Fish Death

Subject: Fish Death Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:45 pm

My neighbor next door has been keeping a freshwater tank since October. She came to me for help with this question and I didn't know what to tell her. She has 1 platy, 2 danios and 1 Pleco in her tank. They have all been well since October. Well that list above is what is left anyway. Last week her fish became lethargic and just kinda hung out in the top corner of the tank not doing much. One was a Platy and the other was a Danio. Then two days ago the platy started swimming up and down slowly and within an hour was dead. Today, same symptoms and same result with the danio. We checked her water and the biggest problem I found was that the temp was a little high. I advised her to replace her irratic heater. Otherwise, all the chem levels were just fine. Today the other platy started showing the symptoms of lethargy the other showed a week ago. Any thoughts? I don't know quite what to tell her.

Subject: Re: Fish Death Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:12 pm

It could be many things. What are the water parameters (ammonia, nitrite & nitrate)? Is the tank cycled? What type of filtration and what size is the tank? How often do they do water changes? What temp is the tank at?

I'm not trying to be a pain it is just tough to tell without some of the questions listed being answered. It could also be bad stock from the LFS.

Subject: Re: Fish Death Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:17 pm

water parameters are normal, the api doesn't seem to like to read nitrates below 10 so that is reading 0. fully cycled 10g tank. I hate her water changing system. she adds water when it gets low. It is freaking amazing her levels are normal with the stock box filter on the back. The temp is 82, but I told her she had to bring that down and get a new heater because it isn't staying in the green. It is constantly just a hair above, she said she has to unplug it to get it there and I recommended and inexpensive replacement.

Subject: Re: Fish Death Wed Apr 01, 2009 11:32 pm

That's her problem. Her water changes. Only topping off the tank does not get rid of the harmful buildup of toxins in the tank. I would guess the nitrates are much higher than zero. The nitrate is the toughest test of the 3 to perform based on the mixing and times the bottles have to be shaken for. I'm guessing the nitrate reading is not accurate.

She will need to do more frequent water changes if she wants to keep her fish alive. If she does them now she should do them slowly. The fish have probably acclimated to the high nitrate levels and a quick change of water could shock and kill the fish.

The Turtle Whisperer Posts : 1930

I would have posted about the same thing if I hadn't gotten a phone call here first. D is pretty much spot on.

The nitrates test is a pain. Perhaps pick up some strips to make it easy, or do best two out of three or something.

Other, although less likely things to consider, bad fish (if recently purchased) internal parasites (falls under bad fish I suppose) or dropsey though I mostly see that on goldies.

Subject: Re: Fish Death Thu Apr 02, 2009 12:46 pm

The temp fluctuations are probabally a problem too which can make fish weak....I agree with the above it is prob a mix of high nitrated and a build up of DOC's (Disolved Organic Compounds) These will build up with inadequate water changes and can be deadly to fish eventually. Also is she using a dechlorinator when she does these water changes...if not advise her to get one. Chlorine poisoning could be the killer.

Subject: Re: Fish Death Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:43 pm

Yep, you all read my mind. Thanks for the backup on the info. I already got all over her about the water and gave her a book to read about the importance of water quality. She was talking about adding fish too!

Subject: Re: Fish Death Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:51 pm

Direct her towards FWM maybe we can be of some help also!

Member Posts : 18 Age : 44

I would definitely point to lack of water changes. Temp also. Sounds like the tank doesnt stay at one temp long enough for the fish to acclimate...

Subject: Re: Fish Death Thu Apr 09, 2009 10:00 pm

I am so proud of her! She went out and got a new heater and cleaned the tank with her new vacuum. She has been keeping an eye on the chem levels and all seem okay, she does seem to be having trouble keeping platys though. They all seem to become lethargic and just hang out at the top of the tank. The danios are doing well and she is now doing at least 20% water changes every week:D

Subject: Re: Fish Death Thu Apr 09, 2009 11:01 pm

Good news on the water changes. Platies do like to hang out at the top of the tank but are usually crazy (not lethargic).

Subject: Re: Fish Death Fri Apr 10, 2009 12:12 am

Well, sounds like she is on the right track now. Glad we could help you out.

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Fish Death

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* Fahrenheit - Centigrade Conversion
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* Liquid measurements