Mystery ammonia (maybe)

[steeltown]

I just checked my 55 gallon 2 days ago, and I have slight ammonia spike, not sure what happened. It's a cycled tank that's been up and running for over 10 years, no new fish/equiptment changes/or differing water changes. I did notice that a kuli loach was missing.:confused: No sign of him in or around the tank. And I can always find them when siphoning my gravel. (my weekly kuli loach head count)
I know a decaying fish can cause an ammonia increase. Assuming this is the cause, how often should I change the water to get it under control? Should I do anything else. All fish are handling it well so far.
Thanks for any info you can throw my way.

By the way this is the same tank I was prev. refering to. Which brings up another question. How long after getting no ammonia readings do I wait to add another fish?

[OrionGirl]

I would do water changes if it were my tank. And, I would wait until the water parameters have been stable for at least a 3 days. If you can find the body, you should be able to prevent it from getting worse. There's not much to a kuhli, but it could cause some additional increases to ammonia if not removed.

Why do you think the kuhli died? They tend to live about 5 years, IME, and are prety hardy buggers.

[steeltown]

well, this tank was originally owned by the doctor I work for and she had them forever (as she put it) before I got it. They are actually the only original fish left of her's. So I guess they are just getting on in years. They do like to burrow and occasionally no matter how careful I am one will come shooting out of the gravel near my siphon. I hope I didn't....um....end his life early by squishing him:(

One more good reason to change this tank to sand. Then I won't even have to touch the substrate with the siphon. But that idea was also put on hold due to ammonia problem.

have a good day:)