Can You Accidently Poison a Fish with Chlorine Rem

[gwlee7]

Can you accidently poison a fish with chlorine remover? I was just changing my water in the 29 gallon tiger barb tank and as I was getting ready to fill it back up, I dumped in the measured amount of Aquasafe chlorine remover/water conditioner in the tank that I always do. I just dumped it straight in and got ready to start pouring in the buckets of water. "Spot", one of the tiger barbs, was directly under where I poured in the conditioner and immedialtely started swimming funny, shaking and going upside down. None of the others are affected at all. Right now, he is in a top corner of the aquarium upside down and only moves and starts swimming if I give him a little prod. Have I accidently killed him?? Of course, he's the only one of the tigers that has a name because of the cute little spot that is on his side beside his stripes.

 

[rdd1952]

I would think it is more of a problem of the force with which the water went in and possibly hitting him directly and causing a problem since you said he was directly under where you poured it in. If you measured out the proper amount then there definitely shouldn't be a problem with overdosing.

 

[gwlee7]

It was like he swam through the conditioner and maybe I hit him with some of the water from the bucket? I missed my plastic plate when I first started pouring it in. Do you think I may have shocked or stunned him with the force of the water? Do you think he'll be okay?

 

[rdd1952]

The force could definitely have caused a problem. The eratic swimming is one symptom of a swim bladder problem. You said he was floating upside down at the top (another symptom). Is he totally upside down or is he floating with his tail up at the surface and his head down lower under the water? I have never had to treat a fish for true swim bladder problems but I have read that it is difficult to cure. You might try to do a search (link at top of page) for "swim bladder" and see what threads it pulls up. Sorry I can't be of much help on the cure.

 

[gwlee7]

He is totally upside down and then will start swimming downwards and gets sideways and begins to float back to the top. He stays there for a minute and then tries to swim again. He was doing great just like all of the others until I changed the water. I must have "ruptured" something when the water hit him.

 

[rdd1952]

It definitely sounds like a ruptured swim bladder. Hopefully, someone with more experience in that area will respond soon. I wish I could be of more help.

 

[gwlee7]

UPDATE: "Spot" seems to be doing much better this afternoon. While still swimming a bit wobbly. he is now schooling with everyone else again. I now think that it may be one of the false alarms that Phantom Thief talks about in the pinned thread section. "Spot" may have swallowed some air when I poured in the water during the change and will continue to improve. Will post with update again later.

Thanks.

EDIT: He must be okay because he is quite able to get his share of the floating tropical pellets that I feed the tiger barbs.

 

[rdd1952]

It's odd that I suddenly seem to have a very similar problem after a water change. I change 5 gallon in my 29 gallon tank. I added the water back, using a 2 quart bucket to pour it in from the 5 gallon bucket. All water was poured in very slowly and no fish hear. I went back in about 20 minutes later to find two corys breathing very fast and one floating on the top. I stuck my hand in and he went down but to stay down he has to get under a leaf or something. He is swimming very slowly. The other seems to be doing fine other than the fast breating. All the tetras and the other 3 corys are fine and breathing normally. After I saw those two breating fast. I immediately added 4 airstones (don't usually have aid in this tank since it is planted). I plan to keep a close eye on him till time for bed. Hopefully he will get his problem sorted out.

 

[gwlee7]

It's especially strange since you and I are the only ones posting on this thread. I hope everything works out soon for us both.

 

[Tolak]

Water turbulance can mess up fish, especially when it's unexpected. Fry are especially prone to this, that's why sponge filters are preferred in a fry tank.

The trick I use to fill fry tanks is this. Take a 1 gallon water bottle, cut off the top, drill a 1/8" hole in the side, put a piece of anything to hold it over the tank, & fill it up. The water trickles in nice & slow, no turbulance. You could do this with larger fish, just drill a larger hole for a little more flow.

Tolak

 

[gwlee7]

FINAL UPDATE: I am most happy to say that "spot" appears to have made a full recovery. He is now swimming regularly and zooming around with his buddies. I guess he either gulped in some air or was otherwise knocked out of equlibrium when the water went in too hard.