Neon acting stragely

[shemesh]

Have just seen one of my neons floating around the tank in all sorts of positions - upside down mainly. It's as if its fins aren't working properly. Now I can't find it at all!

Noticed this morning that the neons are hanging out at the top of the tank, hiding in the floating plants. The Danios are also pretty much sticking to the top of the tank, sucking air. The corys are acting normally.

I did water tests this morning and everything seems fine - PH 7, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0.25 and Nitrate 10.

Any ideas what is making them stay up top?

 

[WILDER]

You need to to a water change straight away you have a high nitrite reading, do you have an airsone for extra aeration, the neons had had it i'm afraid very sensitive to water quality.

 

[shemesh]

No airstone. Thought the Nitrite was a low level?

 

[WILDER]

Nitrite has to be 0 reading if not your tank is still cyling, anything above 020 is leathal to fish.
http/www.thetropicaltank.co.uk/cycling2.htm

 

[IMCL85]

go buy a powerhead or install a pump either is good. Just increase the water current during this time.

 

[shemesh]

Thanks Wilder - didn't realise it was a dangerous level. Have done 30% water change and removed (now dead) neon. First casualty

Rest of fish appear to have picked up.

That's the first time I've had any nitrites in the tank. Wonder if it could be anything to do with the courgette I gave them. The seemed to enjoy it...

Ang

PS - would it be a good idea to have an airstone?

 

[WILDER]

How big is the tank, how many fish and which type, how long did you leave the courgette in the tank, i could alter it abit but not that high i would of thought, added any meds recently.

 

[shemesh]

No meds. Do 25% water changes each week. I test the water twice a week.

It's a 10 gallon, with 5 Pearl Danios, 3 corydoras, 5 neons.

There was courgette in for a couple of days on Friday and another piece in on Tuesday.

 

[WILDER]

It's sligtly overstocked but not to much, what filter do you use.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry didn't notice that last sentence for some reason i would say it was the veg then, always remove them after aday or they will mess with the water like it has done, just some daily water changes to fetch it back down, good luck.