Fish Near Death

[Wulfonce]

I just looked at my convict tank and saw the female swimming around the surface. I took out the air stone to hatch brine shrimp 2 days ago and forgot to put it back in!

I was thinking that there's an oxygen issue but the other much larger con seems perfectly fine. I tested water parameters and everything checked out fine. Next I did a water change and added some aquarium salt. I put the air stone back in and now im waiting for signs of improvement.

Is there anything else I can do? These cons are a breeding pair and are currently raising a batch of fry. I'd feel awful if one died.

 

[Fish Room Plus]

maybe a few small water changs

 

[Wulfonce]

Well shes resting on the bottom now still breathing heavily. Things seem to be improving.

Question: Does surface water movement/disturbance add more oxygen to the water then pumping bubbles into the water? I was thinking about lowering the water level to create the "waterfall effect".

 

[jasoncambs]

Well shes resting on the bottom now still breathing heavily. Things seem to be improving.

Question: Does surface water movement/disturbance add more oxygen to the water then pumping bubbles into the water? I was thinking about lowering the water level to create the "waterfall effect".

interesting ,, i used to have fish swimming around the surface every now and then like you describe , but since i raised my spray bar above the water level i have not experienced it since ,, its a bit noisier but if the fish seem healthier then thats the way i will keep it ,,

 

[bluehairman]

Well shes resting on the bottom now still breathing heavily. Things seem to be improving.

Question: Does surface water movement/disturbance add more oxygen to the water then pumping bubbles into the water? I was thinking about lowering the water level to create the "waterfall effect".

Yes, bubbles dissolve very little oxygen into the water. But lowering the water down to have a waterfall effect wouldn't help you out either. The point is to get more surface movement, so having the water come out just below the surface would probably do you best.
Also adding a bubble wall will help circulate low oxygen water on the bottom to the top and high oxygen water on the top to the bottom.

Sounds like your fish could possibly be stressed out from another fish in the tank. Or possibly a problem that could be arising, keep an eye out for physical symptoms.

 

[Wulfonce]

Yes, bubbles dissolve very little oxygen into the water. But lowering the water down to have a waterfall effect wouldn't help you out either. The point is to get more surface movement, so having the water come out just below the surface would probably do you best.
Also adding a bubble wall will help circulate low oxygen water on the bottom to the top and high oxygen water on the top to the bottom.

Sounds like your fish could possibly be stressed out from another fish in the tank. Or possibly a problem that could be arising, keep an eye out for physical symptoms.

Thanks for the info.



Well shes dead now

I checked her out before flushing her and I didn't see any damage, nipped fins ect. I dont think male aggression was the cause here but I could be wrong. The male is more then twice her size so its definitely a possibility.

They were getting along so well caring for the new babys. The father has since taken over the mothering roll. What a shame.

its fusterating when a fish dies because of an unknowen cause.

 

[Red Devil]

sorry for your loss... very frustrating to not know..

 

[jasoncambs]

sorry to hear the bad news ,

 

[bluehairman]

Sorry to hear that.