Newbie Need Help

[gladius]

Hi, I need help and lots of it!!

Just over a week ago I had a platy die for no reason, but when it was found in the morning it seemed to have a large swelling on it's side. A couple of days later another platy got a large white blister on its side, I was recommended to use anti internal bacteria treatment number 9. This cured the fish and all seemed fine until today when it died (before it died it was sitting a the bottom of the tank). Yesterday a guppy died with no really reason why. Today i have noticed at the bottom of the tank white cotton wool like bits floating at the bottom and stuck to one of the stones almost looks like white algae??

I have the fluval edge tank with the fluval heater (which seems useless) so today have bought a new heater yet to be fitted.

i don't have a proper test kit at the moment i am using the tetra 6 in 1 test strips (are these accurate enough??)

The fish in the tank at the moment seem to be ok, and am planning a small water change and gravel clean tonight.

Any ideas and answers to my hundreds of questions would be great!!! Thanks!

Tank size: 26 litre
pH:6.4
ammonia: ? - not on my test strips
nitrite: 0
nitrate:10
kH: 0
gH:0
tank temp: 71

Fish Symptoms: Dead! (see above)

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 26 litre last changed saturday - 20%-25% changed every 2 weeks

Tank inhabitants: presently 3 guppies and 1 platy

Exposure to chemicals: none

 

[WILDER]

Take a sample of your water to the lfs and ask them to write the readings down for you.
I would invest in some liquid test kits as there more accurate.

Were the scales sticking out on the fish that was bloated.
Or was it a lump beneath the skin.
Any cotton wool on the fish body or fins.
What does it look like when your fish go to the toilet.
Check the fish anus to see if it's enlarged, or red and inflamed.
What do you feed your fish.

Do another round of anti internal bacteria med by interpet.
You can double dose in severe cases. But it might knock your water stats.

 

[gladius]

Hi, thanks for the reply!

The scales all seemed fine, they were sticking out a little on the one that died today but only around the area she had the blister.

The first one that died the blister was definatley below the skin.

Now you come to mention it when they go to the toilet it is very long (much more than usual) and seems to hang for a long time.

The fish are fed on Tetra Min Crisps.

I have just added some more bacteria med, changed some of the water and fitted the new heater and will take a water sample to be tested tomorrow.

To top it all off the pump has just stopped working on the tank, i can't believe it . . . maybe i'm just not cut out for keeping fish!!!