BettaBettaBetta
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- Feb 24, 2017
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Hello all,
I've recently set up a new betta sorority in a 29 gallon aquarium. The original set up was just plastic plants and some small caves for hiding but I've recently added live plants and driftwood along with new substrate to aide in the plant growth. This is right around where all the problems with the girls began.
We had a couple deaths prior to this be it's become apparent something is really wrong now. In the past I've been able to diagnose disease in my fish by looking at them (ich or fungus) and monitoring their behavior and we've successfully rescued the tank from ich in the past.
This time is different, not seeing any obvious external symptoms, fins aren't looking frayed, there are no spots or parasites I can see the fish are just general lethargic, lots of lying on the bottom and much less interest in food. I've also noted some stringy white feces - I've heard this may indicate internal parasites but I also read this is usually introduced from live food and I only feed the freeze dried pellets.
I've tested water quality and the strips I have indicate that nitrite, nitrate, ph, kh and Gh are all at acceptable levels. The kit doesn't test ammonia - would this be reflected in the nitrate and nitrite levels? Also if there is ammonia poisoning wouldn't I see more gasping and surface dwelling than bottom lying lethargic behavior?
We've started a tetra lifeguard treatment and we're on day 3 of 5. We removed the carbon filter for this. The fish still seem to be dying and don't seem to be altering their behavior, those that never exhibited symptoms are still ok but those that were sick are still sick and don't seem to be improving.
My general plan is to test ammonia and do a water change if this is high but I don't want to change the water mid lifeguard treatment.
Hoping some more experienced fish keepers could chime in and let me know what their plan would be in this situation. Should I finish the lifeguard treatment? Should I do a water change? How much? Should I switch to a different t treatment?
Before the upheaval and the planting all the girls seemed very happy
I've recently set up a new betta sorority in a 29 gallon aquarium. The original set up was just plastic plants and some small caves for hiding but I've recently added live plants and driftwood along with new substrate to aide in the plant growth. This is right around where all the problems with the girls began.
We had a couple deaths prior to this be it's become apparent something is really wrong now. In the past I've been able to diagnose disease in my fish by looking at them (ich or fungus) and monitoring their behavior and we've successfully rescued the tank from ich in the past.
This time is different, not seeing any obvious external symptoms, fins aren't looking frayed, there are no spots or parasites I can see the fish are just general lethargic, lots of lying on the bottom and much less interest in food. I've also noted some stringy white feces - I've heard this may indicate internal parasites but I also read this is usually introduced from live food and I only feed the freeze dried pellets.
I've tested water quality and the strips I have indicate that nitrite, nitrate, ph, kh and Gh are all at acceptable levels. The kit doesn't test ammonia - would this be reflected in the nitrate and nitrite levels? Also if there is ammonia poisoning wouldn't I see more gasping and surface dwelling than bottom lying lethargic behavior?
We've started a tetra lifeguard treatment and we're on day 3 of 5. We removed the carbon filter for this. The fish still seem to be dying and don't seem to be altering their behavior, those that never exhibited symptoms are still ok but those that were sick are still sick and don't seem to be improving.
My general plan is to test ammonia and do a water change if this is high but I don't want to change the water mid lifeguard treatment.
Hoping some more experienced fish keepers could chime in and let me know what their plan would be in this situation. Should I finish the lifeguard treatment? Should I do a water change? How much? Should I switch to a different t treatment?
Before the upheaval and the planting all the girls seemed very happy