RTS Dying

[Slightly Psycho Aquatics]

Ok, so a few weeks ago I had a gold barb die of old age. This week I come back from a trip to find my RTS with some minor fin damage and a weird swimming style. The next day, movement was at a minimum and he was floating at an angle with his head facing the ground. I did a large water change that day and got my water tested a few hours later. Ammonia - 0 ; Nitrate - 20 (safe) ; Nitrite - 0 ; Hardness - 75 ; Chlorine - 0 ; Alkalinity - 0 ; pH - 6.2 . (Colorado water typically has low pH and Alkalinity. This morning my RTS is floating around the tank, I just put him in a breeding box/net. He is floating upside-down, with his head at the surface. His breathing is slightly rapid (not as rapid as it was yesterday). He's about 3 years old and at his max size. Also, this happened after I got back from a week-long trip, there was an automatic fish feeder running then. Any help is welcome, I don't want to lose this fish.

 

[Cabie]

Your alkalinity should never be at 0, that would make your pH very unstable and pH swings can be deadly. You can add sodium bicarbonate to raise your alkalinity. It will also raise your pH, so add only a small amount per day to avoid raising the pH too quickly.
1 gram of sodium bicarbonate in 50 liters will raise the KH by about 0.8 dKH.
A KH of at least 2 or 3 dKH (40 - 50 mg/l) will keep your pH more stable.

 

[Slightly Psycho Aquatics]

 

[Slightly Psycho Aquatics]

He just passed. I don't know if you can tell by the picture, but the areas surrounding his belly and dorsal fin have gone pale. I've also done a hands-on examination and his scales aren't sticking out like they would if he had dropsy.

 

[tigerbob]

Red tail shark can live a bit longer than 3 years. The shape of its body does look like dropsy as they are normally not so plump. I've no idea what may have caused that though.

 

[Slightly Psycho Aquatics]

I was thinking dropsy as well, but I've heard that fish with dropsy are supposed to have similar resemblance to a pine cone. Or is that just for other species? I was also thinking maybe swim bladder disorder or an injury.

 

[tigerbob]

Yes they should be but with fish that has small scales it may not look very obvious. It is possible that when you were away from home there was a power outage and the heater didn't work for a period of time. Other than that i can't think of anything since the water looks good. Hope the other fishes in your tank will be doing well.