Neon's Dead Or Dieing.

[Pipmoff]

Hi hope somebody on here can help me with some info on what could be wrong with my tank ( Jewel Vision 260 with hydor 20 external filter containing carbon and rowaphos). A couple of days ago I did a water test results were as follows Ph 6.2, Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrate 80ppm. I then did a partial water change of 50l to reduce the high nitrate level, water treated with stress coat and a little ammo lock. I also reduced the amount of co2 going into the tank to help raise the ph level back nearer to 7 where it normally is. Today however i noticed a neon tetra was gasping at the surface in amongst the floating fern then a couple of hours later it was dead now another 4 are dead and the remaining 5 are only just hanging on they started to look a little furry around the edge of their fins and started swimming vertically near the surface I did another partial water change today and took another set of tests Ph6.5, Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0.25ppm, Nitrate 30ppm. The remaining fish are now isolated in a small tank that is floating in the main tank I have treated the water with melafix and pimafix but it doesnt look good for them. All the other fish in the tank look healthy no sign of fungus but they do seem a little lethargic compared to normal. I had a neon die last week but when I found it its head was missing so I thought it had been chewed and killed but it may have died prior to be decapitated. The only other problem I have had was one black mollie had her eye's swell and go cloudy but she was moved into my corrie tank and treated until she recovered and gave birth then she was put back into the large tank where she is now fine. Any help or info would be much appriciated cheers Phil.

 

[WILDER]

You have quite a high ammonia reading there, plus nitrate is high i would do some water changes to get it down, neons are very sensitive fish to water quality this is why you have been losing them, and gasping at the top of the tank is a sign of bad water quality.
Do you have an airstone for extra aeration, plus how many fish and which type do you have in the tank.
Don't like the sound of the fluffy fins as it saying columnaris.
Not the writer of this information below.
Columnaris (a.k.a. Mouth Fungus)



Symptoms:

An infected fish will have off-white to gray cotton-like patches on the head, fins, gills, body and particularly the mouth. In time, these areas will develop into open sores. Gill swelling may occur, gill filaments may stick together and excessive mucus may develop in the gill area. Rapid breathing can be seen. Fins may deteriorate to the point of leaving the fin rays bare. Muscles may be inflamed and capillaries may rupture. Fish, particularly livebearers, may exhibit "shimmying". Infection may be acute (killing an infected fish within hours), or chronic (lingering for several days before eventually killing the fish). As with most diseases, not all symptoms need be present.



Cause:

The bacterium Flexibacter columnaris.



Treatment:

Ensure that your water conditions (e.g., Ammonia, Nitrite, pH, Nitrate levels, and water temp.) are within their proper ranges. If not, perform a water change and/or treat the water accordingly. Recommended medications include: Furanace, Fungus Eliminator, Fungus Cure, Furacyn, Furan-2, Triple Sulfa, E.M. Tablets, Tetracycline, or Potassium Permanganate. Medicated foods are also recommended. Columnaris can be highly infectious and may quickly kill all aquarium inhabitants; therefore, early treatment is essential. All fish, including those not yet showing visible symptoms, as well as the aquarium they inhabit should be treated.

 

[Pipmoff]

Unfortunately the neons have now all died. I have the air curtain running flat out now trying to oxgenate the water as much as possible. The other fish in there are 6 mollies, 4 platties, 1plec 6", 2 kissing gouramies and 2 dwarf gouramies. The ammonia was 0.25ppm which is not ideal but i didnt think it would be that bad being only just above an ideal 0ppm. I carried out another 35l water change and will do some more tom, I just hope that I dont loose any more fish through the night. Thanks for the input and fingers crossed.

 

[WILDER]

Ammonia reading should always be 0, good luck.

Not the writer of this information below.
Ammonia Poisoning



Symptoms:

The fish will hang just under the surface with labored breathing. Its gills will appear to be lilac in color. Red streaking may be seen throughout the body and fins. Fishes with ammonia poisoning will become lethargic and eventually die, maintaining their full coloring. The ammonia will damage their skin, gills, nerves and internal organs. The red streaking is due to hemorrhages (internal and external bleeding). Its mucous membranes of the skin and intestine are also destroyed. Damage also occurs to the brain and central nervous system.



Cause:

Abnormally high levels of ammonia.



Treatment:

Test the water to confirm the disease. If ammonia levels are high, perform an immediate water change. It’s also a good idea to use a chemical that will remove the ammonia. Activated carbon, Ammo-Lock, or Tetra Easy Balance.

 

[Pipmoff]

Cheers that could be it I have just done another smaller water change and added ammo lock but unfortunately my big male sailfin mollie died earlier I moved my 2 silver mollies and 1 plattie into my corrie tank as they didnt look very good and they seem to have picked up now. The mollie that died looks purfect no sign of disease or illness. I will do more water tests and carry on with water changes tom. Once again thanks for your guidance.

 

[Rooster]

Have you cleaned the filter recently, or just setup this tank ?
Sounds like its not cycled, or has been "reset"

 

[Pipmoff]

Yeh I did change some of the filter media a couple of weeks back which is when I added the carbon and the rowaphos to the filter. I had considered this and now I wish that I had left all the established filter wool in for the time being as this morning I had lost 2 platties and a dwarf gourami and they all look visually very healthy. I have just carried out another 50l water change and will do some more test to check ammonia level.