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View Full Version : African Tangerines Killed by Snails?



OH240
05-29-2008, 9:31 AM
Buddy of mine has a 55g African Rift.

79-81 degrees
PH- 7.9
Ammonia- 0
Nitrate- 0
Nitrite- .25

Stocked w/ 1 Debousi, 2 electric yellow, 2 julie, 1 bristlenose, 3 catfish, 4 yellow tail slenders, 2 tangerines (deceased), 1 large leopard pleco, 1 Misc. African (resembles a striped bass)

Just added 5 apple snails (2 ivory, 1 jade, 1 black, 1 yellow mysteries)

A 4 days later both of the tangerines croaked, he feeds them mostly the veggie Omega1 flake and the Omega1 purple top flake lately since the veggie is gone. After checking water parameters, temp, activity of the fish. I came to the conclusion that maybe a rogue apple snail carried some disease into the tank, it's possible but unlikely. Especially such a disease that only targets a specific species. I have kept snails in my tanks and have known plenty of others who have done the same w/out any problems.

The tangerines were not pecked up at all, one died monday floating and the other was found face down between the large rocks 3 days later.

It's also possible that some of the rocks he had stacked up came down on them because they both lived on that side of the tank, but it seems like quite a concidence that both of them would die a week after the snails were introduced and no other fish were affected. The tangerines were in his tank for almost 2 months before we introduced the snails, and the tank has been established years now.

Any ideas?? I'm at a loss here, I know there are millions of possibilities and combinations that could be to blame. I'm just trying to rule out the snails lol.

Thanks in advance.

tanker
05-29-2008, 3:36 PM
I too doubt the snails caused the problem....but.....

Everything looks fine. Do you/him actually see them eatting??

SchizotypalVamp
05-29-2008, 4:31 PM
wait, if the nitrite is .25 the tank is not done cycling?

Lupin
05-29-2008, 6:31 PM
Nitrites is your problem. What test kit are you using? Why is the nitrates zero? Is the tank heavily planted? I doubt it though with those kind of cichlids you have.

OH240
05-29-2008, 7:08 PM
sorry, I confused Nitrate w/ Nitrite, no plants just a single moss ball.

Lupin
05-29-2008, 7:22 PM
So nitrates is .25?:confused:

tanker
05-30-2008, 1:14 AM
So nitrates is .25?:confused:

I read it as Nitrites 0, and Nitrates at 25PPM. Is this correct??

The tank has been established for years and the Tangerines have been in tank for 2 months. ---Read Post