Okay so I have over a two week period had two deaths in my tank a platy and a female swordtail fish for seemingly no reason. No fish fighting problems, no plants or anything new and nothing real, all water levels are perfect, heater working, eating properly....I am at a lose... maybe someone has something to offer before there is a possible third?
Thanks...
Hmm.....what are the actual levels in numbers? What kind of test kit do you use? If you've got those strips, you may not be getting accurate readings...
How long has the tank been set up? WC schedule and how its preformed?
Did the fish look out of the ordinary in any way when you found their bodies? Or just stiff and unmoving. Notice anything odd about their behavior before they died?
As for the numbers I get perfect readings on all accounts even went to a fish store today to double check myself. I have the API test kit where you test with the water tubes and drops. The tank is about 2 months old, WC every two weeks, the fish did not appear out of the ordinary in any way except the few hours prior to thier deaths they were slow and resting on things and didnt have the need to eat any food that morning hours later floating. No discoloration or anything else however.
Hmm....that is odd, normally Livebearers are the more hardy and adaptable of the fish world....and IME they tend to overly thrive even in unfavorable conditions. Though, just for curiosities sake.....could you post the actual numbers from your readings?
Were they both females? I've heard of Livebearers dying of birth complications and the symptoms sound like those you would find in a female before she drops.....
Oo oh my, now that worries me a little. nitrAtes should be in the 5-10 range. You shouldn't be getting readings like that expect for, like, the first day or two of setting up your aquarium.
Have you cleaned anything thoroughly lately? The tank, gravel, filter, ect.? This could have killed of the beneficial bacteria and caused your tank to cycle again.
How do you preform WCs? How much to you take out each time?
Do you add any chemicals to the tank save for a standard water conditioner during WCs? What kinds and how often?
no cleaning besides gravel vac and as for WCs I take out about 10% every two weeks (its a thrity gallon) so about 3 gallons.. and I do no add anything to the water I buy the freshwater from a local fish store Big Als that sells already treated water and have been using it since day one. i was told my nitrates were fine, though..hmm...
Hmm.....thats really, really odd....especially because you do so small and infrequent water changes and livebearers are messy....
Nope, a well established tank should have nitrItes and Ammonia at 0 and nitrAtes at somewhere between 5-10. I think I'm at a loss here.....though maybe that water is whats doing it?
I'd do a larger WC next time, at least 20%, and use tap water treated with some sort of water conditioner(you can by smaller bottles)and monitor your levels and see where they go.
Thanks for everything I will try that next time....someone suggested possible ich that was fine enough I didn't see since I tend not to inspect dead fish I look at them but dont fine tooth and maybe there was a thin layer somewhere so I treated for that recently figured it couuldnt hurt I will give that a try next time around and keep the forum up to date!
Okay, glade to help and hope you don't have anymore casualties Definitely want to know how things go ;-)
I dunno much about Ich, I've never had it myself, so can't comment there. Don't see the harm and treating for it though.^^
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