Sudden Swordtail Death?

[Leeore]

Hey there. It has been awhile since I posted. Bellow is the completed "form"...but a brief explanation of whats been happening with my tank first. Iv been forced to move like crazy...iv had to move my tank to diff locations 3 times now in the past 4 months. I know...horrible. But life happened to kick me in the butt. Anyway, my tank was fully cycled before the first move. 0 ammonia and nitrites, bout 30 nitrates. (I had 2 mollies in it at the time). After the first move, I was lucky some of my bacteria survived so I didnt have to keep an eye on the ammonia etc too much. Shortly after the second move I cycled my tank again and purchased 2 Pineapple Swordtails...thinking I didnt have to move again. Well my luck kicked in and I did. This was about 2 months ago. Presently, iv had my tank set up for the 2ish months. I noticed my water started to get cloudy so I checked the ammonia etc...it really wasnt high at all. Then my fish started acting strange...clamped fins. Just not..there normal selves. Whitish poo, kinda...stringy and clear. So panicking, I went to the fish store and purchased Maracyn - the 8 pack powder formula. As directed by the sales person...add more salt, treat for 5 days. I did so, and since I had to change my old gunky filter pack anyways I did so with a new carbon pack at the end of the 5 days and I changed about 90% of the water. Which I know has pretty much killed off all my bacteria. Its been about a week since that, and my water is still a little cloudy.There is a strong smell coming from the tank...the ammonia is low what can it be? My mollies look very bloated..the black sailfin flicks?. The other swordtail now darts around the tank, when not just sitting still. Has never done this before, I assumed he misses his friend. Pics provided as best I could...they are a little camera shy:

Still a wee tike..my baby female dal
Female dal...her fins are clamped most of the time. Stress from the male pushing her around?
My male sailfin...other swordtail in background
I will try feeding them pea's. I noticed my one swordtail started showing the symptoms listed below. I went out last night for the night, checking up on him before I left...he was hiding. I got back today to find him dead on the floor of the tank. (RIP Zorro ) I will provide a picture. His spine looked curved? Sorry for the novel, just wanted to explain whats been going on with my poor tank! The only thing I can think of is my filter as a whole sucks? Its a tetra whisper PF10. It seems to be working fine. But I noticed the flow isnt what it used to be. No gunk around the spinning part. Any suggestions? Thank you


1. Water parameters. (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, PH, temp', Hardness etc)
(Just tested now...was planning to do a change anyways before fish was found)
I use the API freshwater master kit.
-Ammonia: Looks just SlIGHTLY above 0.
-Nitrite: 0
-Nitrate: My tired eyes see...25ish
-PH: 7.6
-Temp: I try to keep it around 75F but my room temp varies and is hot alot...so its usually around 75-80.

2. A full description of the fishes symptoms:
Became..listless. Started hiding, clamped fins. Still ate..slight red streaks down each side? Not sure if that is how they look. My other has it aswell. Jagged fins. I noticed last night he started rubbing against the gravel.

3. How often you do water changes and how much.
10-15% a week.

4. Any chemicals and treatments you add to the water.
Just water conditioner, and salt. 2 tablespoons of it.

5. What tank mates are in the tank.
One other swordtale, male. 1 Black male sailfin Molly, 2 female dalmation molly.

6. Tank size.
10 Gallons

7. Finally Have you recently added any new fish?
I added the swordtails about 2 months or so ago.

 

[WILDER]

It pointing towarda a number of things.

First thing we need to look at is what your water smell like.
Does it smell like rotten eggs or sulphor.

Darting can mean bad water quality, ph shock, parasites, bacterial, the fish is dying, toxins, overdose of meds.

Flicking can be bad water quality, something irratating them, parasites, bacterial.

Being bloated can be constipation, dropsy, swim bladder, internal parasites.

White stringy white poo can be internal parasites,bacterial infection, constipation.
Clear poo can be internal parasites, bacterial infection, the fish isn't eating.

Red streaking can be septicemia.

Curved spine. Old age, injury, birth defect, fish tb, internal parasites, vitamin deficiency.


Check the anus to see if it looks enlarged or red and inflamed.
Have you had any fish that looked skinny or had sunken in bellys.
Do any fish swim on there sides.

Looking at internal parasites to fish tb.

 

[Leeore]

It pointing towarda a number of things.

First thing we need to look at is what your water smell like.
Does it smell like rotten eggs or sulphor.

Darting can mean bad water quality, ph shock, parasites, bacterial, the fish is dying, toxins, overdose of meds.

Flicking can be bad water quality, something irratating them, parasites, bacterial.

Being bloated can be constipation, dropsy, swim bladder, internal parasites.

