Rapid Gill movement/ breathing help

[777james777]

Iv had my tank for 4 years and had no problems
It was coming up to my water change day and I noticed my fish (all 4 remaining rummy nose) were breathing rapidly
Iv done the usual water change (same as always and it’s still happening, in the last 24 hours a rummy and a tiger barb have died, now one of my cardinals is up at the top almost gasping for air

Iv done a test kit for ammonia nitrate nitrite etc and all is fine

I have added a large piece of “spiderwood” the other day but I’m 95% sure they were breathing heavy prior to this
Any ideas…

 

[777james777]

There all just still in one place “panting”

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

That wood is notorious for causing issues in aquariums

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I would take it out and do another big water change....get some decent surface agitation going to increase oxygen in the water column

 

[GaryE]

I see something different, but not with clarity. Look at the top of the head on 3 of those fish. It appears that there are flat white patches (unless it's a trick of the camera) that I don't recall seeing on any of the three South American fish sold as rummys. As well, those noses aren't looking red.

As always with internet photo responses, it's what you see that's going to matter. But there are parasites that present like that - treatment-wise, relatives of velvet, oddinium parasites (that isn't velvet though). It can also be bacterial infections, to complicate life. That you can't really treat with what you can get. Often, they can relate to too long between water changes as well as to stress.

 

[MattW]

When I set up a tank a couple of years back, it had fresh spiderwood. I added in some embers, and the next morning I found them gasping at the surface. From what was said after posting about it, it seemed the white fuzz that grows on the wood loves oxygen, especially when it's abundant in the first few days. Essentially, it took the oxygen out of the water column meant for the fish and used it all up for itself. Definitely agree to increase surface agitation with an airstone or filter outlet above the water line.

 

[777james777]

I have removed the wood and raised the pump above the water, Iv managed to do a small water change quickly before getting the baby in bath / bed

I’m really annoyed that wood wasn’t cheap, why do they sell it

 

[MattW]

It's actually a good hardscape option to use. The problem is the start of its life in an aquarium. Waterlogging can be a pain, the fungus/fuzz issue and attaching plants to it isn't always easy. You can put it back in, but make sure you have surface agitation 24/7 so your O2 levels are sufficient.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Interesting what you suggest about the white fuzz I never thought about that being the issue...I always wondered if perhaps the wood leached something nasty into the water? I always had shrimp that would eat the fuzz before it developed into a thing but the fish would react the same way. Ether way, increasing oxygen and frequency of water changes for a little while won't hurt

 

[777james777]

Iv removed the wood, changed some water and put the pump higher than the surface- within an hour, the colour has come back to the rummy nose’s and the “breathing” has decreased almost back to normal

 

[Essjay]

A few years ago I bought some AquaOne azalea root, which is the same as spider wood. I left it in some water to sink before putting in the tank and within days the water went very cloudy and the wood was covered in slime. I washed the slime off and changed the water every couple of days but gave up after a few weeks as the water never stopped going cloudy and the slime also never stopped reappearing. Maybe the slime was harmless but I didn't want a tank so cloudy I couldn't see the fish so I never used it.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

I wonder if that wood is treated with something before it's sold?

Edited to add...

Just did a very quick search and apparently fresh cut azalea carries something called grayanotoxin in its leaves and sap that causes nervous system failure and respiratory arrest in fish. It's supposedly absolutely safe after it's died and dried out though?

 

[GaryE]

I'm very glad to be wrong...

My suggestion would be to soak the wood in a tub - backyard, back balcony, wherever. Once again, my cheapskate ways save me...I collect hardwood pieces I see when I'm kayaking clean rivers. I know, clean rivers can be hard to come by.