Rapid Gill Movement

[jamie2010]

hi all .i have just purchased a new pair of pelvicachromis taeniatus (nigerian red kribs) from my lfs on saturday.since then the male has been hugging the bottom of the tank hardly moving at all,and his gills are working overtime.i done all the new fish introduction routine and didnt rush him into the tank.but im really worrid now as he's not taken any food from what i can make out.
any help would be great
stats are
ph 7
ammonia 0ppm
nitrite 0ppm
nitrate 20ppm
please help guys
ta jamie

 

[PaulasPets]

Hi,

do you have any other fish in the tank? Rapid gill movement could be a sign of lack of oxigen. Do you have plants in the tank and are you dosing CO2?

Paula

 

[jamie2010]

yeah all the other fish a just fine,even the female of the pair.i am however dosing co2 to my plants.but i always have my air pump on24/7.should i remove the co2 units?

 

[PaulasPets]

Yes, you could try to turn the CO2 off for a while. Do you have any idea how much CO2 you have in your water?

Paula

 

[jamie2010]

im running 2 of the nutrafin units they're good for 70litres each my tank is 125l so im useing 2.

im not exactly sure how much co2 i have in the tank tho,you mix the sachets and away you go.iv never had any problems before.

 

[PaulasPets]

ANy numbers on how much CO2 is actually in your water? You can work that out with a ph and Kh testkit

Paula

 

[jamie2010]

iv got a chemical test kit,i do the readings once a week.its got ph but no kh test.can i measure it with the ph alone?
if so would you tell me please.

 

[PaulasPets]

no, you'll need both. Check out this thread for the table to work out your CO2.
You can add oxygen to the water by pushing air thru one of those airstones, also lowering your temperature a bit will help: lower temp water can hold more oxygen.

Paula

 

[jamie2010]

ok iv just tested all my stats again all were fine EXCEPT PH
this was about 6.4
dunno wot drugs im taking.
or its just fallen rapidly,so iv disconnected one of the co2 units and done a watewr change the ph is now at a good 7.but this maychange as the hours pass.
i'll pop to my lfs in the morning and get a kh test for future tests.its just a bit odd seeing that none of the other fish displayed any sighn of stress or change.but you live and learn eh.
just hope my little mate is strong enough to weather the storm.

 

[jamie2010]

little fella was dead this morning.im guna take him back to the shop tho with a water sample.none of my other fish displayed any signs of illness.so i think i was sold a duffer.






well the guy in the fish shop tested my water from the sample i provied and agreed to replace my fish.
im still gutted about losing the original male ,but atleast the female might fom a pairing with the new one.