Gasping For Breath

[tomstanks]

I recently did my normal tank cleaning. 20-25% partial and I cleaned my canister filter as well. I did have to replace some filter pads but made sure my ceramic rings did not get bothered so that the bacteria growing on them would be kept safe. I have lots of experience and maintain lots of tanks. Shortly after the partial and the tank filter was up and running again I noticed my Pictus cat swimming straight up and hanging in the water column. He looked awful. My little girl started to cry so I quickly caught him and transfered him to another tank. He almost immediately began to act better. He was back to normal in about an hour or so. The other barbs in the tank were gulping air at the top. The Cory cats acted normal. I tested the water. No ammonia, nothing was out of wack PH wise or anything else. I did a partial again and all the fish seem to improve and started acting normal. After about 2-3 hours they began to gulp at the top of the water once more. I have no idea what to do at this point. I have done partials, tested water, and nothing seems to be helping.

Anyone have any ideas of what could be going on?



Thanks!

 

[mrbonzai]

Just a quick question, but is there any possibility that the buckets you use for water changes was used for something else? This sounds similar to the time my mom used my bucket to fertilize her plants and didn't tell me about it. When I later used the bucket the fish started swimming erratically while gulping air before they died. It all happened in about 5 minutes time but I was using a small tank (55 gallon) and I'm sure that a lot of fertilizer got into the tank based on the severity of their reaction.

 

[tomstanks]

Just a quick question, but is there any possibility that the buckets you use for water changes was used for something else? This sounds similar to the time my mom used my bucket to fertilize her plants and didn't tell me about it. When I later used the bucket the fish started swimming erratically while gulping air before they died. It all happened in about 5 minutes time but I was using a small tank (55 gallon) and I'm sure that a lot of fertilizer got into the tank based on the severity of their reaction.

Well, not likely. These buckets are in my fish room and used exclusively for fish tanks.

 

[shang hi]

how is the oxygination, as that could explain the gulping but then again it did stop and restart.
i do think that the buckets used have been used for something else but im not sure what.
ill have a look up about it for you. and ill respond asap

 

[tomstanks]

how is the oxygination, as that could explain the gulping but then again it did stop and restart.
i do think that the buckets used have been used for something else but im not sure what.
ill have a look up about it for you. and ill respond asap

The tank has a bubbler in it so I think oxygen is not the problem....I appreciate your help!!! My wife just let me know over the phone that I lost four barbs....

 

[Esfa]

bubblers don't affect the oxygen levels in the water by much. Think about it, the oxygen just rises to the surface. It's the water movement on the surface that really matters.

 

[tomstanks]

bubblers don't affect the oxygen levels in the water by much. Think about it, the oxygen just rises to the surface. It's the water movement on the surface that really matters.

True but I have plenty of that was well....

 

[Esfa]

Fair enough.

Could anything have got into the water?

Did you use any soap? I doubt you did but whatever.

Any other chemicles?

 

[tomstanks]

Nothing....i did use PH 7.0 for the new water.

 

[Esfa]

Accidental overdose?

I really cant think of anything.

I would just do a 30% water change when they start to gasp, and hope they soon stop.

 

[shang hi]

okay i've only been able to find one thing so far, numerious people on different sites have the same problem.
i know this is a obvious question but its one that can easly be done. did you add declorinator? and did you let it sit (with movement) and if you did for how long?

 

[Faythee]

Only reason I could find for this is:

O2 deficiency, CO2 excess, tank too hot, toxins, shock

Did you shake the jar of 7.0 up well ?

Would try another water change.

 

[tomstanks]

eek!

Oxygen has to be fine.

Dechlorinator was added.

CO2 excess....no idea how that would happen suddenly.

Temperature is fine.

BUT:

I did forget to shake up the PH 7.0....forgot all about that. Yet the fish were doing this before I put the PH in.

Man this is no fun. Looks like another water change is happening....

 

[Angel_Queen]

Could there be an issue with your dechlorinator as this and the ph seem to be the only 2 influential factors? Silly question, but could it have got contaminated/ gone off etc...

 

[blue acara]

Have you tested for nitrite? This will make fish gasp. It can also make fish swim erratically around the tank.