Concerned About 1 Of Our Swordtails

[LouiseRat]

We have been cycling our tank with 3 swordtails in it .It is a juwel rekord 120 .

we have 1 male and 2 females . 1 of the females (the one who didnt have babies) has been staying near the bottom of the tank the past couple of days , she is a lot less active and we have just seen her poo and it was white.she is still eating though

here are the levels from the tank

day 1 - all levels on 0

day 2 - temp 26 , ammonia 0 , nitrite 0,nitrate 0 , 50 % water change ,stress zyne added , substrate and real plants added

day 3 - temp 28 , ammonia 0,nitrite 0 , nitrate 0 , 20% water change 1 m 2 f pineapple swordtails bought and added

day 4 - temp 26 , ammonia 0.1mg , nitrite 0.3 mg , nitrate 50mg, 25% water change , found fry in tank.

day 5 - temp 26 , ammonia 0.1mg , nitrite 0.3 mg , nitrate 50mg , no water change

day 6 - temp 28 , ammonia 0.4mg , nitrite 0.5mg , nitrate 50mg, no water change , found a plant snail

day 7 - temp 26 , ammonia 0.4mg , nitrite 0.1 mg , nitrate 25mg, 25% water change , white filter replaced , very soiled .

day 8 - just about to do a 25% water change now , and do water tests.

 

[millym]

sorry but i dont understand why you are using a live creature to cycle your tank when it can be done more easily and with no stress to any fish by using ammonia & other methods.
i know this is not helpful to you but its the way i feel. i would do a small water change & see if this helps perk up the swordie.
what are you feeding your fish with? white poo can be caused by diet & is not always disease have a look at pinned topics to get a better idea of symptoms & treatment for internal bacterial infections which often show the symptoms of fish passing white/clear poo.

 

[Annastasia]

You replaced part of your filter? That won't help with the cycling process, since you're trying to grow the bacteria on there....

Has she perked up at all after the water change?

 

[JaminRat]

The filter part that was replaced was just the cotton filter thin white one on top. The main filter media has not been touched since setting up.

No real change with her really she became much more active while feeding but soon went back into hiding.

 

[Stone Warior]

just like humans some are active some are shy. If it eats fine i wouldnt worry about it, but I agree with cycling with fish that way its natrually and safely done.

 

[JaminRat]

Sorry Millyn missed your post somehow. I did not do a fishless cycle as I did not find out about till after the tank was setup and both my dad (who has kept fish for a long time) and my LFS advised to cycle with fish. Also to be honest I do prefer the approach unless I could get hold of 100% pure ammonia I am dubious about adding it to my tank. All ammonia sold is in suspension and unless you have it analysed you don't know what is actually in there. If you could remove 100% of the ammonia from it would you be happy to drink it. This is just me opinion and my explanation as to my actions not an attempt at a flame war. We do what we feel is best given our current knowledge.

As for food they are being fed Tetramin.

I am also doing a 10% to 20% water change every other day to keep the water as fresh as possible. Again this is what I have been advised.

Water chemistry is also being tested everyday to keep tabs on things.