Swordtails unexplained death - I don't understand why

[Lyrek]

So, I have lost three RedWag Swordtails in the last month or two. I have had them for several months and other fish such as angels, platy, gouramis and tetras are all thriving. I can't identify any condition the fish have may have.

My only clue is that the swordtails that do die behave the same way. They hover near the bottom never resting on the bottom and don't do anything.

• They have no spots or fin damage
• They will all happily eat when it is feeding time.
• Water changes are done bi weekly. (10 to 15%)
• Gravel vac once a month.
• Temp is 80.
• Other fish thriving.
• Water quality: Excellent

Any help would be great! Thanks guys!

 

[kissofcrimson]

Did they eat? Were their fins clamped, scales upraised, abnormally fat, paler then normal, flashing or breathing heavy?

Usually when fish start to die off randomly (and they've been fine for a while) it has to do with their water or something introduced into the tank. You say you do 10-15% water changes every week? What size tank is it? I would bump it up to 30-40% water changes at least. Have you put an new decor in recently?

It's also possible the platies couldn't handle 80 degrees. I recently lost a GBR and Betta due to the temp being too high, 81 degrees and everyone was stressed for a while there because it was too warm. I usually set my tropical tanks at 78 degrees but the heater I have won't go below 80, so I need a different wattage.


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[Lyrek]

You have gave me some homework there. I thought I had the tank at 80. When you told me the tank could be too hot, I decided to investigate this possibility. You were right and I may have lost 4 fish because of this screw-up!
I put a second thermometer in the tank. It is reading 85ish to 86. I also, like you suggested, started doing larger water changes. I didn't feel comfortable doing 40% so I went to 25%.

The tank is a 20 Gallon tall. Thank you for the advice. I'll bring the temp down over the next couple days and see what happens.

Just to confirm: I have platy, angelfish, assorted tetras, 1 power blue dwarf gouramis and now only 3 red wags. What would be a safe temp that I -know- won't cause problems, 76? 77?

Thanks for the help!

 

[kissofcrimson]

As long as your params are fine and ammonia levels aren't too high, then that's fine. As for the heater overheating the tank, it happens to the best of us and hopefully that solves your problem. I've had my tropical tanks set at 76-78 with no problem and try to keep it around there. Anything below that might be uncomfortable for them though.

Your welcome. Always glad to help.


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