Looking For Reassurance

Randi · Jun 27, 2011

So, I've had four deaths in my 30 gal in one week. First my BN was hiding behind the filter and wouldn't come out until I found him dead one morning at the bottom of the tank. Next a guppy went all emaciated and died. Meanwhile another guppy developed bloat and a third guppy had swim bladder problems (was swimming on his side). I did a 50% water change after the first death and another after the next two guppys died, which was on the same day. I took my filter apart and cleaned it in tank water to make sure it wasn't clogged up. Throughout this I have had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and between 40 and 10 nitrates.

Now one on my danios is looking emaciated, so I have decided to treat the entire tank with tetracycline. I can not figure out what would be killing my fish since they have different symptoms, other than an internal bacterial infection. Is this the right course of action?

Also, I tore my filter cartridge up pretty good when I was getting the carbon out of it so I could medicate. Will this be a problem?

KittyKat · Jun 27, 2011

No, that won't be a problem. The sponge works almost as well when torn up as when it is whole.

Guppies are generally weak fish, I have seen that happen to them without any reasons before and will see it again. I doubt it was anything to do with you or how you look after the fish.

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This Old Spouse · Jun 27, 2011

What is your normal cleaning routine? Same with feeding?

Coach Ron MIles · Jun 27, 2011

Do you have another pet that might be killing the fish? I've found out recently that cats can sometimes kill pet fish. If this is the case, then you might be wasting your time with all that cleaning. You probably just need to better secure your tank. I didn't want to buy anything from a store, so I just taped a bunch of knives around the top of my aquarium. It has been working well most of the time (there have been a few accidents). If you want to buy something, I'd not blame you. You can probably find something specially made for this purpose from a flea market or even the general purpose aisle of a local grocer.