I am not sure if disease is the problem but PLEASE HELP!

cnat · 02-12-2011, 03:54 PM

Tank Tank parameters:
35 gallons
Freshwater
Heater by Fluval
90 gallon U3 filter also I believe by Fluval
Water has been tested by myself and my local aquarium store and has normal (7.0) ph, 0 nitrates, etc.
Tank has been set up for 1 year 1 month, although substrate and fish transferred from previous smaller tank which had been set up for 2 years
Temperature is steady and within normal parameters
Food: freeze dried daphnia and blood worms for loaches
Planted aquarium- a lot of plants
Light is on for 12 hours a day, there is some minimal sunlight that does come in around midday
Water changes every week
I use Seachem Neutral Regulator and Start Right

Fish in tank (currently): 2 neon green raspboras, 1 Cardinal Tetra, 3 Endlers, 4 kuhli loaches, 3 shrimp, 1 furcata rainbow, 4 blue raspboras, 3 green tetras, 1 jelly bean tetra, some baby Endlers.

Problem: Recently my Endlers, traditionally some of my hardiest fish, started dieing one by one (there had been 12 and now there are 3). I had not added any fish, and the fish I had had been in there peacefully thriving for around 6 months (that was when I had last added any fish). Then other fish started dieing as well: a couple of the raspboras have died, and almost all my cardinal tetras and some of the jelly bean tetras. None of the fish that died had ick and none of the fish in the tank alive have ick. Each fish looks perfectly healthy when alive, and even after dieing does not have any red spots, white spots. discoloration, etc.

The problem is confusing me and my local aquarium resources, first because the fish which have been primarily dieing are my hardiest fish- the tetras and Endlers. And while some of the Endlers were a little older, a lot of the ones that died were less than 6 months. The more delicate fish that I would expect to die first if there was any kind of problem (the raspboras) have had some casualties, byt are by far the lest affected. My water has been tested and it looks great- and I have been told that my shrimps would die first if there was a water quality issue, and none of them have died. At the aquarium store we did more tests than normal to test for high levels of certain elements which can build up in the tank and be detrimental, and none of those tests registered a problem

So my fish are slowly dieing one by one and I don't know what to do! I am not even sure what the problem is! All the fish look healthy until I come home or wake up to find them dead.

Please Help!!!!!

leogtr · 02-13-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnat

Tank Tank parameters:
35 gallons
Freshwater
Heater by Fluval
90 gallon U3 filter also I believe by Fluval
Water has been tested by myself and my local aquarium store and has normal (7.0) ph, 0 nitrates, etc.
Tank has been set up for 1 year 1 month, although substrate and fish transferred from previous smaller tank which had been set up for 2 years
Temperature is steady and within normal parameters
Food: freeze dried daphnia and blood worms for loaches
Planted aquarium- a lot of plants
Light is on for 12 hours a day, there is some minimal sunlight that does come in around midday
Water changes every week
I use Seachem Neutral Regulator and Start Right

Fish in tank (currently): 2 neon green raspboras, 1 Cardinal Tetra, 3 Endlers, 4 kuhli loaches, 3 shrimp, 1 furcata rainbow, 4 blue raspboras, 3 green tetras, 1 jelly bean tetra, some baby Endlers.

Problem: Recently my Endlers, traditionally some of my hardiest fish, started dieing one by one (there had been 12 and now there are 3). I had not added any fish, and the fish I had had been in there peacefully thriving for around 6 months (that was when I had last added any fish). Then other fish started dieing as well: a couple of the raspboras have died, and almost all my cardinal tetras and some of the jelly bean tetras. None of the fish that died had ick and none of the fish in the tank alive have ick. Each fish looks perfectly healthy when alive, and even after dieing does not have any red spots, white spots. discoloration, etc.

