- Have you tested your water?
- Yes
- If yes, what is your ammonia?
- 0
- If yes, what is your nitrite?
- 0
- If yes, what is your nitrate?
- 10
- If I did not test my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
- Do you do water changes?
- Yes
- What percentage of water do you change?
- 31-40%
- How frequently do you change your water?
- Every week
- If I do not change my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
I have a tank with 8 adult or near adult discus. I feed a wide variety of commercial foods, as well as shredded beef heart, and occasionally live food like blackworms. I change about 40% of the water once or twice a week, and try to maintain the hardness between 50-100 ppm. They show occasional mild aggression, but no torn fins or reclusive individuals.
Yesterday I saw a fish near the bottom, tail down, not moving, and inspection showed it was dead! Completely unexpected (by me at least), and evidently very recent. It showed no fin damage or skin lesions, and had clear eyes and a fat, healthy forehead.
Water parameters looked ok:
Hardness (conductivity): 101 ppm
Total hardness by dipstick: about 30
Nitrite: 0, nitrate: 10-20, ammonia: 0
chlorine: 0, pH: 6-6.2, temp: 83
Sand substrate, in-tank foam filter
I attempted an autopsy, but aside from the external vent appearing female, I didn’t learn much. There was brown soupy material in the abdominal cavity, which may just mean I cut the intestines open…
So, I am attaching some pics, and I wonder if other aquarists have had “healthy” fish die.
Yesterday I saw a fish near the bottom, tail down, not moving, and inspection showed it was dead! Completely unexpected (by me at least), and evidently very recent. It showed no fin damage or skin lesions, and had clear eyes and a fat, healthy forehead.
Water parameters looked ok:
Hardness (conductivity): 101 ppm
Total hardness by dipstick: about 30
Nitrite: 0, nitrate: 10-20, ammonia: 0
chlorine: 0, pH: 6-6.2, temp: 83
Sand substrate, in-tank foam filter
I attempted an autopsy, but aside from the external vent appearing female, I didn’t learn much. There was brown soupy material in the abdominal cavity, which may just mean I cut the intestines open…
So, I am attaching some pics, and I wonder if other aquarists have had “healthy” fish die.
