SICK TROPICAL PARROT FISH

[GRAVERLEY]

100 LITRE TANK, PH 7.8, AMONIA 0, NITRATE 140, NITRITE O.25, TEMP 78. 3 PARROT FISH LYING AT BOTTOM OF THE TANK, NOT FEEDING AND TWITCHING AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY (FITTING?, SHAKING OFF PARASITES?). TANK MATES; COMMON PLECO AND THREE GOLDEN APPLE SNAILS. RECENT (2 WEEKS AGO) TANK CLEAN AND 25 % WATER CHANGE. AVERAGE 6 WEEKLY 20% WATER CHANGE.
WHAT CAN I DO? PLEASE, PLEASE HELP!

 

[cichlidmaster]

Ok,

If your nitrate reading is indeed 140 then it sounds like your fish may have nitrate poisoning!! I highly doubt that it's a parasite problem. I have seen severe cases of parasite infestation, but have never seen the fish twitching violently. When parasites get that bad the fish usually dies first!!

Start doing 30% water changes EVERY DAY until readings are down to 0!! This should also bring your nitrites down to 0!! Make sure you go into the gravel bed with you siphon tube and clean the gravel of any detritus (gunk)!!

STOP FEEDING YOUR FISH until the readings are down to at least 50 ppm.

Also add an airstone (connected to an air pump) for added aeration. This will help

I don't quite understand your water change schedule. Are you saying you do water changes every 6 weeks of 20% ?

If this is so, then this is not often enough!! You need to do weekly changes of 20%.

If your fish are laying at the bottom twitching, then the water changes should help, but you have to understand the reality is they may not survive.

How big are your parrot fish and pleco? It sounds like your tank may be overstocked as well!! Parrot can grow rather large and a 25 gallon tank is not big enough for 3!!

Keep us posted and let us know how it's going!!

CM