The problem is confusing me and my local aquarium resources, first because the fish which have been primarily dieing are my hardiest fish- the tetras and Endlers. And while some of the Endlers were a little older, a lot of the ones that died were less than 6 months. The more delicate fish that I would expect to die first if there was any kind of problem (the raspboras) have had some casualties, byt are by far the lest affected. My water has been tested and it looks great- and I have been told that my shrimps would die first if there was a water quality issue, and none of them have died. At the aquarium store we did more tests than normal to test for high levels of certain elements which can build up in the tank and be detrimental, and none of those tests registered a problem

So my fish are slowly dieing one by one and I don't know what to do! I am not even sure what the problem is! All the fish look healthy until I come home or wake up to find them dead.

Please Help!!!!!

hi there!!! welcome to the forums!!!!

what test kit do you use? what test kit does the store use? neutral regulator is not recommended among experienced aquarists because it makes the tank unstable and it just adds too many additional chemicals into the tank! you have the light on for a bit too long..you should leave it on for just about 8 hours a day..

I wish I knew what was going but Im not sure there are alot of people here with years of experience and your going to get the help you need so dont worry hang in there and do frequent water changes thats the only thing I can recommend!! 40% water changes daily atleast because it really seems like you need it! the best medicine that you have right now is clean water for your fish!!!dont forget declorinator!!!!

remember keep asking questions anything that you might have in mind ask it could make a big difference to the health and well-being of your little fishies so take care!!!!!

Im glad that you joined our community again welcome to the tropical fish keeping forums!!!!!!!!

Lupin · 02-14-2011, 09:07 AM

Good point on the test kit brands question.

Do you vacuum your substrate? How often? Look for possible dead pockets that could release sulfuric smell. That can kill your fish. It's the only possible cause I can think of at this point. Metal contamination is possible if you've added any new decor with metal flecks or chemicals. Did you use anything to treat the fish? Heavy metals are also more toxic in soft acidic conditions.

leogtr · 02-14-2011, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lupin

Good point on the test kit brands question.

Do you vacuum your substrate? How often? Look for possible dead pockets that could release sulfuric smell. That can kill your fish. It's the only possible cause I can think of at this point. Metal contamination is possible if you've added any new decor with metal flecks or chemicals. Did you use anything to treat the fish? Heavy metals are also more toxic in soft acidic conditions.

hey lupin do you think the 90 gallon filter has something to do with it? I mean its serious overkill for a 35 gallon right?..I heard that if you get a filter that goes beyond what the normal requirements are that it can mess with the beneficial bacteria and it can hurt the fish because the intake could be really strong.

Im not really sure thought

have you heard about that?

Lupin · 02-14-2011, 08:19 PM

It isn't an issue as long as precautions are taken. There is really no issue with overfiltration. I don't think the filter is the issue. It has been there for some time so why the fish started dying because of it does not make sense. You'll be surprised we recommend 10x turnover filtration rate for Goldfish. If it's a 55g tank, filtration must be 550 gallons per hour to cope with the bioload otherwise your tank will simply look hazy.

leogtr · 02-14-2011, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lupin

It isn't an issue as long as precautions are taken. There is really no issue with overfiltration. I don't think the filter is the issue. It has been there for some time so why the fish started dying because of it does not make sense. You'll be surprised we recommend 10x turnover filtration rate for Goldfish. If it's a 55g tank, filtration must be 550 gallons per hour to cope with the bioload otherwise your tank will simply look hazy.

ohhhhhhhhh okay. I got scared to get one with huge GPH capacity because I thought my little fish where going to get sucked into the intake. they had the cover but I thought they could get stuck and get hurt

what kind of precautions?

Lupin · 02-14-2011, 11:25 PM

You can always cover it with nylon stocking or sponge. If the output flow is too strong, veer it to the top to disperse the flow, block with decorations or use a spraybar.

leogtr · 02-14-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lupin

You can always cover it with nylon stocking or sponge. If the output flow is too strong, veer it to the top to disperse the flow, block with decorations or use a spraybar.

oh okay a sponge..thanks lupin

Eylisia · 02-17-2011, 10:45 PM

Could be an internal parasite of some type, some of them are pretty much completely silent killers. Did the fishes feces look stringy and see thru before they died?

Btw, 12 hrs a day is fine for a planted aquarium

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