Help! are my fish sick?

[paulw]

I've had my tank running for about 4 or 5 weeks now, when I came home tonight one of my platy's had died although there didn't seem to be any visible symptoms.

On closer inspection I think one of my guppys may have fin rot and my albino shark has been in hiding and laying slightly on its side against a rock.

I've not tested the water in the last week or so but prior to adding fish each time I've had it tested and everything has been fine.

Could it be the start of something serious? Anyone got any suggestions? And can I do anything to prevent anymore deaths?

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank, what fish and how many, can't say with out test results , but i would do a water change, and get your water tested as soon as possible, has the platys been in from setting up the new tank, as it's probably took it's toll on her and her immune system shut down.

 

[paulw]

Thanks for the feedback. In answer to your questions

The tank is 27.5 gallon. The platys were in from the start.

I've got
5 guppy's
3 platy's
2 Pearl Gourami
1 Albino Shark
1 Gibbicep

I did a water change on Saturday, could this have had an effect?


Cheers

 

[WILDER]

Is that gibbicep a plec not sure.

 

[paulw]

Yes it's a plec

 

[WILDER]

If that a plec they grow big and are very big waste producers, the albino shark, is it a albino red finned shark as they need a 40gal tank, sounds like you added to many fish to sson, i would get your water tested, and do a water change for now.

 

[WILDER]

Do you no the full name of that gibbicep as i looked one up and they need a 125gal tank.

 

[congo dude]

a gibbicep grows very large unfortunately and will outgrow its tank im actually quite knowledgeble on plecs and am a member of the pleco fanatics forum i think it would be best to try and find alternative housing for the big guy

 

[paulw]

It's a Sailfin Gibbicep and apparently it can grow to 18" in length, although the guy in the shop didn't tell that to me at the time. I'm going to find a new home for it when it gets to about 6". It's about 2 1/2" at the moment.

The shark is an Albino Red Fin.

Could the waste from the Pleco have had an effect on the other fish?

 

[WILDER]

Your filter might not be up to it if i'm honest, i would run another one with the old one as well for back up.

 

[paulw]

I've done a water change and will get it tested tomorrow and see how things pan out.

Cheers for your advice.

 

[congo dude]

the plecos waste would not have a real bad affect on the tank

 

[paulw]

I had the water tested today and everything was fine. The guppy now died though but the Albino Shark looked a little bit more lively tonight.

 

[WILDER]

that's good news, sorry for the loss of the guppy. R.I.P.

 

[paulw]

The Albino Shark has gone too It's been hiding away for the last number of days and I'm sure it wasn't getting any food. Again no signs of any obvious diseases.