Fish Flicking, Finally May Have Found The Cause

[jacktommo]

Hi guys,
 
Just thought I'd post on here in case anyone has had a similar problem to me. Basically I've had my tank going for around a year, a  few weeks ago fish suddenly started flicking against the tank decor and sand. They then started with rapid breathing and appeared lethargic at the bottom the tank. Conducted tests on the water for amonia nitrite and nitrate all of which were fine. 
 
So I spoke with various aquatic shops who suggested I treat the aquarium for white spot, which I did, this however had no effect. I later also treated the water with a solution that kills off parasites and reduces bacteria which also did not fix the issue. So I've been disheartened that I couldn't find the cause and had lost a few fish. 
 
Tonight as I've been rearranging the tank decor, under the sand was a small piece of metal about an inch long. I've had a quick read up on metal poisoning and the symptoms seem to match up. I'm hoping finally the problem may be solved, hopefully the fish will be ok and haven't been permanently effected by this. No idea how it got in there at all!
 
Has anyone experienced metal poisoning before? I'm planning on doing regular water changes but is there anything else I should do?
 
Cheers
Jack.

 

[stanleo]

Feed high protein diet. Live foods are best like blackworms or brine shrimp. This will have a boost on their immune systems and give them a fighting chance. Reduce stress as much as possible. Shorter light periods, don't put your hands in the tank to often and maybe even cover the glass so they can't see what's going on outside the tank.
 
Good luck!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I would also suggest a large water change. Do you know what metal it is? Iron should not create much issues, but things like lead, copper, aluminum etc. would be more worrysome.
 
Some dechlors neutralize heavy metals as well.
 
I try to keep all metal out of my tanks except for stainless steel.

 

[jacktommo]

Yeah I've done a large water change and going to continue with regular changes. I'll get some live foods as well, I think it might have been aluminium so pretty worried about them..Can't believe this has happened like..
 
Jack.

 

[jacktommo]

I'm still reasonably new to fish keeping, I'm worried about the fish and want to be sure this is the cause, my fish symptoms are as follows:
 
Flicking against sand, rocks and plants
Occasional rapid breathing
Irregular swimming, not quite swimming straight and occasional dart around in a twitching like motion
There is no appetite loss, all eat fine when I feed them
Fish colour seems fine, other than the above, there are no visible external signs
 
Are there any other diseases/parasites that cause these symptoms, that I might consider should the fish persist with the above symptoms?
Jack.