fish seem to be gaspping for air

jasonhoutx

I did a water 15% water change yesterday and did a test this morning. All my levels are perfect (nitrates & nitrites = 0 amonia=0) except for my ph is low. 6.2

my tank consists of oscars and a couple of other ciclids. Tank size is 175g

one of my ciclids eyes have turned bright red. they also seem very sluggish and stay still at the top of water level. Its very strange.

What do I do

Lupin

Your tank's oxygen supply is not enough. It is best you buy a powerhead to create surface movements. Airpumps will also do the trick.

The eyes seem bloodshot. Probably from lack of oxygen.

caferacermike

Second opinion.

Could also be a case of poisoning. What type of water conditioner are you using? Houston has absolutely horrible water for fish keeping. I remember working there and the constant tropical storms would alter the characteristics of the public water supply. Sounds like you may have burned the fish with chloramines. Chlorine or chloramine can brun the skin and lungs of fish and make it impossible for them to respire. Also Ammonia can cause a similar reaction. Burning of the gills can be irrepairable. I'm wondering because of the timing of the water changes. Prime is an excellent conditioner ofr our area. Also Amquel is a good option. both help with chloramine. Most other conditioners do not. Chloramine is much more stable than chlorine and won't leave the water. Most of the Tetra and Wardley's conditioners are just not good enough for TX.

Nick

Hmmm...I'm reading there that you say your Nitrate's is at 0 also? Thats not so good....Your fish need to have excellend water quality and it seems that your tank hasnt finished cycling yet. There is enough bacteria to kill off the ammonia, but there isnt enough to turn into Nitrate's yet. You want any where under 40 for nitrates....Just a thought it may be a typo though :)

bettababy

I agree with Nick, for there to be no ammonia, no nitrite, no nitrate... yet fish in the tank and I have to assume being fed. There is waste going in, I would check to see what kind of test kit was used, and how accurate that kit is. I would also suggest retesting the water using a reliable kit.
I would not be surprised to see high nirtite or ammonia levels to show up on an accurate test. The symptoms you describe sound like ammonia/nitrite toxification. If, on another test, the water stats come out the same, I would ask if the test was done right after a water exchange instead of just before the change or 24 - 48 hrs after the change.
Small, frequent water changes are important, but be careful not to "over do" them.