Help with health issues

[Bluejax]

Hi,

I have two JDs and a female con in a 48" x 15" x 12" tank. Sand substrate, two large amazon swords, plastic pipes, slate and a few clay pots. Filtration is a Tetratec EX600.

I've had a bad run with this tank recently. Lost two EBJDs in the space of a week, then today my big male con died (hence the lone female I have left).

Just tested the water params:

Nitrite = 0 ppm
Nitrate = 10ppm
pH = >7.6
Temp = 25 C

Anyone know what the hell is going on? I want to buy another male con and just keep two pairs in the tank. As far as I know these are great water parameters for these fish, but the JDs and the female con are breathing really heavily and they didn't gulp their bloodworm down this morning like they usually do.

I've treated the tank with myxazin, melafix, internal bacteria treatment and Jungle Parasite Clear (with partial water changes between treatments). I'm running out of ideas here. Please help!

 

[ShadowStryder]

Did the fish that died show any signs of physical damage or visible illness?

 

[Bluejax]

He wasn't too well before he died, had tumour-like growths at base of right pectoral fin, then lost swim bladder control, so was stuck on the substrate for days then couldn't stay upright and eventually died.

The EBJDs got sick out of nowhere, I didn't change a single thing about my tank maintenance regime and had both over a year then they both took around three days to start looking ill and die. Gutted.

I can understand why the con passed away as he wasn't too well, but I'm wondering if the remaining fish are breathing heavily simply due to stress or if I have a genuine problem on my hands. But I can't for the life of me work out what it is. Very frustrating.

 

[pdbrady]

Without knowing what they looked like when they died, it's kind of hard to say. You said the remaining fish are breathing heavily, and I noticed you didn't say what your ammonia levels were. That's one thought. Also, do you run carbon in your filters? I've seen weird cases where things must have just floated into the tank (aerosols, etc). These are long shot guesses, but without having visuals, that's all I can do is guess