Sick Fire Eel?

[Bordeaux]

I had ordered (1) fire eel in the mail. The company sent me (2) just in case one was DOA. However they have both made it alive. One is very healthy, the one I am concerned about will just lay in a single spot for hours on end (not hidden always sometimes out in the open) and just sit and what looks to be breathing really heavily. The healthy one has come to this one and nudged a couple times looking to get him on his "feet". I would just like to know if you guys could take the time to watch the posted video I have made and tell me your thoughts. It is a week old 55 gallon (tank) I have inserted all the essential salts and DE-chlorinating liquids. The temp is currently at 80 degrees and I have a dual wheel filter that filters my tank 7-8 times per hour. If i need to provide any more info please let me know.

1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc)
I am sorry I havent had a chance to check

2. A full description of the fishes symptoms.
Breathing heavily, not moving unless being touched

3. How often you do water changes and how much.
The tank is 1 week old and I have done 1 10% water change

4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water.
All the essentials to starting a tank and added the bit needed when I did the water change

5. What tank mates are in the tank.
3 cichlids; 3 ghost cat fish; 1 pleco; 2 fire eels

6. Tank size.
55 gallon tank (48 inches long)

7. Finally Have you recently added any new fish?
ghost cats and fire eels added at same time

Thank you,

Bordeaux

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMMAdTildGo

here is a second video of the eel as he has moved to new location (sorry for girlfriends music in the back ground)

http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=9B1NEihtljo

 

[Bordeaux]

He is just lying on his side breathing heavily. I would really like some info on how to help him. Thank you. I do NOT want him to suffer/die.

 

[Iiriva]

You should really check your water parameters asap to know if there is nitrite or ammonia. Is the tank cyckled?
Do a bigger water change and add stresscoat. Easy-life Voogle is really good, but tetra Aquasafe (it's also a dechlorinator) helps if Voogle is not available. The eel looks really pale, too.

 

[Bordeaux]

Yeah I have actually added all that stuff in there already. Today I will test it. The fire eel has actually passed away. I'm thinking something was originally wrong with him when I ordered him because I ordered (1) but (2) were sent incase "one died on arrival". That morning he did not have anything wrong with him just his breathing and his was lying on his back, when I came home he had a huge green bruise looking thing on his side.

Thanks for your advice I will see what I can do and update you.

 

[Martha689]

Good luck!

 

[sadguppy]

If the tank was one week old, how old was the filter? Sounds like it isn't properly cycled?

 

[Bordeaux]

If the tank was one week old, how old was the filter? Sounds like it isn't properly cycled?

the filter and all the components are brand new. I ran the cycle for 24 before I but the cichlids in there and then1 week later I added the fire eels. The other fire eel seems to be living healthy along with the cichlids. However now my algae eater has died. I originally thought it was distributors fault for death of the eel but now I'm starting to wonder if it is me!...All I can really do now is keep testing the water make sure its at its correct levels and time will tell I guess.

 

[SamLovesCorys]

Seems like even for a fish-in cycle 3 cichlids is way too many fish after 24 hours. What Cichlids are they out of interest?

Perhaps a bit more research on cycling would be a good idea.

Pleased you care though, good effort.

Cheers, Sam

 

[sadguppy]

You need to go to the beginner's section and check out fish-in cycling. This is nothing to do with the distributor but a build up of ammonia and no bacteria to deal with it. Very large (80%) changes very frequently (daily or more often) for around six weeks until its cycled, possibly shorter if you can get sin established filter media in your filter to seed it, is the only way to get through it safely.

 

[Bordeaux]

I appreciate all the help everyone. Today I woke up and my living fire eel is really pale. I have tested it myself and the water was fine but I am taking a sample to the store today and have it tested by them and I will let everyone know what the results are.

Thanks

Bordeaux