Convicts Dying

[marcusopus]

I just had two convicts die on me. Right before they died they went crazy swimming all over the tank like they couldn't breathe. They both ended up on the floor of the tank with their mouth wide open and gills stretched out. Anybody have any idea why?

[Squint]

Ammonia or nitrite toxicity.

Test your water. If you don't detect either, get a better test kit.

[marcusopus]

Right after I posted I checked for Ammonia and Nitrate and both looked good (no color). I have a set of Hagen tests although I don't know if these are good since I've had both kits for about 2 years.

[optix]

Definatly get new kits, that would almost guaranteed be ammonia or nitrite poisoning.

[Squint]

Originally posted by marcusopus
Right after I posted I checked for Ammonia and Nitrate and both looked good (no color). I have a set of Hagen tests although I don't know if these are good since I've had both kits for about 2 years.

I don't know if you meant to type nitrite but nitrate is far less toxic than nitrite.

My Hagen nitrate test kit (actually, I have two of them) went bad after much less than 2 years' time. It was barely colored while my other test kits turned quite dark.

Seachem's ammonia test is good. Mine is over 2 years old but came with a reference sample so I can see if it's working. It can also distinguish between free (ammonia-bad) and total (counts harmless ammonium, too) ammonia. Also, it uses sensor discs which are reusable so you get a lot of tests per kit.

For nitrite and nitrate, I have LaMotte kits.