American Flag Fish Not Eating.

[greengoddess]

Hi guys,
 
I have had a spate of deaths in my tank recently. Today my glorious bristlenose pleco died suddenly and I have lost 2 or 3 WCMM over the last week or so
My latest worry is that my American Flag Fish don't seem to be eating. I have 6 of them and they all seem to be off their food. The females have shrunk in size and the males have gone quite pale.
 
Water quality is good. Here's my tank parameters:
 
Stock = 6 Buenos Aires Tetras, 4 White Cloud Mountain Minnows, 6 American Flag fish
Water temp = 21C
pH= 7.5
240 litre tank
 
Only the tetras seem to be thriving. All the other fish don't look so good and are not old. There are no signs of disease.
 
The ONLY thing I can think of is that I have may been underfeeding my fish. I have been adding a pinch of tropical flake each evening and have been putting in approximately 2 algae pellets per week. There is not much natural algae left in the tank.
 
This evening i tried the FlagFish with tropical flake, algae pellets, bloodworm and lettuce but they don't seem interested in any of it.
 
Any ideas?
 

 

[bluesword23516]

What about ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites? 

Also have you added any new fish or decorations? 

 

[greengoddess]

What about ammonia, nitrates, and nitrites? 

Also have you added any new fish or decorations? 

Water quality is good. Zero ammonia and nitrite, usual low reading of nitrates.
The tetras and flag fish were all added at the same time (1 month ago) and were bought from the same shop. The tetras are thriving and the flag fish seem to be on the verge of dying out. 

 

[bluesword23516]

If you can take out the flag fish. It can still be something in the water. I would also do a large water change, and another large on in a few days to hopefully remove any disease that could be the cause of death.  

 

[greengoddess]

Unfortunately I cannot take out the flag fish. The good news is that they seem to be a bit more active after I put all that food in the tank. Hopefully the cause was underfeeding. Nevertheless I will do what you say and do a couple of big water changes as it can only do them good. Thanks for your help. 

 

[bluesword23516]

Anytime, keep us posted. Hope everything goes well.  

 

[Tongue_Flicker]

What food are you giving them? Have you considered giving them live food like mosquito larvae, brine shrimp or a pinch of dangled tubifex worms?