Lethargic Natives

[blurock]

So, I was gone for the weekend Elk Hunting, and I came home to find my large Common Pleco dead, and everything in my native tank but the channel cats unusually lethargic.
I did a 50% water change, and the water is clear, and parameters are fine, same as always. They aren't eating (my perch used to hit silver sides like they thought they were Cichla's) and I don't know what to do...

My poor little sterlet is just sitting on the bottom. He'll eat bloodworms when I dump them right by its mouth... but wont really swim around for them...

I'm about two days away from freaking out... any ideas anyone?

 

[dookie]

any pics?

 

[blurock]

There's nothing visibly wrong with them, but I can get some... give me a second

 

[blurock]

Alright, so the waters kinda cloudy cause the pics were taken after the water change... but its clear now.

 

[oscarcrazy]

Bag your elk?

 

[new2natives]

i'd retest the water
the sterlet shouldnt stop or move slowly unless something is wrong

how is their breathing? labored?

 

[oscarcrazy]

Did something break while you were away? How long do you think that pleco was sitting in there? Check equipment and frequent water changes should clear it up. Good sign that the fish are eating. Bummer about the loss.

 

[blurock]

Bag your elk?

sadly no, didn't even see one. It's been an odd year

i'd retest the water
the sterlet shouldnt stop or move slowly unless something is wrong

how is their breathing? labored?

The sterlet is what really got me worried. The perch are still rather fat, and they can be lazy anyway, but the sterlet still not active just has me worried sick. It will eat, the tank is very well aerated. I'll test water params again.

They arent labored in their breathing, the sterlet might be a little big, but i think it just seems that way cause its not moving and im not use to inspecting it this closely... it doesn't seem labored or abnormal.

Did something break while you were away? How long do you think that pleco was sitting in there? Check equipment and frequent water changes should clear it up. Good sign that the fish are eating. Bummer about the loss.

Nothing broke, the filter was running (I did have one run dry in another tank, but not this one) aerators were all running and they dont have a heater to malfunction...

I think the pleco was probably dead in there for 2-3 days. Ive done another 20% water change

 

[JIM]

you probably just had an ammonia spike from the dead fish and not enough bio to handle it. the water changes should do the trick but dont overdo that, get a bottle of amquel from you LFS and use as direcred, my guess a is little ammonia poisining, should clear up but may take a few days to clear out tyheir system, they wont starve in a couple of days, just be careful not to overload the tank with food they wont eat.

 

[new2natives]

also, be careful with using meds on the sturgeon
i know they can be pretty touchy when it comes to chemicals, but i dont know all the details.
for sure never use any algaecide with them