Male And Female Gourami Dead This Morning

[Matty_]

I have picture of the gourami that has died, whilst it was living. See any signs of disease on him?

No i dont have a specific kit but i have a 6 in 1 test strips, i have a feeling you think i should get individual test kits?

If so i'll go out and get seperate nitrite and nitrate kits.

I would have a look for the API Master Test Kit, it has ph, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate all in one kit

No i dont have a specific kit but i have a 6 in 1 test strips, i have a feeling you think i should get individual test kits?

If so i'll go out and get seperate nitrite and nitrate kits.

Indeed. The most reliable test kits are API Master test kits (which i'm presuming you already have for your ammonia). I get mine off Ebay, 20-25 quid... last me about 2/3 month when cycling a tank but aaaaaaaaages when not cycling.

Terry.

Ok cheers, got to say you two have been legends on this thread i was kind of lost before on what to do

Will get one of those kits and get regular tests started.

 

[Katch]

No signs no but then there often isn't.

Get your nitrate and nitrite tested and report back. After 2 months your tank will be close to cycled I'd imagine and your Ammonia test seems fine.

I'd be interested to see if you have 0 nitrite as well. If you do, it may just be one of those things.

Keep doing a couple of large water changes a week and keep an eye on your stock for any signs of illness.

 

[The Taffy Apple]

Nope, can't see any signs on her...what a pity though, she had fantastic colours.

Terry.

 

[KittyKat]

Dwarf gouramis are very sensitive to water quality, considerably more so than most average community fish, so I agree that that was probably the cause of death.

Before you go all in for water changes, check your water for ammonia and nitrite after dechlorinating it, just to be sure you don't have even more of either in the tap water than the tank.

Stress Coat is another alternative to Prime, and there are probably a few other dechlorinators which temporarily convert ammonia to ammonium. The important part is that they remove chlorine, chloramine (sometimes both are combined into "chlorines") and "deal" with ammonia.

And as others have said, strip tests are not accurate, liquid ones are more so, although still not amazing. I have heard mixed reviews about the API kit, although mine has always given me the results I expect.

 

[Matty_]

Ok i have bought API nitrate and a API nitrite test kits.

Here are the results...

Nitrite;

Nitrare;

Nitrate test says it is best to keep levels at less than or equal to 40. Think my test result may be a little high or is it ok?

Thanks

 

[Aqua Tom]

Nirate is a tricky one. The test itself is notoriously inacurate. Also if you live in a high nitrate tapwater area (as I do) you are fighting a loosing battle. I dont worry about it any more as its not somthing I can adjust.

Tom

 

[Rickzayne]

its fine up and off the scale tbh,

its just best to keep it below 160..

 

[Matty_]

OSo it is ok to leave my nitrate reading at around 40?

Thanks