All My Fish Are Gasping For Air. Help Please.

[mikelamb]

Will the carbon sponge help to reduce Nitrates?

Really horrible watching them struggle! But I don't know what else I can do. Up untill now I have had no trouble, so really stressed with this!

 

[WILDER]

No.
Water changes to lower nitrates, gravel vac, and squeezing a filter sponge in old tank water if it's really mucked up.
What your tap nitrate reading?

Carbon removes chemicals and toxins from the water.

 

[mikelamb]

Tap water is reading about 20. It is a liquid test kit by the way.

 

[WILDER]

My tap nitrate reading alot highter than that.
your tank nitrate reading should be the same.

Fish can get nitrate poisoning and show the same symtoms as nitrite poisoning.


Nitrite / Nitrate Poisoning.


Causes
Heavy organic load or pollution and not doing enough water changes. Also check water supply, some are high in Nitrates to begin with.
Symptoms
Colors of the fish become more intense or really bright, panting, and hanging just below the water surface.
Treatment
Find cause of organic pollution and change water to bring down levels.



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[mikelamb]

My nitrate has always been ok, the fish seem really stressed at the moment.

Hopefully the 50% water change I did earlier with the gravell cleaner/syphon will take effect soon. How long should it take before I would see an improvement in the fish.

I took out some partially dead leaves earlier as well. Could they have been the cause?

 

[WILDER]

Depends on the damage it has done to the fish.

it's hard to say.

Api nitrate test kit not very good. It's not that accurate. Ammonia, nitrite are good in api
I use the tetra brand for nitrates.

Rotting plants, leaves, over feeding, uneaten food, overstocking a tank, lack of gravel vacs and water changes can all lead to bad water quality and pollution.

 

[mikelamb]

Hi,
Fish seem to be not so stressed tonight. Nitrate has dropped to around 40. Just wondering what your thoughts are on Tetra Aqua EasyBalance. Would it help to reduce the nitrate quickly along with a water change. Thanks again for your help.
Mike.

 

[WILDER]

Never used tetra aqua easy balance. Ask in tropical discussion to see what other members have to say about it.


So there not gasping anymore?

 

[Tortea]

Do they have little white spots or a slime coating?
Any signs of parasite?
Or any colour changes have the fish stopped eating or any popeye?
it could also be poising water q

 

[mikelamb]

Yes they have stopped gasping for air and are acting far better tonight. No sign of pareasites as far as I can see.

 

[WILDER]

Must of been the water then and the water changes have helped.
if any changes get back to the board.
Good Luck.

 

[mikelamb]

Really appreciate all the help! Thanks.