Please Help, All My Fish Are Dropping One After The Other

[jungleistmassiv]

Hi all

Have been in the fish keeping hobby for a few years now without a problem. Last week 3 of my ADF's died. Yesterday one of my clown loaches died, and today another 2 have died.

Now one of my harlequins is just floating in the tank, trying to straighten himself, but not having any luck.

I have tested the water and my ph is 7.6, ammonia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates are between 5 and 10.

None of my methods of tank maintenance has changed, and the fish have no visible diseases.

Any ideas what could be wrong? At this rate I will have no fish at all left in the morning


Thanks all

Rich.

 

[Axleuk]

Hi all

Have been in the fish keeping hobby for a few years now without a problem. Last week 3 of my ADF's died. Yesterday one of my clown loaches died, and today another 2 have died.

Now one of my harlequins is just floating in the tank, trying to straighten himself, but not having any luck.

I have tested the water and my ph is 7.6, ammonia 0, nitrites 0 and nitrates are between 5 and 10.

None of my methods of tank maintenance has changed, and the fish have no visible diseases.

Any ideas what could be wrong? At this rate I will have no fish at all left in the morning


Thanks all

Rich.

Looking at the fish that have died and looking at the fish that are still alive, do or did you see any signs of infection externally? Rotting tails etc...

When was the last time you did a water change?

Check the temperature of the water, do not rely on the heater as there are flucuations.

How long have you had the fish?

Have you introduced anything new to the tank recently.

Have you noticed an unusual swimming patterns?

What have you been feeding the fish and how often?

These are just a few questions that might help the more experienced members here diagnose potentials issues. If you can post your answers here, i am sure someone will be along shortly to offer some more help.

 

[jungleistmassiv]

thanks for you help, the fish that have died do look a bit pale, but then, don't all fish when they die? Apart from that, all dead/alive fish show no signs of illness, the last harlequin that died was swimming around happily a couple of hours ago.

I last did a water change at the weekend, I change the water every weekend, and change about 1/4 of the water with dechlorinator. The temperature is 24degrees.

2 of the ADF's that died, I have had about a year, the other one I have had about a month. The clown loaches I have had about 2 months. The harlequins, about 2 years.

I feed the fish flake twice a day and feed the bottom feeders once in the evening. I fed the ADF's brineshrimp/bloodworms/Daphinia until they died.

Thanks again
Rich.

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.

Any signs of excess mucas on the fish body or gills.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Fish that go pale or darker in colour, act listless or lethagic and sometimes stop eating
can be signs of a bacterial infection.

 

[jungleistmassiv]

thanks for that. Its a 200 litre tank. As for my stocking,

2 Balloon mollies
1 kissing gourami
5 neons
3 xray tetras
3 harlequins
2 albino catfish
1 ram
and 2 clown loaches.

I did notice a few days back one of the mollies was flicking against the sand. I didnt think much of it as I didnt see him do it again, and none of the others have done it. None of the fish have any signs of mucus on their fins or gills, they all look perfectley healthy. I've spoke to a friend and he suggests it could be an infection as you suggest. I have added some anti internal bacteria to the tank, so I will see what happens.

Thanks
Rich.

 

[WILDER]

The clown loaches will need a bigger tank as they get bigger in size.
Good luck hope the bacterial med sorts it out.

 

[jungleistmassiv]

Thanks, will let you know how it goes!

 

[jungleistmassiv]

Lost the last 2 clown loaches and another harlequin today. How long should it be before the medication starts taking effect? It says to repeat the dosage after 4 days. Should I do it again after, or should that cure it?

Thanks
Rich

 

[WILDER]

R.I.P.
Did the clown loaches look on the thin side.
Carry on with the med it can take a while to work.
What med are you usingSorry you are using the anti internal bacteria med by interpet.
Uk meds are only good on mild bacterial infections and thats it.

 

[jungleistmassiv]

Yes the clown loaches were quite thin, they were still young, only just over an inch long. Yes its the interpret anti internal bacteria. So I should keep adding it every 4 days, and keep up with my normal water changes?

Thanks for your help.

 

[WILDER]

If they were very thin they had internal parasites will get you a link.
[URL="http/www.bollmoraakvarieklubb.org/artikl...raktbotia/clown"]http/www.bollmoraakvarieklubb.org/artikl...raktbotia/clown[/URL] loach.htm

Taken from the link.


Loss of weight or "skinny disease" is also quite common in Clown loaches. Typical symptoms are loss of weight and behaviour known as "knifeback" even though the fish is acting and eating normally. This sickness is more difficult to treat, it comes from a parasite organism (spironucleus) in the intestines of the same type that is thought to cause the so called "discus disease". I have successfully removed this disease from newly imported fish by using Spirohexol from JBL in the form of tablets. I have taken one tablet and crushed it and dissolve it in as little water as possible. I have then used discus granules which have been soaked in the solution. It becomes like a thick porridge after a short time when the food has drawn in the liquid. I then feed this to the sick fishes, after a week it looks like the sickness is gone. For the best possible effect do not feed with any other food. Flagyl (Metronidazole) also helps fight against this sickness but at least here in Sweden it is on prescription and can be a little difficult to come by.



Apart from this Clown loaches are not more susceptible than other fish, the above sickness usually occurs in fish that have been stressed during transport or subjected to other stress factors like cold water or poor aquarium hygiene. Do not buy fish that look emaciated! Well looked after fish are seldom sick. To quote my friend Elisabeth Hallberg; "the best way to avoid sickness is to keep the fish healthy".