Rainbow Fish Dying

[Dana C]

Hi,

I bought 5 rainbow fish 3 weeks ago and after a couple of days one was looking bloated and hung around near the top of the water all the time fast breathing. I treated with a bacterial med but he died anyway.

The other 4 rainbow fish became covered in white spots so I started using protozin, they passed the white spot on to my other fish. Another of the rainbow fish started hanging around the top of the water breathing fast again, and he died monday night.

I am now on the second course of protozin and most of the fish are spot free including one of the rainbow fish who looks fine. The other 2 only have a few spots now but are now at the top of the tank fast breathing, when they poo it is white and very thin like a hair strand.

Is there any way I can save these 2 fish?

 

[WILDER]

Parasites are nasty and once they effect the gills and they labour breath they dont malke it, parasites can cause bacterial infections on top.
Can you post stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,enad ph, and have you increase aeration in the tank.

 

[Dana C]

Thanks for your reply,

I tested my water this afternoon ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 30, I have added an airstone.

Is there anything I can do or do I have to just wait for them to die?

 

[WILDER]

Stats are good so it looks like the parasites have done there worse on attacking the gills, if you have no scaless fish you could add some salt to the tank one tablespoon to 5gal but best to add it gradually rather than one big dose while they get used to it. Good lucl.

 

[Dana C]

I have cories so I don't think I can add salt, is there anything else I can do?

If salt really will help them would it be worth treating the 2 fish in another tank as I would like to save them if possible.

 

[WILDER]

You can add salt with corys as long as it not much, like say a 10gal 2 teaspoons only.

 

[Dana C]

I have a 180 litre tank so how much salt should I add?
I have api aquarium salt is this ok?

Sorry if I am being stupid but what does the salt do, will it help repair any damage to the gills?
Will I need a bacterial med aswell to use after I have finished with the whitespot med?

Thanks for all your help.

 

[WILDER]

Just add 4 teaspoons of salt, don't need a bacterial med if the fish don't have a bacteria infecion on top.
the salt will help the gills, but if the parasite has done it damage to the gills the fish won't make it, sorry.

 

[Dana C]

Thanks,

I will add the salt tomorrow when I will be home all day, so I can keep a watch on the fish and make sure they all cope with it allright.

 

[WILDER]

This should help explain it.
http/cichlid-forum.com/articles/ich.php

 

[Dana C]

Thanks for the link, very helpful.

 

[Dana C]

Before I add the salt I just want to check it won't affect my other fish, will neons, glowlights and harlequins be ok.

 

[WILDER]

Yes they will be ok, just got to be careful with the corys and neon tetra can't tolerate to much salt, good luck.

 

[Dana C]

Hi,

I just thought I would let you know what happened, sadly the third rainbowfish died on friday before I had even had chance to use the salt and the fourth one died last night.

I guess they were too far gone, so in less than 4 weeks I have gone from 5 rainbow fish to having just 1 who seems fine but I am keeping a close watch on her.

It is very sad so I don't think I will buy from that shop again, and I have learned to always keep any new fish on there own in another tank for a while before adding them to my main tank.

Thank you Wilder for trying to help and all your advice.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P.
Been there with lfs and bad stock, yes your'e right always best to issolate the fish for a few weeks just to make sure there not fetching anything into the tank.