Help Is Needed

[becky0323]

On June 6th I saw that one of the platy fish we have had white poo. We then tested the water and the readings were:
PH 7.6-7.8
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Amonia 0

We have a 20 gallon freshwater tropical fish tank.
Yesterday, I noticed one of our albino cory cats was stuck against the front of where the filter pulls in the water. We moved it off with the net and it swam away. Since then it is not moving around the tank very much and sometimes is on its side, it is still breathing however. Someone told me it may be due to internal parasites, but we are unsure what we should do. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[WILDER]

How many fish do you have in the tank and which type.
Long stringy white poo can be constipation, internal parasites to bacterial infection.
When corys lay to oneside it can be a sign of a bacterial infection.
Any sores on the belly of the fish.
Corys shouldn't really be up near the filter was he playing in the current,
What do you feed your fish.
Has the corys gone pale or darker in colour.

 

[becky0323]

There are 3 adult and 1 baby platys, 7 neon tetras and 3 cory cats. I don't recall seeing any sores on the belly of the cory. It was on the bottom part of the filter near the bottom of the tank where it pulls the water in. We have a biowheel filter, I think it is called. We feed them the flake food and then the little green disks to the cory cats (can't remember what they are made of since my husband bought it) sorry. Since it is an albino cory it is hard to tell with the color, I don't think it was darker, maybe it wasn't as shiny as the other one.

How many fish do you have in the tank and which type.
Long stringy white poo can be constipation, internal parasites to bacterial infection.
When corys lay to oneside it can be a sign of a bacterial infection.
Any sores on the belly of the fish.
Corys shouldn't really be up near the filter was he playing in the current,
What do you feed your fish.
Has the corys gone pale or darker in colour.

 

[WILDER]

With the long stringy white poo I would try some peas for now.
Cook some frozen peas for a few minutes, let cool down, pop out of shell and mush between fingers into small peices, then add to the tank.
Fish need a varied diet of some frozen foods and veg.
Frozen daphnia very good for digesting a fish food,.

 

[becky0323]

Does it matter that the white poo came from a different fish, or does it just get in the water? We did put some cooked peas in the tank. The other fish ate them, but I don't think the one we are concerned about did. The albino cory does look more pale than the other. It seems that when it swims the side that was up against the filter water intake is not working. The top back fin also doesn't look as full as the other 2 cories. Every once in a while it does move, but at times it is still on it's side or even on its back.

For the future, how often should we feed the fish peas?

With the long stringy white poo I would try some peas for now.
Cook some frozen peas for a few minutes, let cool down, pop out of shell and mush between fingers into small peices, then add to the tank.
Fish need a varied diet of some frozen foods and veg.
Frozen daphnia very good for digesting a fish food,.

 

[becky0323]

Well, that albino cory was found dead this morning. Not sure really what was wrong. If it was internal parasites, how do I keep the other fish from getting it? Also, can the water be tested for such things? Are we able to get a new fish to replace it, or is it unsafe?

 

[WILDER]

Bless him R.I.P.
It sounded bacterial with the cory.
The fish with the long stringy white poo is the anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Does the fish look skinny or bloated.
Lost any fish to bent spines.
I would do another round of peas aswell.

 

[becky0323]

I am not at home to look closely at that fish at the momentbut will and respond later regarding it. We have not lost any fish to bent spines. We can do some more peas. Should we do the regular food too, or just give them peas for a few days?That is what helps if it is bacterial? So it be done every so often even if there are no problems? Can they test the water at a pet store to see if there is bacteria in the water? And is it safe at this time to put a new cory in?

Bless him R.I.P.
It sounded bacterial with the cory.
The fish with the long stringy white poo is the anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Does the fish look skinny or bloated.
Lost any fish to bent spines.
I would do another round of peas aswell.

 

[WILDER]

There always bacteria in the water in the background,.
That's why its so important to keep up with gravel vac and water changes.
Water changes help dilute the bacteria down in the water, higher temps bacteria thrives.
I feed peas twice a week.
Yes you can feed other food as well, don't over feed it the worse thing you can do.
Good luck.

 

[becky0323]

Thanks for your help, it is greatly appreciated. How long should we wait to get another fish?
It has been VERY hot and humid here since Friday, although I didn't think the temperature went too high on the fish tank. I will make sure to keep an eye on that also in the future.

There always bacteria in the water in the background,.
That's why its so important to keep up with gravel vac and water changes.
Water changes help dilute the bacteria down in the water, higher temps bacteria thrives.
I feed peas twice a week.
Yes you can feed other food as well, don't over feed it the worse thing you can do.
Good luck.

 

[WILDER]

I would let things settle down and keep an eye on the fish.
I would leave it 3 to 4 weeks before adding anymore fish.
Good luck.