Mysterious Deaths

[Mariah]

Hi,
I have recentally had some mysterious deaths in my tank. I thought I was seeing white poop but I think that was just the color of there poop because everyone seemed fine.
Over the past week my pleco, ADF and a 2 platys has died. These are my stats :

nitrate - 20 ppm
nitrite - 0
total hardness - hard
total alkalinity - ideal
ph - neutral
ammonia - 0

Any suggestions? I do water changes once a week 25% and the temp is 82 F.
Thanks

 

[FishFreaks]

well i would very slowly turn the temp down to atleast 78. if there are any fish left in there. your water param. sound fine, what have you been feeding them? any other fish in the tank? how long has the tank been estalished?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

White poop is an indicator of internal bacteria- do the fish look lethargic and skinny looking/anorexic and do they have inflamed/red anus's?

 

[Mariah]

One of my fish - the guppy - seems like he lost alot of weight. Hes really skinny but hes still eating normally and swimming. His back is starting to curve so I know thats not a good sign. My other fish seem fine - there eating and swimming fine.
In the tank, its a 10 gallon, theres 1 guppy, 4 platies, 1 molly and 2 guppy fry.
They are eating the normal fish flakes. I do have medicated food for internal parasites I could feed them if you guys think I should.... I also have medicated tablets for internal parasites...
Please let me know what to do.
Thanks

Edit - The tank has been up and running since Feburary 2005. I will also lower the temp as well.

 

[Mariah]

Ok well ive added the tablet (parasite clear by jungle) and am using the medicated food as well.
Any other suggestions? Thanks

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

It sounds like you have internal bacteria rather than internal parasites more than anything else and i would advise you start doing lots of water changes to remove the current meds from the tank water and then start treating the fish for internal bacteria, unless you have other symptoms its unlikely you have internal parasites as they are quite rare and show more symtoms than just white poo and mysterious deaths.
White poo is a major sign of internal bacteria and can cause lots of sudden deaths and livebearers are particualy prone to it.

 

[Mariah]

What kinds of medications can I use to get rid of internal bacteria?
Thanks

 

[WILDER]

I would take a look here with being skinny and a curved back just to make sure.
http/www.4qd.org/Aqua/disease/tb.html

 

[Mariah]

Hmmm, I dont know it thats it because the only symptom is the curved spine. None of the listed symptoms my fish are showing...
So is it internal parasites or internal bacteria or TB???

 

[WILDER]

Wasting away and a bent spine can be tb, or internal parasites, but they can get bacteria infections on top of the parasites, usually by then it's to late, i would issolate the sick fish to be on the safe side, internal parasites sign are, long stringy white poo, red inflamed anus, worms prutruding from the anus, being skinny or bloated, you could always get a feces out of the tank and have it tested for parasites at the lfs.

 

[Mariah]

Ok thanks everyone

 

[Mariah]

Well since ive been treating I have lost some but the ones that are still alive are swimming well and no white poop!
I just wanted to update everyone with my progress

 

[WILDER]

Sorry for the ones you have lost, hope the others are not infected, good luck.