Help My Fish Are Dropping Like Flys

[cichlidcrazy]

Hi I hope somebody may be able to help me.I returned home from holiday yesterday to find 2 dead fish in one of my tanks all my tanks including the fry tank were on 90f /35c .The other tanks had no casualties just my main tank i did a 25% water change repaceing with cooler water checked parameters all ok so i put the deaths down to the temp being so high .Today i have had a further 2 fish die the temp today has been a steady 30 c .I have not added anything to the tank recently my stats are:
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 20
I have added some carbon to the filter as i dont no what else to do. I cant understand why it is only this tank
surely if it was the temp i would see casualties in the other tanks?
has anybody any ideas ?
Thanks in advance

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Were those test results taken after the water change or before hand? Did your fish get fed at all while you were on holiday? First we will need more info on your situation;
a. What is the state of your fish in your tanks in general? Are any fish showing any symptoms wether physical or behavioral?
b. How many tanks do you have and what is their total stocking? How many gallons are your tanks?
d. Did you have anyone to look after your fish while you were away, and if so, what did they do?

 

[cichlidcrazy]

Hi the test results were the same before and after the fish did not get fed while we were away (5 days)
in answer to your questions :
a. fish are fine have had no deaths in any of our tanks our main tank has been up and running for 3 years the others are all over 2 years.
b.5 tanks main tank 120 uk gallons malawi cant list all fish but defo not over stocked 35 gallon grow out tank about 25 small malawis 40 gallon community tank probably 15 fish 25 gallon fry tank 19 yellow lab fry 21 peacok fry 10 gallon quarantine tank with 1 yellow lab (fin nipped)
c. no one looked after them
i have just had to take a female livingstoni out as she was starting to lie on her side .Shes now in the growout tank at the mo seems to be staying upright .All the other fish look normal at the minute .

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Do any of the fish have white/stringy poop or look underweight or bloated at all?

 

[cichlidcrazy]

no

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Its posible the high temp fluctuations in the tank has stressed them out to much, i would try and keep the tank at a steady temp as you can (keeping the tank lights off, as this will help lower stress levels and help maintain a constant tank temp), and do plenty of small regular water changes with StressCoat dechlorinator over the coming days.
Feeding them some small meals will also help- if you feed them too much at once (particually if it is high protein food) after such a long period of no feeding, it can upset their digestive systems too much.
TetraPro Vegetable flakes would be best as these are low in protein and easy on the digestive system and will help prevent constipation.
Internal bacteria is a posibility, but until any sure symptoms develop i would avoid treating the tanks with meds as these could cause more stress than they are worth on the fish.

I would stick to small regular water changes with StressCoat dechlorinator, more veg based diet and small but regular feedings and keeping the tank temp cool and constant (if you can get it back to 28degrees over the coming week that would be good- even if the temp is high though, you can cause the fish more stress by lowering it too quickly).
I you see anymore symptoms develop in the fish or any improvement, be sure to update us .

 

[cichlidcrazy]

Could be the river shrimp feed i gave them when i got back but some of the shrimp where very small and all tanks got some except fry tank. strange that the livingstoni perked up when i took him out? will stick with the regular water changes and keep our fingers crossed will let you know if we get any more probs cant work out why its only the big tank ?
Thanks for your help

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Could be the river shrimp feed i gave them when i got back but some of the shrimp where very small and all tanks got some except fry tank. strange that the livingstoni perked up when i took him out? will stick with the regular water changes and keep our fingers crossed will let you know if we get any more probs cant work out why its only the big tank ?
Thanks for your help

Its posible there's something in the water, but if there is, the carbon in the filter and regular water changes should remove it- i would continue to also keep a close eye on your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph stats as well .