My Girls Are Dying One By One...

[flautist]

Girl #3, Ariel, died last night. I checked them all before I went to bed like I always do, and they were all just fine and acting perfectly normal. This morning, I got up and checked on them, and Ariel is dead. She looks perfectly fine, though. Good color, no spots, no fungus, no pineconing... When Baby died, she was the exact same way.

This is the third girl that has died on me, and the only one who ever showed signs of not being well was Diva. I'm pretty sure she was eggbound. But the other two have both died in this exact same way, and I can't figure out what's going wrong. I did have a slight ich problem, but it was only a couple spots on 2 or 3 of the girls, so I was treating the tank with Maracide, but I've only done the first dose, and that was well after Baby and Diva died. I checked the stats: all normal. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 30, pH 8, moderate hardness. The tank is kept at a pretty constant 78, with minor fluctuations. I have a whisper heater and filter in there. I just did a 1/3 water change 2 days ago. It's a 10 gallon tank.

Something must be in that tank to be killing off my girls like this... this is the third one in less than a month. But, I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[fawnmodel]

There is definitely something deadly in the tank/shared water.

Because they are already ill, even if not showing signs, it makes ich easier to show up since the defenses are down immunolgically.

I would take all the remaining girls out and jar them in clean, medicated water and treat for bacteria and internal parasites. Sounds bacterial tho.

Tear the tank down, sterilize and dry everyting, and I would not set it back up or put the girls back in until two weeks with no deaths.

Sorry to hear it sweetie, but I think you need to stop that killer now. Best of luck.

 

[flautist]

There is definitely something deadly in the tank/shared water.

Because they are already ill, even if not showing signs, it makes ich easier to show up since the defenses are down immunolgically.

I would take all the remaining girls out and jar them in clean, medicated water and treat for bacteria and internal parasites. Sounds bacterial tho.

Tear the tank down, sterilize and dry everyting, and I would not set it back up or put the girls back in until two weeks with no deaths.

Sorry to hear it sweetie, but I think you need to stop that killer now. Best of luck.

What is a good bacterial med to use besides Maracyn? I can get a couple of 1 gallon hospital tanks tonight, but I can't really use Maracyn in them because of it being in tablet form.

 

[Naughtygirlrlw]

I have used Maracyn in my 1g's before, just cut into the tablet with a pair of clean scissors. I try to err on the side of caution though since you can't get an accurate measurement. (no giant chunks) Good luck!

 

[fawnmodel]

you can use the marycyn, you should use both one and two, or use fixmox if you can find it as it is for gram+ and-.
I think this is more serious that bettfix etc can help.

What you can do (my method) is get a 5 gal bucket and treat that water they way you would tank water. Add all your stuff to it. Fill each jar with that water and seal the bucket of what is left. Swap water every day, you can replenish from the bucket.

If you have aquarisol, I would add that too as it might help prevent secondary things like ich from taking hold too. I add two drops to every 1 gal jar.

I know, it is alot of work for a few fish

 

[ShadowMeldFS]

Girl #3, Ariel, died last night. I checked them all before I went to bed like I always do, and they were all just fine and acting perfectly normal. This morning, I got up and checked on them, and Ariel is dead. She looks perfectly fine, though. Good color, no spots, no fungus, no pineconing... When Baby died, she was the exact same way.

This is the third girl that has died on me, and the only one who ever showed signs of not being well was Diva. I'm pretty sure she was eggbound. But the other two have both died in this exact same way, and I can't figure out what's going wrong. I did have a slight ich problem, but it was only a couple spots on 2 or 3 of the girls, so I was treating the tank with Maracide, but I've only done the first dose, and that was well after Baby and Diva died. I checked the stats: all normal. Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 30, pH 8, moderate hardness. The tank is kept at a pretty constant 78, with minor fluctuations. I have a whisper heater and filter in there. I just did a 1/3 water change 2 days ago. It's a 10 gallon tank.

Something must be in that tank to be killing off my girls like this... this is the third one in less than a month. But, I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. Does anyone have any ideas?

Personally I would do a water change. Your nitrates are too high. I had a friend who had high nitrates in his and and fish "mysteriously" died.

 

[flautist]

Every test kit and website I've ever seen says that Nitrates are at safe levels until they hit 40 or above...

 

[Ogrt48]

I don't know if its high enough to kill but ph8 is pretty high for bettas.

 

[flautist]

The pH is always 8, right out of the tap. My 4 boys are all fine in it.

I got some Aquarisol, Marycyn, and Marycyn Two. I have it standing in some water right now along with Maracide and CopperSafe... as soon as everything dissolved, I'll put the girls in.

Should I use some salt, as well? If so, how many teaspoons would I use for 3 gallons?

 

[fawnmodel]

Just put a pinch in each jar or say 1 tsp to 5 gals

Good luck! You are such a nice fishy mom

 

[flautist]

Okay, I added a teaspoon of salt to the bucket, then got the girls settled. Lawan is in a half gallon container, and Princess and Bloo are in 1 gallons. All are doing well so far. Cross your fingers for me.

 

[flautist]

I did my morning check. So far, so good. Princess is a little lethargic, but I think that's just from being moved to a 1 gallon. She was the dominant female in the 10 gallon, so she had rule of the tank. But, her ich is looking better, and she's eating like a little pig.