Fish Dead

[martyn21uk]

Tank size: 40L
pH: 7.4
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 40ppm
tank temp: 75F

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior:
Last night I noticed one of my Black Widow Tetras had a couple of lumps on his side and was breathing fast. He was also quite swollen and a little bit red (see pic) All I had time for last night was to take a picture but I've come home tonight and found him dead. One of my other Black Widows also now has a swollen stomach but no lumps, redess or fast breathing. It looks like he could be next though

Volume and Frequency of water changes:

25% every 7-10 days

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

None

Tank inhabitants:

6 Black Widow Tetras now 5!
3 Peppered Corys
5 Cardinal Tetras

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):

Cardinals about 2 weeks ago. No change to decorations

Exposure to chemicals:

Nope

Digital photo (include if possible):

http/i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/ma...uk/DSC00185.jpg

 

[WILDER]

Tanks overstocked stress causes ill health in fish.
Bad bacterial infection i'm afraid.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

 

[mcdanielnc89]

You should really try getting your nitrate down to 0, although i've heard 40 and under is just "OKAY" But, I'd say it should be zero.

 

[WILDER]

What your tap nitrate reading.
40 fine.

 

[martyn21uk]

Thanks Wilder, tap water is 20 but I know 40 is okay!! I'll pick med up soon as. Is there anything specific I should do with the med, I don't have another tank so I'll have to treat with the other fish in the tank. Will there be any ill effect of this or my filter?

 

[WILDER]

No the med shouldn't affect the filter.
The tanks overstocked black widows quite large tetra and need at least 20 gallons.
I would look at tank stocking doing a search, a 40 litre is a small tank.
The other fish will be fine with the med, but always best to issolate sick fish as the other healthy fish will build a resistance up to the med.
Increase aeration with the med.
They might not make it as once bacterial infections pile up odds are against you.

 

[martyn21uk]

Thanks again Wilder, I was looking to take the black widows back to lfs as they sold them to me for cycling but up til now i didn't have the heart to take them back!! Maybe losing a few forces my hand. Thanks for the advice, excellent as always, I've found website now so reading up as much as i can.

 

[WILDER]

Ok, good luck.

 

[martyn21uk]

Dear www.wildersavesfish.com

I got the med today and did a 40-50% water change and clean up before adding the first dose. It says in the instruction pack about using with Aqualibrium Tonic Salt. Should I do this? I have Black widow tetras, cardinals and peppered corys, will the salt harm them?

 

[WILDER]

Love the email address
No salt corys don't tolerate it to well, just interpet trying to make another sale.
How are the fish.

 

[martyn21uk]

I've just been on this site so much lately and it does seem that at this time it turns into the Wiler show as you help everybody!! I'm sure many would be lost without your help and your experience. I did think that with the corys but just wondered whether a smaller dosage or something would do more good than harm, but i'll steer clear.

The fish seem a lot better tonight. As I said I did my 'deep clean' tonight and its all settled down good and all the fish are active, corys digging etc. The one tetra I was concerned about last night still has a swollen abdomen but is less listless tonight. I've attached a pic of him but he went and hid under the bridge when he saw me coming with the camera. Good shot of cory in the background wanting to know whats going on!!

http/i179.photobucket.com/albums/w310/ma...uk/DSC00187.jpg

 

[WILDER]

Epsons salt baths for swelling it helps draw the fluids out.
Corys can tolerate small amounts of salt, I wouldn't add more than two teaspoons full in a jug of tank water.
Stir the salt in the water till the salt disolves then add to the tank.
Good luck.

 

[martyn21uk]

Thanks again Wilder, You've got me busy on Google again, this time for Epson salt!! Learning something new evey day at the moment. I must also stop being so kind about you, I wouldn't want pople to think I'm flirting with you or anything!!

 

[WILDER]

Searching is the way to learn.
Here y0u go,.
http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php

 

[martyn21uk]

Searching is the way to learn.
Here y0u go,.
http/www.fishjunkies.com/Treatments/salt.php

I got that one pretty much straight away just by searching through your previous posts for Epson salt baths!! I figured you would have spoken about it in the past so tried to be one step ahead!!

It does worry me that the two breeds it says don't like salt are the two I have though!!