Friends Fish Have Died!

[elesian]

Hi,

Ok, i am just reporting what happened whilst i stayed over my friends for a few nights. They have about 11 fish in a tank which is roughly 60cmx30cmx60cm (i don't know how many gallons that is). The owner fed them some fish flakes and what looked like a fish tablet.

The following morning 5 of the fish have died. All the rest are at the top of the tank gasping for air. To my horror one starts to die in front of me, the most HORIFFIC thing i have ever seen - all i heard was this huge bang, the fish shooting across the tank, and then spinning around constantly in a circle, before its body contorted and sank. 2 more died over night.

The following day, the remaining 4 fish have stopped gathering at the top for air, and now appear to be swimming perfectly normal, and don't appear to be in any distress.

Who has any ideas what happened in this scenario - i've tried to explain what happened the best i can. Thanks ryan.

 

[Keithoms]

Hi there. He/you needs to get a test kit if not already owned and provide readings for:

Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate

 

[Truck]

and PH

do you know about cycling?

 

[Keithoms]

and pH

 

[andywg]

Sounds somewhat like an ammonia spike to me.

 

[WILDER]

Need to find out how many gallons the tank is.
What type of fish and how many.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.
Need to rule out bad water quality as that can make fish gasp and dart around the tank.
Immediate water change and increase aeraton in the tank.