I Think I've Messed Up...big Time

[Flute]

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could call upon your expertise for a bit of advice please?

So lately I've been having a few problems with my fish.
We have two tanks- a 16 (US) gallon and a 6 (US) gallon. The 6 gallon contained 2 honey gouramis (not a suitable sized tank I know, but it is a hospital tank for them as we've had problems in the past).
A few days ago, our female died very suddenly, without any symptoms. When I inspected her body, her flanks were very dark, as if she had bled internally.
I tested the tank to see what the problem was and to my horror, I found that the ammonium was up. So I moved our remaining male to our main tank for a few days why I sorted out the smaller one. And I think this could be have been the first big mistake.

At the time, the male had lost all his tail and some of his bottom fin- which I though was from the female, as she did harrass him quite a bit.
I am now convinced that it is fin rot, as his dorsel fin is rotting.
And thats only the start of it.

He also has pop eye and drowsy, which only really showed up today when I got up. I'm now putting him back into the smaller tank to get him away from the others. I don't think there is much hope for the little guy as his scales have started to pine cone, but I'm even more worried now because he showing darkness on his flanks.

Could this be fish tb? And if so, what on earth am I to do if he has infected my other tank?

Would the kindest thing be to put him to sleep? And if so, what is the kindest method?

Should I medicate the other tank just incase? And with what?

I really have learnt my lesson- I will never, ever mix fish from my two tanks again.
And I feel truely awful and really put off ever keeping more fish. I really do feel as if I am not fit to keep them

Thanks for any advice in advance.

EDIT: We've just euthanised the gourami. Over the period of me writing this post, he lost all ability to swim, and was visibly suffering. I think it was the kindest thing to do. My question now is what would be the best way to clean out his tank (the 6 gallon). And should I throw the filter media away? Thanks again in advance.

 

[WILDER]

The stocking in your sig is that for the 16 litre. If so its severely overstocked.

Can you post your full water stats please in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Septicemia, finrot, popeye, dropsy, can all be caused by bad water quality.

 

[Flute]

No, my mistake, I actually ment US gallon >.< I realised after I left for work what I written. So I appologise for the mix up.

I'll post stats in a little while when I can get hold of them.

I'll go edit my post now to prevent further mix ups.

Thanks Wilder.

 

[afishdude]

How often and at what % were you doing water changes?

 

[WILDER]

Yes we need water stats.
How many fish are in the 16 gal, and which type.

 

[Flute]

Hey guys, sorry for not replying sooner, not had the time unfortuantly:

Tanks are cleaned everyweek, 20%-30% 16 gallon and slightly more for the smaller tank to keep it clean as it had the ability to get a little more messy because of its smaller size. Both tanks are gravel vacumed too every week. Tanks are not in a dirty condition at all. There is nothing in the 6 gallon presently.

In the 16 gallon tank are the fish in my signature, totaling 22. The embers and corrys are all moving to a larger tank soon though, so it's only temporary.
All fish are healthy, active and eating. No signs of any problems at all.
Stats are:

Tank size: 16 gallon
pH: 6.8
ammonia: 0 ppm
nitrite: 0 ppm
nitrate: 5 ppm
tank temp: 27 C

I don't think it was fish tb. I was panicking at the time- I believe it was internal paristies. The gourami was removed before he died, so hopefully the others wont have been contaminated. My worry now is can fin rot be passed on? And if so, what treatment is best? No fish are showing any symptoms, I just want to be on guard just in case.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[WILDER]

Fish can still get infected if the fish had internal parasites.
Even sucking fish poo up can infect other fish.

 

[Flute]

Ok thanks Wilder I'll give the tank a good clean tomorrow. I assume it would be a good idea to treat the tank just incase?

 

[WILDER]

Yes I would treat the tank if you suspect internal parasites.