After Effects

[Lolly123]

Hi all,

Im thinking that im starting to see the after effects of the huge nitrite spike my mothers tank had about 2-3 weeks ago. We never lost any of the fish, but I expected a consequence. The bolivian ram is acting quite scatty, darting at times and flicking, he is the only one I can see doing it, he looks a bit pale, I suspect gill flukes or something along those lines. We have had him for about 18 months and never seen him do that before. The only problem we had with him a long time ago was bullying, he suffered an injury to his gill area, which has remained red for the time we have had him( bully was removed as soon as we noticed). He was always swimming well and eating well, I kept an eye on him in case it was disease but all seemed okay for a very long time. Until now.

Tank 220L
Ammonia is 0
Nitrite is 0
Nitrate ? (test kit mum doesnt have)
PH is 7.8 somewhat too high for this species?

I perform 25-30% water changes weekly with gravel vac and such.

He is still eating but I wanted some advice on a salt bath, I know there a posts on here with that advice but just need some quick advice. What type of salt, how much and will it be beneficial for him or just cause more stress?

Thanks

 

[WILDER]

Has he lost weight.
Any excess mucas on the gills or body of the fish.
Any red sores or red pin prick marks.
Is there a greyish film, or blue film on the fish.
Any signs of a gold dusting, rusty colour varnish on the fish.
Does the fish swim in a jerky movement.
What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.
Is the anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Any signs of laboured breathing or gasping.
Does the gills look inflamed, or swollen, or excess mucas on the gill area.
Have you changed declorinator.
Added anything new to the tank like plants, ornaments, wood, rocks, meds

 

[Lolly123]

Has he lost weight.
Any excess mucas on the gills or body of the fish.
Any red sores or red pin prick marks.
Is there a greyish film, or blue film on the fish.
Any signs of a gold dusting, rusty colour varnish on the fish.
Does the fish swim in a jerky movement.
What does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.
Is the anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Any signs of laboured breathing or gasping.
Does the gills look inflamed, or swollen, or excess mucas on the gill area.
Have you changed declorinator.
Added anything new to the tank like plants, ornaments, wood, rocks, meds

He hasnt lost weight, but did have a slight goldy tinge to him and a little pale in other colours, and was a little jerky yesterday( he looks slightly better today) he doesnt have laboured breathing and cant see any excess mucus on his body and he doesnt seem to have swollen bum. Cannot see any redness, apart from his gill which he has always had since he was bullied when we first got him about 18 months ago. I have added a few new plants to the tank.

 

[WILDER]

Make sure the gold on the fish is not markings. As a gold tinge or dusting can be velvet.
Turn tank lights out and shine a torch on fish to see if they have a gold dusting on them, or yellow golden spots.

Swimming in a jerky movement is a symtom of flukes.

If symtoms carry on over the next twenty for hours I think I would treat for parasites.

What test kit do you use?

 

[Lolly123]

Make sure the gold on the fish is not markings. As a gold tinge or dusting can be velvet.
Turn tank lights out and shine a torch on fish to see if they have a gold dusting on them, or yellow golden spots.

Swimming in a jerky movement is a symtom of flukes.

If symtoms carry on over the next twenty for hours I think I would treat for parasites.

What test kit do you use?

We're using sera atm - liquid kit, but I would like to invest in an API master kit, think we're going to LFS tomorrow so may try an alternate test kit. I tested again just now and nitrite was zero as was ammonia and again ph of 7.8. I carried out water change yesterday of 4 buckets and another 2 again today.

I was watching him just now with lights out and he was swimming up and down the front glass repeatedly for about 2 minutes then resumed swimming around tank. Ill try the torch in a bit.

TY for help.

 

[WILDER]

Have you tryed the torch method yet.

Swimming up and down the sides of the tank can be a sign of stress.

 

[Lolly123]

Have you tryed the torch method yet.

Swimming up and down the sides of the tank can be a sign of stress.

Have done the torch method and cannot really see anything that looks out of the ordinary. We have changed some of the aquascape recently due to big clean, maybe contribute to stress levels. He looks okay today, havent seen any agitated movement or ficking, but ill keep an eye out.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
If the symtoms carry on get back to the board.