Help me.

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Ahhh sorry to be all dramatic on my first post but had an emergency happen. My very new tank which contains only 6 fish and a fry from one of my platties had apricot kernel oil poured in it by my son today. I immediately did a partial water change, removing as much oil as possible and changed the top filter in the tank (It's a jewel internal filter) but I'm very worried about the effect on the fish and on the filter. Any help would be appreciated. I can't transfer them to as I have no spare tank nor anyone nearby who can help.
Hugs,
P.

 

[fishykisses]

I'm no expert by any means and i don't know what effect the oil will have on the fish, but i would turn off the filter to contain the oil just on the top and not circulate it through the system and float some paper towels or some kind of absorbant material to soak up the remainder of the oil.
Sorry, this is the best advice i can think of.
I hope your fishies will be ok, keep us updated!

 

[OohFeeshy]

If it only has 6 fish in and fry, I'd try and take them out and do a 90 or so % WC. It shouldn't hurt too mucha as its natural, but be on the safe side.

 

[ncjharris]

Blimey.

Firstly, welcome to the forums. I hope future posts aren't prompted by something as drastic as this and that you learn a lot.

Well, I have heard and experienced a lot of emergencies, but this one is interesting.

You were right in doing a water change - that could be saving grace in this.
How much did you change? I would reccomend a lot - maybe 50 - 60% today.

You will need to do water changes for the next few days too - a little less, maybe a third or so.

I don't really know the constituent parts of apricot kernel oil and wether or not it is poisonous to fish, I imagine it can't be good though. You will need to 'water down' the poison, the best way to do this is partial water changes.

Do you own a water testing kit? You'll need to regually test it over the course of the next week or so - if the oil kills off the friendly bacteria then you will experience a min cycle, which isn't good for the fish at all.

Changing the filter was a good idea too.

Keep us posted.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Thanks for your help, I really do apologise for my first post being so negative. Like I said the oil is pure so there's no real nastiness in it. Just don't know what effect it'll have on the poor fish. I've been checking them the last few hours since it happened and the immediate change of approx 14 litres (Tanks a small 60 litre one). They all, so far seem ok, but it's still early to tell.
I don't have a tester at home as yet. My local store happily does them for free but that doesn't help on a sunday when it's closed. I shall be getting one tomorrow and having a test done whilst there.
I've been doing partial changes every other day recently because the ammonia levels rose due to the new filter being smeggy.
The fry was unexpected and there's only one which I shall have to section off or the others will get it. They're looking too interested in the poor mite. I hate Sundays.
The site looks good. I'm a modmin on another forum wholly unrelated to fish so this is somewhat of a change for me.
Hugs,
P.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I know brown paper bags (the type from the grocery store) absorb oils and gease really well. Maybe try using that to pull out the oil.

As for the effect it will have on your fish, definately turn off your filter, it will keep the oil at the top of the tank, and make it easier to remove. What type of fish are in your tank? Particularlly, so you have any fish that swim near the surface or are labrynth breathers (actually breathe air in addition to using their gills)? Those fish will be more effected by them. If possible, I would take the fish out of teh tank, rinse them in some dechlorinated water, then put them into a quarentine tank or 5 gal bucket.

I would not do a drastic water change in this tank, because it will mix up the water more and more, and get the oil on more things in the tank. Just work on skimming it off the top of the water.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I know brown paper bags (the type from the grocery store) absorb oils and gease really well. Maybe try using that to pull out the oil.

As for the effect it will have on your fish, definately turn off your filter, it will keep the oil at the top of the tank, and make it easier to remove. What type of fish are in your tank? Particularlly, so you have any fish that swim near the surface or are labrynth breathers (actually breathe air in addition to using their gills)? Those fish will be more effected by them. If possible, I would take the fish out of teh tank, rinse them in some dechlorinated water, then put them into a quarentine tank or 5 gal bucket.

I would not do a drastic water change in this tank, because it will mix up the water more and more, and get the oil on more things in the tank. Just work on skimming it off the top of the water.

Sadly I have nowhere to keep them whilst this is going on. I skimmed the water from the surface with a very clean dechlorinated jug a bit at a time. I then topped up the levels with fresh treated water and removed the top filter which had become oily already. SO far they still seem fine. I think overnight will be the real teller. If my local store had been open I would have asked them to take the fish in quarantine for me while I sorted the mess out but they were closed until tomorrow and I have no fishy contacts locally. I'm seriously considering getting a small tank for sick fish, or fry to keep them safe from being eaten. And for times like this! They were doing so well before this too. Damn kids.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

Kitchen paper is good at removing oil from the surface of the tank.