Help

[docbanzai]

Hi. Since 7am this morning I've had three (out of seven) Tiger Barbs die quite suddenly. They begin by gasping at the surface of the tank then start swimming erratically (upside down etc...) and then die all in the space of about an hour. Noticed first fish ill at 7am (all others looking and acting OK) died by 8am, by 8.30am another fish started acting ill and so on. Tank stats as follows;

Juwel Rekord 120 (120L / 31 U.S. Gal)
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, pH 6.5 - 7.0, Temp 24.5 Deg C.
No live plants, all plastic with fine gravel substrate.
Airstone runs 12 hours/day (9am - 9pm)
Lights 4pm - 9pm
Water changes 20% weekly (last change on Saturday) water treated with Aquaplus, brought to temperature and added by bucket.
Filters cleaned/replaced as manufacturers recommendations, last change was white filter pad replaced on saturday (this pad always replaced weekly)
No new fishes added within the last month. Tiger Barbs added in Late Jan, Danios added mid-March.

No additions or changes have been made recently (except white filter and water changes)

The Zebra Danios (seven on them) in the tank are all acting normally and look fine. Three Tigers are looking subdued but OK at the moment, one is looking unwell.

The dead fish all appear in good health (except being dead, of course.) They have good colour, clear eyes and show no injury.

Any ideas?

TIA. DB.

 

[red-devil0602]

check the temp in your tank asap your heater may be broke

 

[docbanzai]

check the temp in your tank asap your heater may be broke

Hi, just checked it with a second thermometer (both are submerged) and reads just over 24 deg C.
This is crazy it looks like I'm just about to lose another. I've been searching high and low but I cant find a condition that would just kill tiger barbs.
Not very manly but I could cry.
Thanks for the suggestion.
DB.

 

[red-devil0602]

unplug your heater and take it out and check it is not cracked or damaged? i will keep thinking

 

[docbanzai]

unplug your heater and take it out and check it is not cracked or damaged? i will keep thinking

OK, I'm off to check it now. Be back in 10.
Thanks,
DB

OK, heater appears fine, but have replaced it with a brand new one (exactly the same model) that I keep for emergencies. Water temp checked again with yet another thermometer and seems OK at just over 24 deg C. Will check again in 30 min.

Thanks again for your help.

DB

 

[docbanzai]

Number 4 just died.

 

[WILDER]

How long have you had them, did you match the ph to the store, other than that you are dealing with a bacteria infection or parasite, any signs of flicking and rubbing against objects.

 

[steelhealr]

Tap water..have you tested it? Any chemicals near the tank? Rapid gasping without signs of disease sounds like one of many things..chemical poisoning, hypoxia, ammonia? Are your test kits good? What type are you using? SH

 

[docbanzai]

Hi

Sorry it's taken a while to get back to you.

I've had the Tigers for 3 months. I'm using Nutrafin liquid test kits which were all bought in January to replace older kits. The water was tested with the full range of tests three times yesterday, and gave the same results each time. My LFS is literally a 5 min walk away so their water chemistry is exactly the same as mine. When the fish were added they were fully acclimatised before going in the tank. There are no chemicals near the tank, I am always extremely careful when servicing and keep everything clean and always use scalding water to clean any tools used (gravel vacs, nets, etc.)

Sadly all but two of my tigers are dead. The survivors seem OK and are having no problems also the Danios that share their tank have shown no symptoms and seem quite happy.

I'm at a complete loss to explain this. That 5 fish should die so quickly for no apparent reason whilst their tank-mates are fine. Very strange. I know that these things happen and that I should be philosophical about it, but it's driving me mad trying to figure out what it could be. At very least I'd like to learn from this experience.

All I can do now is monitor the tank closely and pray that this doesn't happen again.

Thanks for the suggestions.

DB.

P.S. Yes tap water was checked last water change. I know I sound paranoid but I always check the tap water before I do a water change!

 

[WILDER]

The ones that died were they spinning around fast as though they were chasing there tails.

 

[drw32]

It sounds ad if your fish are infected with the protozoan Myxospora. This causes whirling disease which is incurable and fatal. I'm sorry for your loss. However, DO NOT add anymore fish. You need to quarantine the danios. Your tank then needs to be broken down and sterilized.

 

[docbanzai]

It sounds ad if your fish are infected with the protozoan Myxospora. This causes whirling disease which is incurable and fatal. I'm sorry for your loss. However, DO NOT add anymore fish. You need to quarantine the danios. Your tank then needs to be broken down and sterilized.

Oh spiffing, just spiffing. Now you've really scared the hell out of me. I've looked up Myxospora and it IS a possibility, although I have to say that my fish didn't seem to be 'whirling' just weakening rapidly and unable to swim at all. It was more of a paralysing effect I think.

However... I think I shall follow your advice, although if it is Myxospora then I suspect that the remaining residents days are already numbered

Thanks to all that have helped.

DB