue is that I cannot keep the amount of algae on the glass under control, it is everywhere! Even with anti algae/anti green water.
 
Can anyone please offer any advice before more fish fall ill.
 
Many thanks in advance!
 
 

 

[fluttermoth]

What kind of catfish are they?
 
Frogs generally don't do well in fish tanks. Their eyesight is very poor and, unless you target feed them, they often don't get enough food.
 
Your nitrate is a little higher than we'd like, but not enough to cause casualties.
 
How long are your lights on for?

 

[sammclean23]

Currently the lights go on around 7 Am and are turned off around 7 PM.
 
Corydora Catfish forgot to say.
 
I did notice that with the frogs, I had to target them with bloodworms etc.
 
Thanks for the prompt reply

 

[fluttermoth]

Your catfish are probably shy and in hiding because there's not enough of them; they should be in shoals of at least six.
 
Lights don't need to be on for that long, and that will encourage algae to grow. Cut back to between six and eight hours and you might find it improves, although most tanks will grow a certain amount of algae, it's just what algae does

 

[PrairieSunflower]

What is your ammonia reading?

 

[Noahsfish]

Yeah, I'd check your ammonia reading asap. Meanwhile like already stated imwould cut back on light and do maybe 20-30% water changes daily if possible. How many gallons is the tank?

 

[sammclean23]

Your catfish are probably shy and in hiding because there's not enough of them; they should be in shoals of at least six.
 
Lights don't need to be on for that long, and that will encourage algae to grow. Cut back to between six and eight hours and you might find it improves, although most tanks will grow a certain amount of algae, it's just what algae does

 Right okay! The back wall is the worst - as you can see it is against a wall so very difficult to get to to clean, plus the plants covering it.
 
The catfish were always fine, but then just stopped being as active. They came out tonight for feeding though.

What is your ammonia reading?

I have ran out of ammonia liquid test unfortunately which is why I only posted the other readings.
 
Thanks all for the replies so far!

Yeah, I'd check your ammonia reading asap. Meanwhile like already stated imwould cut back on light and do maybe 20-30% water changes daily if possible. How many gallons is the tank?

Right okay, ill get hold of a liquid tester. 41.7 gallons mate, 190 litres

 

[Meeresstille]

If you had some deaths in your tank without you being able to find the bodies their decomposition may have caused an ammonia spike (causing your fish to act out of norm, ammonia burns their gills and can cause organ damage) and you are now seeing the end result in higher than normal nitrates.
 
Doing a few water changes will bring those levels down and make your fish feel better!  
The water changes will also remove those proteins that are sure to be dissolved in your tank water from any dead fish (frog?)!

 

[sammclean23]

If you had some deaths in your tank without you being able to find the bodies their decomposition may have caused an ammonia spike (causing your fish to act out of norm, ammonia burns their gills and can cause organ damage) and you are now seeing the end result in higher than normal nitrates.
 
Doing a few water changes will bring those levels down and make your fish feel better!

The water changes will also remove those proteins that are sure to be dissolved in your tank water from any dead fish (frog?)!
 
 

Yeah I thought the other frog mght have died. The only reason I spotted the other was because it was covered in apple snails eating the remains!
 
Will get some water changes done and hopefully no there'll be no further deaths!
 
Thank you!

 

[sammclean23]

One of my dwarf gouramis has started hanging round the top of the tank, right below the surface?
 
I seem to think this is not a good sign?

 

[sammclean23]

Sorry for double post, but Iv noticed it has quite a large lump on one side. Read this could be dropsy, but his scales are not sticking up. Any ideas?

 

[fluttermoth]

It is normal for gouramis to stay up near the top of the tank. Is he gasping or swallowing air at all? Have you managed to get an ammonia test?
 
The swelling could be all sorts of things, but your main worry would be 'dwarf gourami disease' (iridovirus), which is very common in them and is incurable, I'm afraid

 

[sammclean23]

It is normal for gouramis to stay up near the top of the tank. Is he gasping or swallowing air at all? Have you managed to get an ammonia test?
 
The swelling could be all sorts of things, but your main worry would be 'dwarf gourami disease' (iridovirus), which is very common in them and is incurable, I'm afraid

 
No ammonia test yet...knew I forgot something when I picked up more tapsafe.
 
Right okay, so apart from change water, there's not really much I can do now is there?

 

[fluttermoth]

No, I'm afraid not
 
It is often the way with sick fish; we've all been there buddy

 

[sammclean23]

No, I'm afraid not

 
It is often the way with sick fish; we've all been there buddy

(
 
 
 

Died this morning bud. Think we knew it was coming, only had him a few week aswell. I did notice the two gouramis were always nipping at each other. Maybe the stress left him susceptible to disease