Sick Red Serpeye Tetra [pics]

[aturner]

I don't know whether this is relevant... My sponge filter was intermittently getting blocked and the ammo rose to 5ppm and the nitrite 10ppm for a few days. Perhaps this was the trigger, I don't know? The water problems have been fixed with an external pump/filter now.


One of my two Red Serpeye Tetra's is sick and I need some advice please:

The body is swollen and off-colour (darker). A white spot has now appeared on either side.

For reference, here's the other one in the tank:

I'd really appreciate knowing what I can do to help this poor guy (please).



Tank size: 60l
pH: <not known>
ammonia: Now 0ppm, was 5ppm
nitrite: Now 0ppm, was 10ppm
nitrate: 5ppm
kH: <not known>
gH: <not known>
tank temp: 24 deg C

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Lethargic, bloated and off colour (darker). In the past few days 2 white spots have appeared on each side.

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 25% weekly with 5ml Amquel

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: none

Tank inhabitants: Platys, Neon Tetras, Clown Loaches, Plec, Mountain Minnows

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Platys

Exposure to chemicals: none

[Edited for bad nitrate reading]

 

[*Fishkies*]

How many serpae tetra's do you have in the tank all together?
Do you know how long you have had this serpae tetra ?

Nitrate should not be zero, there should be a small reading. Ammonia and nitrite should be zero. If your numbers are not like that your tank is not cycled officially.

 

[Spooky76]

I think fishkies meant ammonia and nitrite should be 0, but you should have a nitrate reading.
i think your fish has reacted to the poor water quality. I think fish can get ammonia burns.
Wouldnt do any harm to add some melafix

 

[aturner]

How many serpae tetra's do you have in the tank all together?
Do you know how long you have had this serpae tetra ?

Nitrate should not be zero, there should be a small reading. Ammonia and nitrite should be zero. If your numbers are not like that your tank is not cycled officially.

There are two altogether and I've had them for about 6 months.

I messed up the nitrate reading (I didn't RTFM), just taken a reading of 5ppm.