Need Some Help

[MightyMouse92]

Alright..so I got some Angle fish...they have been doing fine for about three days..now they are starting to float at the top of the tank and are "gasping for air"...I looked it up and got an air stone for the fish..its been runnig for about 2 hours..they are still floatig at the top..I checked the water and everything is normal. When should I start seeing postive results? Or is there another underlying problem im missing?
Help please...

 

[Chad]

There may be other problems. Can you tell us a little more about the tank? Like how big is it, how old is it, what else lives in it, what sort of filtration is has etc.

low oxygen content can certainly be the cause but there are other things that cause this as well.

 

[MightyMouse92]

75 gallons
7 months old ( not populated with fish the whole time ran by itself for two months)
1 elephant nose
2 sail fin plecos
5 congo tetras
3 angle fish
Rock bottom
plastic plants
Penguin 350B filter
1 5in Air stone
Feed Wardley tropical fish flakes twice a day
Feed elephant nose black worms
Put an algae wafer in every week
Use Tetra Easy Balance plus when water gets changed.
25% water change every two weeks.
75% water change every other month
Use API tap water conditioner to remove chlorine
I live in Nc and the Ph is going to be high naturally here. Most Fish that are sold here are adapted to this high PH level. (just an FYI)
High Rang PH (7.4-8.8): 8.2

Ammonia:0PPM

Nitrite:0PPM

Nitrate:0PPM

Thats all the info I can think of right now...

 

[Chad]

You're right the pH is a bit high for angel fish. I recommend seeing what you can do do lower that to around 6.5 - 6.8.

 

[MightyMouse92]

ok i'll head over to my local fish store in the morning to see what I can get for it. I've just never had a problem with it..because most of the fish bought and sold in my town are raised locally and have grown up in this type of water..idk its puzzling..and makes me upset..havnt had them for a week yet and they are such beautiful fish

 

[Chad]

Stress is another possible cause. The elephant nose can get a little aggressive so if this fish is picking on the new arrivals it would cause them stress. Do they have enough hiding places? They like tall plants.

 

[MightyMouse92]

Yes lots of places to hide. I have a cave rock that the elephant nose likes to stay in during the day. Three tall plants around the tank. I guess i'll try and lower the PH and see if that helps...If that doesnt do anything then..idk..

 

[Chad]

Well...here's my sum-up if it helps at all.

1. Low Oxygen You added the air stone.
2. High pH
3. Tank mate problems. The elephant nose might still be an issue but the other fish aren't likely to be.
4. Lack of hiding places. Plenty of tall plants.
5. Dirty water. Not sure what your readings are.
6. Just hasn't gotten used to the new tank yet. This could very well be all it is.

 

[MightyMouse92]

Okie Dokie I will try and fix the suggested problems. Thank you for you help.

 

[Chad]

Let us know how it goes and if you notice a change in the fish.

 

[MightyMouse92]

well next day update...fish are still floating and now my elephant nose is too.. gnna get some stuff to lower the ph and change the fiters and change some of the water today. we will see how it goes..

 

[Chad]

When you say floating...do you mean actually floating? Or do you mean swimming near the surface sucking at the surface?
If all the fish are doing it that's a sign that it's a water issue.

I didn't ask about temperature. What's that at?

 

[MightyMouse92]

Update.
the Ph is now a 6.6
And when I say Floating I mean staying at the top of the tank and gasping for air. The elepahnt fish has come down and is acting normal..and my big angle fish has come down and is acting normal too. The two little angle fish are the ones gasping for air at the top of the tank. The water temp is 74F

 

[Chad]

What did you do to get the pH down?
Just checking did you check it at the same time as before? pH fluctuates throughout the day as a result of photosynthesis so it's important to test it about the same time.

 

[MightyMouse92]

I used Ph down solution by API. Two drops for every gallon. I have a 75 gallon tanks so I did 150 drops. Waited about a hour or so and checked the level agin and it came down to 7.8. so I added another 75 drops which lowered it to currently 6.8. Oh I didnt know that...