Kuhli loaches struggling please help

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

I recently just got kuhli loaches and so far they’ve been doing amazing swimming around playing but I just did my first water change on the tank and they’re really struggling they’re breathing heavy, and can barely swim up or on their side and I’m just super worried the water parameters should be good Idk whats happening i need help asap im so worried

 

[jaylach]

Sorry but "water parameters should be good" does not do it. You need to test the water and give specific numbers for ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and PH. Sorry but if I don't others will ask the same. Another question that will be asked is if the tank has been properly cycled.

While I don't know... my gut reaction is that you didn't treat the new water that was added for the water change to remove chlorine which is quite toxic to fish.

 

[Byron]

We need data here, as jaylach said. If you can do tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH, it would be wise to do them at the first sign of trouble. Post the numbers so members know. Did you use a conditioner? How long has the tank been running, and with what fish? How frequent are water changes and what volume? Was the water temperature the same between tank water and fresh added?

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

im sorry Ammonia, nitrates and nitrates are all at 0 but the ph is like 8.5 its been cycled for months I have a filter that filters out chlorine how could i get the ph down?

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

We need data here, as jaylach said. If you can do tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH, it would be wise to do them at the first sign of trouble. Post the numbers so members know. Did you use a conditioner? How long has the tank been running, and with what fish? How frequent are water changes and what volume? Was the water temperature the same between tank water and fresh added?

50%-25% water changes every week its been running for like 4?5? months pygmy Cory and honey gourmis. It was the same

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

Ahhh now its reading lower then it was I keep it around 79 now its reading 75

 

[jaylach]

im sorry Ammonia, nitrates and nitrates are all at 0 but the ph is like 8.5 its been cycled for months I have a filter that filters out chlorine how could i get the ph down?

I have to question a filter that removes chlorine as I've never heard of such a thing. ANY water added to a tank should be treated to remove chlorine/chlorimide before being added.

According to the following article your water PH is way high for these beasties. They are not not like most fish in being covered with scales that protect them. They seem to be very susceptible to disease and water conditions

Kuhli Loach 101: Care, Tank Size, Breeding, And Tank Mates

The Kuhli Loach is a great cleaner fish that plays well with others. Learn how to care for them in this brand new guide.

www.aquariumsource.com

How experienced are you with aquariums? These beasties are not considered to be a critter for beginners.

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

its a bulit in water system they grew up in high ph but this is definitely higher then normal what do i do ive been doing research for over a year and have been keeping for a few months everything has been good so far

 

[Byron]

First, on the temperature. Water at 79F is much too warm for pygmy cories. They must have it in the low to mid 70's. My group were kept at 24-25C/73-75F. Most tropical fish we keep in aquaria do well in this range. A very few need much warmer water, but not most of them.

Second, the pH. The pH is connected to the GH and KH of the source water. You cannot lower it without also dealing with the GH and KH. The KH in particular buffers the pH rto prevent fluctuations, and the higher the KH the stronger the buffering. Give us the GH and KH and pH of your tap water; if on city water, check their website. These numbers will tell us what to expect. Do not attempt lowering the pH on its own; the chemicals they sell for this do not work, because they lower the pH then the buffering raises it again, and this up and down is far worse on fish.

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

Thank you
KH 240 GH 0 ph is 8

 

[Byron]

Thank you
KH 240 GH 0 ph is 8

OK. First question, has this water gone through a softener? When the GH is this low with a high KH, it is often due to a softener. I'll have more on that from your answer. And if there is a softener at this tap, can you get water that has not run through the softener? What is the GH of that?

The KH is high, very high. Not a problem, but it will prevent the lowering of the pH for any reason. There is one method, but let's have the GH issues confirmed first.

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

im not sure rn but could i know abour the method im panicking i really wanna help them ifk what to do

 

[Byron]

From what you've told us, the kuhli loaches are new, they were swimming OK, but right after the water change began respirating heavy. What about the other fish, how is their respiration? Are they behaving normally?

The problem is unlikely to be pH as it is the same with the fresh water presumably. The GH itself also not likely, same reason. Which brings us to the conditioner...did you use it and which one? Though the other fish would presumably had similar reactions, but you never know. Is any other substance going in the water, plant fertilizers, or any water additive other than the conditioner?

We still need to know about the softener. Though here again, the other fish would presumably show signs much the same. Pygmy cories are somewhat sensitive, kuhlii may be moreso though.

 

[Iluvbloodyparrots]

All the other fish are good i use thrive fertilzer i have prime but i have a system that filters out chlorine all my other fish/shrimp have been fine in my other tanks

 

[Byron]

All the other fish are good i use thrive fertilzer i have prime but i have a system that filters out chlorine all my other fish/shrimp have been fine in my other tanks

Can you tell us about this filter? What is your water source, is it city water, or are you on a well? And we must know about any softener. I'm wondering if this filter does something like that.