White stringy white poo can be internal parasites,bacterial infection, constipation.
Clear poo can be internal parasites, bacterial infection, the fish isn't eating.

Red streaking can be septicemia.

Curved spine. Old age, injury, birth defect, fish tb, internal parasites, vitamin deficiency.


Check the anus to see if it looks enlarged or red and inflamed.
Have you had any fish that looked skinny or had sunken in bellys.
Do any fish swim on there sides.

Looking at internal parasites to fish tb.

Thank you for the reply!

The smell - I suppose it best matches the smell of sulpher. No enlarged or red/inflamed anuses on any of the fish. No fish that have had skinny or a sunken belly look, and no fish have swam on their sides. Say it is internal parasites, is the Maracyn good for that or should I purchase another product? I have 3 packets remaining from when I bought the 8 pack box.

 

[WILDER]

A sulpher smell can mean there bad bacteria rampant in your tank.
Can you get this med.

Kanacyn
Manufacturer: Aquatronics
A gram positive and gram negative bacteria treatment for red streaks or hemorrhaging, dropsy, fin and tail rot, inflamed gills, protruding or loss of scales, fungal infections, vibrio, tuberculosis, wasting away and body ulcers.

Antibiotics wipe the benefical bacteria out in the filter.
But if it's fish tb it wants wiping out.

How old was the fish with the bent spine.
Was it caused by an injury.

 

[Leeore]

A sulpher smell can mean there bad bacteria rampant in your tank.
Can you get this med.

Kanacyn
Manufacturer: Aquatronics
A gram positive and gram negative bacteria treatment for red streaks or hemorrhaging, dropsy, fin and tail rot, inflamed gills, protruding or loss of scales, fungal infections, vibrio, tuberculosis, wasting away and body ulcers.

Antibiotics wipe the benefical bacteria out in the filter.
But if it's fish tb it wants wiping out.

How old was the fish with the bent spine.
Was it caused by an injury.

Unfortunatly I dont think I can get Kanacyn. I live in Canada, and it dosn't look like the stores carry it here. He didn't have a bent spine before, just when I found him at the bottom of the tank. Im not sure of his age, but im assuming not too old.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
Try maracyn one and two then.

With having livebearers I would also think about worming your fish for internal parasites like camallanous worms.

This med is available for internal parasites in canada.

Gel-Tek Ultra Cure PX
Ultra Cure PX is a revolutionary way to treat internal parasites in both freshwater and saltwater fish. With metronidazole and praziquantel, Ultra Cure PX helps control a variety of parasites such as intestinal worms, nematodes, tapeworms, flagellates, fish heartworms, and hexamita. Innovative Gel-Teknology directly treats infected fish and helps prevent secondary infections, which can often occur during periods of infestations. Ultra Cure PX contains fish pheromones to entice and enhance feeding behavior without clouding the aquarium water. Ultra Cure PX is safe for all saltwater and freshwater fish and especially useful with catfish, cichlids, goldfish, and other bottom feeders.

Active Ingredients:
Praziquantel 0.0057%
Flubenol 0.03%
Metronidazole 0.30%

Directions for Use: Hold back all feeding for 1 day before using. Then use Ultra Cure PX as the only product offered to the fish when fed. Add to the aquarium with the dropper tip on the bottle. Hold bottle 2 inches above water surface and squeeze. Offer at least 5 drops per fish twice a day. Repeat every 24 hours for 3 days. For nocturnal fish, add drops when light is off at night.

 

[Leeore]

Thank you Wilder I will add the Gel-Tek soon. One last question if I may? My other swordtail seems fine, he eats, he still swims around...although much less now. However whenever I approach the tank to feed them, he goes abosutly crazy swimming up and down the back of the tank and all over. Iv even heard him smack on the gravel a few times...poor thing. But as soon as I leave he goes back to "normal". He has never done this before. Do you think it's because of the passing of his buddy? Should I buy another swordtail for him after I situate the possible bacterial/parasite problem?

Thanks!

 

[WILDER]

Does he swim in circles fast as than can be internal parasites that have damaged the brain.

Swimming up and down the glass fast can be stress.

Darting can be bad water quality,toxins, overdose of meds, parasites, bacterial, ph shock, the fish is dying.

 

[Leeore]

Does he swim in circles fast as than can be internal parasites that have damaged the brain.

Swimming up and down the glass fast can be stress.

Darting can be bad water quality,toxins, overdose of meds, parasites, bacterial, ph shock, the fish is dying.

Not circles, just up and down. And as mentioned it's only when I approach the tank. Looking at him from a distance he is happily calmly swimming. When the other fish was alive he stayed close to him alot.

 

[WILDER]

Ok.

it sounds like stress. Try to walk up to the tank quietly till he gets used to it.