HELP PLEASE. TANK PROBLEM

[Howdoiplayxx]

I have 2 large muskies (about 15") one large Redtail, 15" 1 xingu pike 9" and 2 regular pikes 5" and 8". Over night my two muskies died, my redtail is swimming vertical breathin heavy, my xingu pike is layin on the bottom breathin very slowly and my two other pikes seem to be ok. any ****in idea what happened? i am in such a depressed mood. I did a normal water change yesterday durin the day, they were fine thru out the evening then i woke up this morning to see this tragedy...i tested the water and nitrates seemed quite high, im currently doin a partial to save the RTC and 3 pikes....today is a sad, sad day....any help would be appreciated or opinions/suggestions. thank you

(im postin this in several places, i need feedback asap)

 

[Copeina]

Lots of water changes, like 25% twice a day minimum until things get back under control. Sounds like the tank could benefit from some more aeration also.

If you have access to "Prime", administer the "emergency dose" as per the bottle to get your ammonia under control.

You don't say what size your tank is, but I will guarantee it is too small for the mix of fish you have.

The muskies are cold-water fish and likely were already stressed, the tropical pike will pound on one another ceaselessly in any size home aquarium, and a redtail cat produces the bioload of 100 pike. I am actually quite surprised he hasn't eaten your pike yet. Given a chance, he will for certain.

More information is required, but unless you are brand spanking new to fishkeeping, just follow your instincts and tidy things up. More space, more aeration, more filtration, less bioload. Your tank crashed.

Good luck,
/Kris

 

[Oddball]

Follow the above listed emergency treatment for now. Then, update us as to the size of the tank, filtration, and what your 'normal' water change schedule consists of.

 

[Howdoiplayxx]

The tank is 265g. I have been on a water change schedule of twice per week 20%. 3 fluvals which are changed once a month. All of my fish have been together for a while, the redtail cat actually swims with the pike and the muskies all together, the muskies did not show any signs of stress, however i am familiar with the cold water they need and the aggression of pikes towards one another, but like i said they all got along. It seemed as if slime coat was comin off when i pulled the muskies out, however that could have just been because they were belly up for hours. Thank you both so far for your help, more info and input is appreciated

 

[Oddball]

Fill a clean vessel right now with some tap water. When the dust settles on the situation, test the tap water. Weird things can come through your municipal line. I just recently lost a bunch of fish due to an uprooted tree breaking a main and a sewer line. An 'acceptable level" of sewage made it into the main. If it would have been only raw human waste, my bio-filters could have handled it. But, it's all the home cleansers, garage chemicals, and business chemicals in the line that can poison the fish quickly.

Keep up on the water changes (if your tap water tests OK), add prime/chemi-pure, and boost your aeration.

Good Luck in your recovery efforts!!