Losing tetras

[Country joe]

I lost 2 tetras in my community tank 3 weeks ago, they were swimming up side down at the top of the tank and were bloated, I put this down to swim bladder, I dosed the tank with Interpet Swim Bladder treatment,buti lost the fish, I now have another tetra swimming only at the top of the tank, looks to be gulping air. Its not bloated.
I dosed the tank yesterday with interpet anti bacteria, you have to complete by dosing again in 4 days time, or they say the treatment does not work. I was wondering should I bother with the second dose, as I don't know what's wrong. I don't really like dosing my tank, but next week I should have my mini filter seeded, and I have a hospital tank, so I can have that up and running.
I do a 20% water change weekly, and the new water returned to the tank is always at the same temperature, and I dose with prime, its strange as its only tetras that are effected, I don't know what to do next.
My tank is 200 litres, with a fluval 307 and fluval mini filters. Temp is constant 24.1C, I did a water test today using a NT Labs testing g kit, and all is well.

 

[Innesfan]

What species of tetra are we talking about, what other fish are in the tank, and what are you feeding?

 

[Country joe]

What species of tetra are we talking about, what other fish are in the tank, and what are you feeding?

I've had these fish for 9 months, I feed quality flake, Fluval bug bites, one day a week live daphnia, or blood worm, if not available I use frozen daphnia or bloodworm., I have black phantom tetras, green neon tetras glowlight tetras , Harlequin Rasboras 4 Ottos, and 6 Panda Cory's and lastly one thick lipped gourami.

 

[Colin_T]

Pictures and video of the fish so we can check them for disease and see how they are breathing and swimming/ floating.

There's no cure or medication for true swim bladder problems.
If a fish floats to the surface when it stops swimming, it can be a swim bladder problem or have air in the intestine. To check for air you stop feeding dry food for a week and only feed live or frozen foods. If the problem goes away after a few days without dry food, it was air in the intestine, which the fish can fart out.

If the fish sink to the bottom when they stop swimming, it's normally a swim bladder problem. there's no cure for this and the fish are euthanised to stop them trying to swim with the group and burning themselves out.

 

[Country joe]

Will try and get a photo tomorrow when lights are on, this tetra is different it's thin, no sign of bloat, it's just trying to swim but it's vertical and getting swept round the tank with the filter flow., trying to stay at the very top of the water as if its trying to take in air.

 

[Country joe]

Do you think I'm right in stopping the second dose of interpet anti bacteria and go ahead with my usual waterchange on Saturday?

 

[MuddyWaters]

in my opinion, you did the first dose, do the second. Otherwise you waste the chance for the first dose to work- in other words- you're already in, go all the way.

Note that it's just the way I would think about this, not based on any real supporting knowledge.

 

[Burleson]

Does sound like swim bladder issues
I suggest putting the sick fish in a hospital tank and adding methylene blue and feeding an anti-bacterial feed
To prevent swim bladder issues I have found feeding pees does wonders in my experience

 

[Country joe]

I can't believe I I've got another phantom tetra at the top of the tank not mixing with its companions, again its not bloated I did water tests this morning using my NT Labs liquid box, I tested for everything and all is okay, I haven't cleaned my filter for two months it's due next week, it has a good flow so I can't see this causing it, and my temperature is 24 C, i cant understand it, these are fish I've had for nine months. I'm in the process of setting up a hospital tank , but the mini filter isn't seeded yet,, I could take the sponges out of the mini filter and add biohome from my 307 would that help,, but even in a hospital tank what would I dose it with, as I don't know what's wrong.

 

[Country joe]

I've been told by a very experienced fish keeper to try putting activated carbon in my filter, then when I take it out, add aquarium salt, I have Panda Cory's and I know how sensitive to salt they are, I would use Dr Tims method, 2 level teaspoons per gallon, half the dose oneday and half 48 hours later.i don't know how long to leave it before doing waterchange

 

[Colin_T]

Post a video of the sick fish and a picture clearly showing the sick fish.

Established filters should be cleaned at least once a month. If you haven't cleaned it in 2 months, do it now.

Wipe the inside of the glass down, do a big (75%) water change and gravel clean the substrate.

You don't need to remove carbon if using salt. Carbon does not remove salt. Carbon won't help with diseases either so it's pointless adding any. And it's pointless adding salt until we know what is causing the problem.

 

[Naughts]

I'm in the process of setting up a hospital tank , but the mini filter isn't seeded yet,, I could take the sponges out of the mini filter and add biohome from my 307 would that help,, but even in a hospital tank what would I dose it with, as I don't know what's wrong.

The problem is already in the main tank and appears to be transmittable. A hospital tank will be pointless.
As an aside, the tank looks like it needs cover to replicate the natural habitat thus reducing stress. Floating plants are very beneficial, tetras in particular will appreciate the perceived protection from predation.

 

[Country joe]

The problem is already in the main tank and appears to be transmittable. A hospital tank will be pointless.
As an aside, the tank looks like it needs cover to replicate the natural habitat thus reducing stress. Floating plants are very beneficial, tetras in particular will appreciate the perceived protection from

The problem is already in the main tank and appears to be transmittable. A hospital tank will be pointless.
As an aside, the tank looks like it needs cover to replicate the natural habitat thus reducing stress. Floating plants are very beneficial, tetras in particular will appreciate the perceived protection from predation.

The problem is already in the main tank and appears to be transmittable. A hospital tank will be pointless.
As an aside, the tank looks like it needs cover to replicate the natural habitat thus reducing stress. Floating plants are very beneficial, tetras in particular will appreciate the perceived protection from predation.

I have added two Sessiliflora one at each end, and also added three alternanthere reineckii at the front and the back has a row of Vallisneria, I'm afraid I don't like floating plants, there not for me.

 

[Country joe]

Post a video of the sick fish and a picture clearly showing the sick fish.

Established filters should be cleaned at least once a month. If you haven't cleaned it in 2 months, do it now.

Wipe the inside of the glass down, do a big (75%) water change and gravel clean the substrate.

You don't need to remove carbon if using salt. Carbon does not remove salt. Carbon won't help with diseases either so it's pointless adding any. And it's pointless adding salt until we know what is causing the problem.

Will do this tomorrow, sorry for the picture, I'm hopless with the camera, can't seem to get it right, the thick lipped gourami I have is a bit of a bully, but only if they come near his territory and only to the phantom tetras he doesn't bother the smaller fish

 

[Fishfunn]

From your tank photo, I am wondering if you have enough surface agitation to exchange gases in/out of the water. In order to get more oxygen in the water, I would put an airstone in the tank too.