Mystery Problem...HELP!!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
S

Stace

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Mar 8, 2009
7
0
0
Australia
I wasn't sure where to post this as I really have no idea what the problem is. Here goes...
I have a approx 75g tank set up for Cichlids. I got it back in December. I started off with 3 Electric Yellows and 3 Electric Blues. About two months later I added 2 Synodontis Ocellifers and 2 Bristlenose Cats (not at the same time). By the first week of March I had lost all 6 Electics to something mysterious. About two weeks ago I thought I would start again and added 2 Lupingu's. I lost one last week to Ich which I have been treating the tank for since. Now my last Lupingu is dying and also one of my Syno's is struggling. All water tests have been fine...even when we lost the first lot.
I am stumped as to what is wrong. It's very annoying to be losing these fish...and expensive!!
They all seem to be dying the same way.....loss of appetite, not swiiming around, staying near the bottom gasping, colour change. I don't get it.
My Syno seems limp and swimming vertical up and down the glass in the same spot. It's whiskers (if thats what they are) are also different now, more curled back towards the body.

Well I don't know if this makes any sense or if any one is able to shed some light on this problem. I think if I lose the rest I will just fill the tank with Goldfish LOL

Thanks
 
How are you treating for the ich? If you have raised the temp of the water it could be that they are starving for oxygen. You might try adding more airation to your tank. Normally the fish will swim at the top when this happens though. It could be that you might have a bad test kit and you might have some ammonia build up. What is your water change schedule? Is this a standard 75g footprint?
 
Stace, it is very important to please check out this one. As much as it seems time consuming, please answer the questions found in the link so both you and everyone else willing to help will be on the same page without a flurry of speculations that can confuse anyone.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210102

Couple of points:
1. We need the exact water parameters. Mere words alone will not help us. What test kit do you use?

2. As already pointed out by Lighthouse, how did you treat for ich?
 
Thank you. I might need some time to answer all that. Thought I would respond so you don't think I am ignoring you all.
My Lupingu and since died which I knew. I was using a medication from my local fish shop. Probably not much use mentioning it as I am in Australia. I have just got an email back from my local fish shop and this is what he has suggested:

v\:* { BEHAVIOR: url (#default#vml) } v\:* { BEHAVIOR: url (#default#vml) } Hi Stacey,
Fromt he pictures, I cannot see any evidence of white spot. The barbels of the synodontis would be the effect of the medication, it will heal up in time. The lupingu seems to be affected by a secondary bacterial infection due to the damage done by the whitespot, I would not try medicating the tank any further, just allow good water and time to heal the remaining fish, any further medicating will just put the fish under unnecessary further stress.
I would consider doing regular water changes over the next few days to freshen up the tank (max 30% every day) and feed very sparingly, if at all, for the next week.
I dont think the lupingu has much chance but the synos and the bristlenose will be right, they are tough.

Good luck with them, let me know if there are any other problem int he next couple of days...

Oliver

So I will try what he has said and let you all know. In the mean time I will try and answer some of those questions.

Thanks heaps.
 
Is Oliver a member of any particular forum? He has such an excellent advice and didn't even bother over the treatments which in most cases, harm more than help the fish. If he is not a member, please invite him over here and the sister site, Aquariacentral.com.
 
It definitely sounds like a water quality problem. Your first 6 fish went through the tank cycle and without water tests and water changes when amonia and Nitrite levels spike, it will have a long term effect on the fish's ability to fight disease, infection and future spikes when adding fish. Not being able to tell us water parameters tells us that you don't test your own water. If I have a fish that is even acting strangely, the first thing I do is test my water. Most issues with fish in a new tank are related to water quality. It is very important to understand the nitrogen cycle, this will clear up so many issues for you now and in the future as you get more and more addicted to this Hobby. I would follow the advice you have been given by doing several small water changes with a good conditioner/de-chlorinator over the next few days and monitor the fish. They can heal quite quickly with pristine water conditions.
 
Lupin;3062845; said:
Is Oliver a member of any particular forum? He has such an excellent advice and didn't even bother over the treatments which in most cases, harm more than help the fish. If he is not a member, please invite him over here and the sister site, Aquariacentral.com.
Click to expand...

thats what i was just thinking lol....brilliant bloke rather than trying to palm u off with more medication just to reel in money.

hope all works out stace :)
 
Hi guys,

Well firstly, Oliver is a part of a local forum here in Perth Australia. He has been fantastic through all this. He has taken me through everything to make sure it's all being done properly and so far so good. I do test my own water quite frequently (weekly) and none of my tests have come back abnormal. I even had the water tested by Oliver whilst my first lot of fish were dying and all was good.
When I lost the first lot of fish it was recommended that I remove most of my gravel that I had just to keep on top of any wastes etc being trapped in it. I now only have a thin layer across the bottom....mainly to hold in my fake plants.
I don't have any real plants. I have two big limestone rocks plus a couple of little ones and two ornaments for the fish to hide in.

I have done three days of water changes now and will admit that the water is looking good. I also cleaned just the top filter pad and also the pipes. (keep in mind I didn't scrub these pipes back to brand new, just a wipe though once as there was build up) I didn't clean the entire filter as I didn't want it too clean...if that makes sense.

I have only seen my smaller catfish who seems to be looking ok. My other catfish and two bristlenoses have been in hiding since the cleaning.

I'm quite confident that things are looking up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom