Firemouth Help

[RunandGun85]

One of my firemouths have already died and now another is acting funny like the one that died. It seems like it is having a hard time swimming but it stays afloat and its coloring gets really dark. Any suggestions are very much appreciated.

[RunandGun85]

The tank is a 20 gallon tank and all I had in there was 3 firemouths and now one is gone and i think this one is about ready to go too. Please help!

[Analog Saint]

Tank parameters?

Nitrogen [Ammonia/ Nitrate/Nitrite]
Dissolved Solids [GH/KH]
how long has it been set up?

when was the last water change?
how quickly did this happen?
is there anything notable about the fish besides the coloration and difficulty swimming? anything with the scales? different color of feces? redness of any parts? clamping of fins?

I'm far from an expert, but usually when fish have trouble swimming it's due to problems with their swim bladder. Whether or not that's a primary or secondary symptom is another issue. From what I understand, it can be related to constipation, bacterial infection, or other causes.

[reefrash]

Sounds like an intestinal parasite, or bacterial infection, without seeing the fish or knowing anything about the tank it makes a diagnosis difficult. Generally that dark coloration you describe is not good.

[RunandGun85]

sorry i didn't reply sooner i have been at battle with my tank. That firemouth ended up dying on me. But my levels read out good
Nitrate-20ppm
Nitrite-0ppm
Hardness-95ppm
Alkalinity-a little low around 65ppm
pH-also a little low at 6.8

I am going to get what i need to fix the alkalinity and pH. Also I got Melafix and Pimafix as instructed by the clerk at my LFS.

[liv2padl]

leave your pH and alkalinity alone. you'll only upset the natural balance of your water chemistry and make things unstable.