Strange Illness Spreading Through Tank

[-FighterFishh]

Hi all!
One of my fish has been acting very strangely for the past few weeks, but now it's spread to one of my other fish too.
My male swordtail has been hiding under a slate cave in the tank for weeks. He hasn't been venturing out to eat, and when he does come out he seems to swim really strangely. He also breathes really rapidly and seems to have to keep moving his fins to stay stable. Now my female sword is showing symptoms too, and a couple of days ago started hiding in the cave, though she still comes out to eat.
The rest of the tank mates have become incredibly skittish, jumping at the slightest sound but otherwise acting normally. No one has any outward signs of disease like spots or fungus.

Readings stand at
0ppm Ammonia
0ppm Nitrite
10ppm Nitrate

I tested the water using my API liquid master test kit.

Most recent living additions to the tank are 9 pygmy corydoras about a month or so ago, and they're completely unaffected along with the endlers, hybrids and swordtail babies.
Most recent decor addition was a piece of bogwood I transferred from one of my bettas tanks in January, which was cleaned thoroughly before I added it in.

I've tried a course of eSHa 2000 as it treats a wide range of illnesses, but it didn't make any change, and neither did any large water changes.

I have no idea what's causing it or what 'it' actually is! Any help at all would be much appreciated!
Thank you!

 

[mattyeatsmatts]

"breathes really rapidly"

Not enough oxygen? What's the temp

Is the water surface being agitated enough?

 

[-FighterFishh]

Water agitation is good, have the outlet sitting just underneath the surface so it's definitely getting enough oxygen. I also have quite a few live plants in there.

Temp is at 26* C.

 

[FishFanatic04]

You need to watch for their poop. You are describing some similar symptoms that I have been. Check for a white stringy poop.

 

[-FighterFishh]

You need to watch for their poop. You are describing some similar symptoms that I have been. Check for a white stringy poop.

I'll keep an eye out for it! Did you find out what was happening in your tank?

 

[FishFanatic04]

Not 100% on a true diagnosis but its internal parasites and "maybe" external ones too. I have been searching for answers for a month, before someone on here told me what they thought.

If you see white poop, then get a REAL medication and not some silly store bought one, if you can. I have been dealing for a month with this, and my fish kept dying while the the store bought meds weren't working. {4 different ones}


I hope that you aren't having the same issue, really.

 

[-FighterFishh]

Not 100% on a true diagnosis but its internal parasites and "maybe" external ones too. I have been searching for answers for a month, before someone on here told me what they thought.

If you see white poop, then get a REAL medication and not some silly store bought one, if you can. I have been dealing for a month with this, and my fish kept dying while the the store bought meds weren't working. {4 different ones}


I hope that you aren't having the same issue, really.

My male sword hasn't been pooping because he doesn't come up to eat, however I'll keep an eye on the others, especially my female.

I just took a look and the swords were hiding, but the hybrids and the endlers poo was normal.
Do you think it's worth picking up a parasite medicine and seeing if that makes a difference?

 

[FishFanatic04]

I am waiting for a new medication to come in the mail, because I can't get it locally. When it comes I was told to mix it into frozen food and refreeze it. then feed it to my fish that are still eating. I have to treat the tank for the ones that won't eat. But since my fish have been sick so long, I have a hospital tank set up.


The whole story was so I could answer you....Maybe you can try feeding some medicated food to your fish and see if the others that are acting funny get better.

 

[-FighterFishh]

Old topic but I thought I should update it...

I lost my male swordtail about 2 weeks ago, just found him dead one morning with his mouth wide open
My female started hiding but since a few rounds of treating with Interpet anti internal bacteria she's always out and is maintaining a good diet. None of the other fish are showing any symptoms and as I type this she's swimming about with the hybrids

Thank you so much for your advice you guys, looks like I've gotten rid of it