5 Days, 5 Deaths

[The-Wolf]

hi
over the last five days I have lost 5 fish
the first to go was a D.erythromicron
as this is a quite delicate fish, I checked the stats
and all was perfect. So I put it down to one of those things.

Second day lost a D.hikari.
hmm something not quite right here, so I re-checked the stats
and again nothing wrong.
I performed a 30% water change, checked filters etc, just to be sure.

Day 3 lost a T.hengeli. Not a happy camper.
checked stats and still nothing showing wrong.
performed another 30% water change.

Day 4 lost another D.hikari
again nothing wrong with water params
did water change and added melafix
this is really begining to annoy me now.

Today I lost a D.fegradei
water params are again fine.
now I'm peeved.

the thing is in this tank
I have proberbly the most sensative fish I've ever owned,
lampeye killies Aplocheilichthys normani, and they are absolutly fine.

all deaths showed no visable signs that anything was wrong, no marks scrapes blotches etc, nothing.
all fish are acting normal and feeding well, there is no visable strings of poo etc. All gill plates were healthy looking, not pale etc.

all test results are the same as below
NH3/NH4 0
NO2 0
NO3 40 (lessened with each water change; now stands at 10ppm)
pH 7.2
kH 5
gH 8
chlorine 0
O2 10ppm
do not have CO2 test kit but have airline running on tank so
CO2 should not be high if even present.


I'm at a loss here, please if you have any ideas let me know.

 

[WILDER]

Have you added any new fish lately.

 

[laurasmithuk]

ive just had the same thing but lost all fish except 3 platties.... my water stats etc were fine. i know how ur feeling as words cannot describe the frustration!

 

[The-Wolf]

nothing new in the last 3 weeks, no plants, no fish, no decs.

 

[CFC]

Any symptoms on the bodies? In cases of unexplained death with no water quality issues bacterial disease is usually the prime suspect.

 

[WILDER]

I agree with cfc, and indication of a bacteria infection can be that they slightly darken in colour.

 

[The-Wolf]

nothing on the bodies.
no shimmies, no gasping nowt.
so do you think I should treat with an anti bacterial?
I have to hand
melafix, FMG (formeldahyde and malachite green) and Myxazin

 

[WILDER]

For now i would just preform some daily water changes and maybe add some melafix.

 

[jungle king]

anychance I could of just been old age

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

How long have you had them? Is it possible they're just old?
Devastating thing to happen tho. So sorry for your losses.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

I doubt losing 5 fish could be all down to old age.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Same, I found one of the khulis dead for no reason No marks on the body, apart from post mortem bite marks, guess I'll never know

 

[The-Wolf]

not old age, most of the losses were less than 6 months old.

Ok
I've started a course of melafix.
Fingers crossed.

Thanks for all the help. I suspected a bacterial problem, but I suppose I needed a confirmation or two.

 

[CFC]

I would dose the tank with interpet number 9 anti bacterial medication, its a two dose medication (add second dose on day 4) so is easy going on delicate fish but is supposedly the strongest anti bacterial medication available without a prescription from a vet. I've used it on a number of occasions with good results.

 

[The-Wolf]

not having that to hand, I will get it tomorrow and use it tomorrow night.
I always thought interpet meds were cr**.