Dying Fish

[CANicholls]

I have a 60L tropical tank set up 9 months ago. 
 
4 x rummy nosed tretra
1 x guppy
1 x shrimp
5 x platy
 
All water indicators good (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) - temp 24C.  Don't overfeed, weekly water changes (treated), monthly pump clean. Water is clear.
 
Fish haven't been happy for about 2 weeks now. Lethargic and not feeding well. Lost a female guppy (had since beginning), a sucker - type of loach (have for about 4 months) and a male guppy  (have for about 2 month).  No new fish have been introduced since the guppies 2 months ago.  Haven't added new plants/ornaments etc.
 
Platys are hanging around pump or sitting on gravel.  No signs of disease/spots/clamped fin etc.
 
Not sure what I can do?  Found a damselfly larvae last week and removed it.  Is this relevant? 
 
Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

What are you using to test the water parameters with? When you say monthly pump clean, I presume you mean the filter? What are you doing to clean it?
 
If everything is as you say it is this seems a little puzzling. All I can think of is daily water changes to try and see if that helps. 

 

[PrairieSunflower]

I've had a dameselfly before with no effect on my fish. Farm as I know those are harmless.

Could you take some pictures so we can take a look in case you are missing something. Could you run an air stone for the time being in case that might help while people try to help you get to the bottom of this.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Changing the water is probably more important than running the airstone to be honest, especially if the problem is with the water quality or lack of oxygen.

 

[CANicholls]

Oxygen is interesting...live plants have dwindled recently and only 2 small ones left.  I can't get to fish shop today.  I've moved the filter so it is breaking the surface of the water.  Will that help?  Changed water yesterday - do I need to change daily for a while?
 
(Fish Addict: yes, sorry, filter.  I clean sponges using tank water).

I use API test kit btw.

 

[CANicholls]

Hi again
Following the above thread I have done a 60% water change, added an airstone and checked parameters.  All seems good regarding water oxygen and platys are looking more lively.
My female guppy however can't seem to swim now and is vertical in the water.  Her spine looks slightly curved.  Any ideas?

 

[PrairieSunflower]

What are your water stats now? (exact readings)

Could you post a picture of your guppy as well?

 

[This Old Spouse]

If your plants are dying they could be leaching ammonia into the water. How long do you leave lights on, what kind of lights, do you dose with ferts or CO2?

 

[CANicholls]

Guppy has died.  Added "Gold" which LFS recommended to try to save her but failed.
 
Tested water just now:
 
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 5.0
 
60L tank. Water is clear (can't seem to post picture). Temp 24C.  Gravel bed.  I removed remaining live plants during last clean.  Filter cleaned during last clean (in tank water etc). No wood in tank. I feed a mixture of flakes, algae tablets and freeze dried worms.
 
Lights - if still relevant with no live plants - are on from 7am to about 8pm.
 
I'm baffled now.....anything else I should consider?  Thanks again.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Perhaps the guppy was just too sick to recover. I'd do another big water change to get rid of the remaining ammonia. What is "Gold?"

 

[CANicholls]

"Gold" is a disease treatment for unusual swimming action, clamped fins etc. Contains:
 
Bronopol 56mg
Copper EDTA 376mg
Formaldehyde 114mg
Silver Proteinate 3mg

 

[CANicholls]

All water parameters now good.  Fish are livelier and eating but I've noticed one platy with white stringy poo.  Should I treat with something?

 

[This Old Spouse]

Just clean water. It can take a day or two for the symptoms to go away.

 

[CANicholls]

Tank seems to have stabilised.  All paras as they should be and all platys except this one (in my profile pic) seem to be happier.  This one I have had since the very beginning and would hate to lose her.  Anything I can do to try to save her?  She looks even worse in real life that she does in the pic.
 
(Also, advice on how to post pics would be helpful).
 
Thank you.

 

[This Old Spouse]

Go HERE.