Dead Fish

[Mongrel]

I seem to be having a problem. Is there anything I can do about my fish getting stuck to the intake on my filter? I checked on them one day they are fine, go back the next day they are stuck to the intake (dead). Is there something I can put over the filters intake or is there a trick to help alleviate this problem

[Fish Hunter]

You may have other problems. Generally healthy fish would be strong enough not to get stuck to the filter. Your fish may be dieing and then getting sucked in. what type of fish? what size aquarium? what kind of filter? how long has the tank been set up? answer these question and we may solve your problem.

[Mongrel]

I have Blood Fin Tetras, had 2 golden mollies 1 red platty. One mollie died and so did the platty. I have a 55 gallon and had it setup for 5 months or so. The filter is a Fluval 404.

[Fish Hunter]

I would check your water paramaters with some test kits. I would say something else is killing the fish and then you find them dead sucked against the filter. What are your amonia, nitrate and ph levels? were these fish new? If the tank was set up for 5 months did you ever have this problem before? wouldn't make any scense that the filter would just start sucking up fish when it never did before? Would it?

[Mongrel]

That is what is puzzling me. Those fish are about 2 months old now and my water parameters were fine 2 days ago. What is the shelf life of water tests. Maybe I should buy new ones, maybe the tests are wrong?

[Fish Hunter]

I am not sure but I think the test last a long time. I have mine pretty long and to my knowledge they work fine.

[wetmanNY]

"Fine?" Which "parameters?" Any detectable ammonia or nitrite at all? Any change in the usual pH? (What readings?). What is your alkalinity ("KH")?

What are the dates on your test kits?

[Mongrel]

I checked all my readings this morning and found that my Ph is at 7.0, Ammonia is just about 0 Nitrate and Nitrites are not detected. As far as Kh goes I do not have a test kit for that, I am going out to get one.
I don't know what the dates are on the test kits because they are at home, I forgot to look. I just bought them when I bought the tank, I know that probally doesn't mean anything.

[OrionGirl]

Any ammonia present can injure the fish. Was the tank completely cycled when the fish were added? I agree that the filter is likely not killing the fish, but that something else is the problem.

[wetmanNY]

Hmm. Everything does sound "fine." And with a pH naturally at 7.0, your alkalinity is unlikely to be dangerously low.

Three main possibilities that occure to me, anyway: Toxic something in the water. Or a fast-moving parasite. Or a virulent bacterial infection.

Keep an eye out for clues in changed behavior or appearance.

Meanwhile, I always begin with a good water change. I'd add fresh carbon to the filtration.

What's your chloramine situation there?