Sudden death

[Ozkar]

I bought 2 4" long Cr. johanna about 2 weeks ago. I put them in their own standard 55 gallon grow out tank. Fed black worms and rosey reds until I could get them on frozen, pellets, etc.

Well this morning I find the larger of the two dead on the bottom of the tank. Mouth was wide open and the gills flared. No signs of fighting injuries or anything else, except the belly looked a little full as if it had just eaten. The other one looks skinny in comparison. I did just put in 2 halved tetra jumbo sticks the day before; I thought the big belly was from eating them, although I did not witness them eat the sticks.

I didn't have time to check water parameters this morning as the wife and I were just heading out the door for work. I will post back later with whatever I find there. But I am sure ammonia and nitrite should not be a problem (well established tank).

Any thoughts?

 

[Peanut_Power]

Bloat....or something related to it. Some pikes get it, some don't. What causes it is really a mystery in this case, as pikes should be able to handle a large amount of protein in their diet. Possible causes are not allowing the belly to empty between feedings, ie a fasting period. Or it could have been internal parasites. What color where the gills? Possible the tank got to hot or there wasn't enough oxygen. There are several factors and possibilites. If you could get the water parameters it would help out greatly. Also, juv. pikes are more delicate than subadults and adults...so don't feel too bad.

 

[robmcd]

Do an autopsy.

 

[ShadowStryder]

Could have been worse, at least it wasn't a 100.00 species.
Its happened to all of us at one time or another.

 

[Taz2478]

def sounds like the bloat, i.p. issue. did you notice it breathing heavy, not coming to the top or barely swimming around?

I've had a number of smaller pikes do that to me.

since upping the water flow and adding salt ea wk, no probs.

 

[Ozkar]

Well the other pike still looks fine; still eating & swimming around. No bulged belly yet.

Water parameters all looked fine except pH was waaaay low, 6 or less! My pH kit can't even read the real number! My last water change was 2 weeks ago in a 55 gallon tank with just 2 4" pikes in it. I need to buffer this tank! What is the best way to keep this pH up long term? Salt? Crushed coral? Any other ideas why pH would plummet so low? (yes, I do vacuum the gravel with each water change)

I think the low pH may have contributed, but I still think I fed them too often; I was trying to get their growth up so I could add them to a 125 with some 6" PBass.

Looks like I've got some water changing to do!

Thoughts? Opinions?

Thanks guys.

 

[rixy]

put some crushed coral in your external filter.that will keep your ph up.

 

[ShadowStryder]

I agree with the Previous post. I use crushed coral as a substrate for my tropheus and have never had a ph problem for that reason. Have had excellent success with breeding them.
Just make sure you keep checking it and adjust accordingly beings it is a South American tank.
You don't won't your ph to climb to high.

 

[Peanut_Power]

The low pH isn't the problem, as I know of a few people who keep their pikes in 4.5 pH and they are AWESOME!! The main problem is the pH swings...which is why its good to have some sort of buffer in there like the crushed coral. Don't put too much at one time though, as it can be tricky to get the right amount.

 

[WolfFisho1]

could be internal parasites! unseen disease's or funguses!