Fish are dying

[Barrelchasin]

I just went away for two days and when i returned about 4 hours ago, all of my fish were near death, floating at the top with white stuff on their fins and their fins looked tattered. Is it ick? i don't know but so far 1 of my angelfish has died and my african leaf fish. The others are barely alive. It's probably too late, but would anyone know what that is?

 

[StanTheBetta]

Does it look like grains of salt? Or is it bigger? a picture would help a lot if you can get one.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Barrelchasin

The more information you can give us the better.

For example, what temperature is the water? What are the water peramaters: ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

What size is your tank and what fish do you have in it? (In other words, is it overstocked?)

 

[Barrelchasin]

Well I've been raising angel fish mainly in this 10 gallon tank for probably 8 years and i've never had this happen. Right now i have 3 angels, 1 small pleco, and an african leaf fish. So far the leaf fish and 1 angel have died. The other two angels are floating at the top and have white cottony looking stuff trailing from their fins and red sores here and there. they're still alive but have been this way for awhile. Ive cleaned the filter, put quickcure in and anything else i could, but they don't look like they are getting any better. The pleco looks normal. Oh and the water is usually around 70degrees, but i've heated it to about 80 to see if it will help any. I don't know about ammonia and all that stuff, i've never ever checked it before, but it's too late now anyway. The angels don't look like they're gonna make it. Hmmm i don't know what else i could say about it. Oh there are a few guppies in the tank i had put in for the leaf fish to eat and they're doing fine.

 

[StanTheBetta]

Well first, although I am no expert, I believe your tank is pretty overstocked. I'm told angelfish should have a tank thats at least 18" tall and a common pleco gets to be 12+ " long and requires a good sized tank and good filtration. If it looks cottony to me that sounds like fungus. Some pictures would be really helpful. If its fungus I forget specific names but look for a fungucide (sp?) thats safe for scaleless fish (your pleco won't tolerate some of them too well I think). Not sure about the red sores. Maybe one of the more experienced people can help you out more?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Barrelchasin

I think your fish have a bacterial infection.

Bacteria that cause this condition are always present in a tank, but only affect the fish when their immune system is weakened by one or more of the following conditions: overcrowding, high nitrites, overfeeding, rapid temperature increase, infrequent water changes, or low oxygen content in the water.

To treat it, first do a big water change and thoroughly clean the gravel at the bottom. Add an airstone, if possible, to increase oxygen content in the water and gradually lower the temperature to no higher than 75 degrees. These things will slow the growth of the bacteria.

My first choice of medication is Kanacyn by Aquatronics, if you can still get it in your area. If not, use both Maracyn and Maracyn2 together. This will treat both the Columnaris and Aeromonas bacteria. (There is also a Kanamycin product made by Seachem, that is said to be the equivalent of Kanacyn that you might want to try instead.)

It is most important to keep your water clean and aerated to prevent and cure this condition. Stable temperature and slow increases or decreases are also important in maintaining good fish health.

Please let me know what you decide to do and how things work out.

 

[Barrelchasin]

Thanks for all the help. Too late though, both of my angelfish died. It's weird though, i've raised about this same amount of fish in this same size tank for about 8 years and have never had this problem. (the fish will stay small in a small tank, they do not grow to full size in this tank so it never really gets that over crowded) I guess i may take out the rest of the small left over feeder fish and my pleco and clean the tank thoroughly, then buy a new angel fish or something, i dont know yet. i don't know if i'll even be able to find another leaf fish in this area. Thanks for all the help though