Tank size: 65 litres
pH: 7.2
ammonia: 0.0 (About 5 days ago there was about 0.1ish, but after cleaning out the totally clogged filter, this was rectified.)
nitrite: 1.0 (Very unusual. Established tank with water tested in the last day or two showing 0.0. Note: There has been the dead body of a rather large betta in the tank all night
)
nitrate: 10 (Tank is due for water change.)
kH: Unknown
gH: Unknown
tank temp: 27 celcius
Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
It starts with an area of 'grey' scales that look dead. Usually a small area. The fish seems to swim normally. This then starts to spread and the fish begins to act sick - hiding, staying at the surface (usually at the back of the tank), not eating very well, not swimming very well, looking pale, showing stress stripes. It literally looks like their bodies are dying - like decay is spreading. Eventually (or not, in Lilith's case), it reaches their vital organs and brains, and kills them. The dead areas look a little fungal, but it doesn't seem like a classic fungal infection. The 'furriness' is very minimal and it's this dead (or dead looking) tissue that is more pronounced.
Volume and Frequency of water changes:
35% ish every week and a half to two weeks. It is a very heavily planted tank so nitrites don't get high fast and at the moment with revision for exams water changes have been fortnightly. Normally they are weekly.
Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
Anti-fungal medications (yeah, I know, don't medicate before diagnosis. I panicked)
Stress Coat
Tank inhabitants:
Was: 6 female bettas, 11 neon tetras, 4 corys, a shrimp
Is: 3 female bettas (one dying), 8 neon tetras, 3 corys, a shrimp
Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
I was bad. I added 3 bettas (one of which died within days) two weeks ago. Then I added three more just over a week ago (all three died). Monitored water chemistry during this time and no spikes. Also added 4 neon tetra that I had had in Q/T for two weeks. Some of the dead fish showed the same symptoms I am seeing here so I believe they added it to the tank. No plants or decorations added recently.
Exposure to chemicals:
Minimal. The tank is in my bedroom and I am careful about deodorants etc.
Digital photo (include if possible):
Lilith is dead. This is the 9th fish to die from this tank in two weeks. Originally the only dying fish had been a group of very sickly girls that I got from P@H. Now, two of my 'original' fish have died - Lilith and a cory.
Some of the deaths seem to be explained by 'accidents' with the filter, but now I am not so sure. So many deaths all at once is making me think something is at least weakening the fish so that the filter can suck them up or they can be bullied to death.
In Lilith's case, she showed some very odd and scary symptoms, which were also shared by some of the dead girls from P@H.
Rei is also sick.
I am ripping the tank apart, disinfecting everything and putting everyone into isolation. Until this gets diagnosed, I won't be medicating unless there is something general I could do.
pH: 7.2
ammonia: 0.0 (About 5 days ago there was about 0.1ish, but after cleaning out the totally clogged filter, this was rectified.)
nitrite: 1.0 (Very unusual. Established tank with water tested in the last day or two showing 0.0. Note: There has been the dead body of a rather large betta in the tank all night
)nitrate: 10 (Tank is due for water change.)
kH: Unknown
gH: Unknown
tank temp: 27 celcius
Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
It starts with an area of 'grey' scales that look dead. Usually a small area. The fish seems to swim normally. This then starts to spread and the fish begins to act sick - hiding, staying at the surface (usually at the back of the tank), not eating very well, not swimming very well, looking pale, showing stress stripes. It literally looks like their bodies are dying - like decay is spreading. Eventually (or not, in Lilith's case), it reaches their vital organs and brains, and kills them. The dead areas look a little fungal, but it doesn't seem like a classic fungal infection. The 'furriness' is very minimal and it's this dead (or dead looking) tissue that is more pronounced.
Volume and Frequency of water changes:
35% ish every week and a half to two weeks. It is a very heavily planted tank so nitrites don't get high fast and at the moment with revision for exams water changes have been fortnightly. Normally they are weekly.
Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
Anti-fungal medications (yeah, I know, don't medicate before diagnosis. I panicked)
Stress Coat
Tank inhabitants:
Was: 6 female bettas, 11 neon tetras, 4 corys, a shrimp
Is: 3 female bettas (one dying), 8 neon tetras, 3 corys, a shrimp
Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
I was bad. I added 3 bettas (one of which died within days) two weeks ago. Then I added three more just over a week ago (all three died). Monitored water chemistry during this time and no spikes. Also added 4 neon tetra that I had had in Q/T for two weeks. Some of the dead fish showed the same symptoms I am seeing here so I believe they added it to the tank. No plants or decorations added recently.
Exposure to chemicals:
Minimal. The tank is in my bedroom and I am careful about deodorants etc.
Digital photo (include if possible):
Lilith is dead. This is the 9th fish to die from this tank in two weeks. Originally the only dying fish had been a group of very sickly girls that I got from P@H. Now, two of my 'original' fish have died - Lilith and a cory.
Some of the deaths seem to be explained by 'accidents' with the filter, but now I am not so sure. So many deaths all at once is making me think something is at least weakening the fish so that the filter can suck them up or they can be bullied to death.
In Lilith's case, she showed some very odd and scary symptoms, which were also shared by some of the dead girls from P@H.
Rei is also sick.
I am ripping the tank apart, disinfecting everything and putting everyone into isolation. Until this gets diagnosed, I won't be medicating unless there is something general I could do.
/www.flippersandfins.net/flexibacter.htm
