Something is wrong with my Algae Eater

[JemZ]

Hello,

I have a 10-gallon tank and one of the fish in my tank is an Algae Eater. He's been acting off recently, but today I got really concerned. Two days ago he spasmed twice, once at the front of the tank and once at the back. Yesterday, he was cleaning the heater but then started to push himself through the gap in the back, rubbing himself against it. Today for about 2 seconds, as he was swimming he spasmed again but this time in an up and down motion. I know that the rubbing could be a symptom of parasites, so I've been treating the tank with Tetra Lifeguard since day one of the spasms. I'm going to clean the gravel substrate this afternoon as well as change the water, but I wanted to see if anyone had some advice.

 

[itiwhetu]

Can we have a photo of the tank, fish and some information about the tanks parameters, Thanks

 

[JemZ]

Just cleaned the gravel and changed the water, here is the info:

Tank Size: 10 GALLON

Fish: Chinese Algae Eater, Balloon Belly Molly, Swordtail

Parameters:

General Hardness: 180
Carbonate Hardness: 40
pH: 7.5
NO2: 0
NO3: 80

I also attached a picture of the tank

 

[itiwhetu]

It would be a good idea to get some live plants, Algae eaters love to graze the algae off them, and are also largely vegetarian so they need plants to be happy. I recommend between 30-50% of the tank should be in plant. The swordtail and molly will be happier also.

 

[AilyNC]

Some floating plants could help with water parameters. Your Nitrate is too high. How often do you water changes?

I would do a big water change to lower the NO3, get some plants - planted & floating.

Then I'd try address the stocking issues as your fish need much bigger tanks. For example a u needs a 90cm/36" length tank.

 

[JemZ]

I do water changes about every 14 days. I just did a pretty big water change when cleaning, I would say around a 60% water change. I am looking into getting some plants and will definitely do so. In regards to getting a bigger tank, I don't really have the space until I move somewhere bigger.

 

[AilyNC]

When testing water if the Ammonia and/or Nitrite is above zero and/or Nitrate above 20 you need a water change. Also recommended to do weekly changes.

Could you swap the fish at your local fish shop for fish best suited to your tank? 10 gallon is a small tank but with a nano fish, or a betta, and lots of plants it'd work very well. It's just not suitable for the fish you have which is probably why your Nitrate levels are do high. It can drink the fish's growth, shorten their life span, stress them out causing more illnesses & impact your water quality.

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