Tree Leaf Mistake Killed My Fish?

[juwelfan]

I think i made a very big mistake. I collected Oak tree leaves from a local park to add to my tank (decore), I didnt boil or treat them in anyway before adding them to the tank (dont know what i was thinking). Some sank, the rest floated.
After a few days a fungus/slime like semi-transparent white mass appeared on the leaves and on the twigs (sticks) some of the smaller leaves were attached to.
Another day passed and i noticed one Glowlight tetra had finrot/fungus like symptoms. Then a Lemon tetra, this time the fish also had a red soar/wound next to/underneath the fungus. I treated them for Finrot/fungus, the Glowlight died that evening. The next day i found the Lemon tetra dead, then two other Glowlights died that evening.

The only change was the addition of the leaves, could they have carried a fungus that effected the fish? or Bacteria?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

 

[Davo86]

The only change was the addition of the leaves, could they have carried a fungus that effected the fish? or Bacteria?

It is quite possible that that was the case, however i would check your parameters (nitrate, nitrite, Ammonia and Ph).
Obviously with rotting leaves in the tank it could also be possible that this bumped up the toxins in the water, (This is also why its important to remove dead leaves in tanks with lots of live plants)

 

[juwelfan]

Water stats = all fine, been stable through out.

 

[CFC]

It was most likely a bacteria that was introduced by the untreated leaves. When adding leaves for a leaf litter tank it is important to first dry the leaves out until they are crispy and have no moisture and then boil them for a couple of minutes before adding them to the tank.

 

[juwelfan]

Cheers CFC, I think i will be taking more care on adding anything to the aquarium in future.