Unexplained Die-Off

**rastoma** · 08-11-2012, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by kiddevo

It seems like the answer to every post on here is "switch to Prime".

Yeah I see that too. But I don't think Prime is the answer to your problem. But it is the best chlorine remover on the market IMO, as it also remove ammonia.

It's more expensive is why I think more people don't use it. But they don't realize how small of an amount is needed. One drop of Prime treats 2 gallons. A small cap full treats 50 gallons. So per treatment it's no more expensive than anything else.

**kiddevo** · 08-14-2012, 5:55 PM

I also did a vigorous gravel cleaning in my other tank (45g w/3 goldies). Now one of thme has popeye. What gives? What could I have released from the gravel? All of my parameters have always been, and still are good. Test kit is ok ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates ~15-20. Just did a 25% water change, going to do another late tonight. Test kit is not expired, and I am following all directions. What gives? dosed 2x with prime. Waiting...

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**petluvr** · 08-14-2012, 6:12 PM

I don't think anerobic pockets cause a problem unless they are picked up and diffused into the water, otherwise they simply gas off.

**kiddevo** · 09-13-2012, 8:20 AM

So treated the pop-eyed fish with two rounds of meds (maracyn). Seemed to solve the popeye to a degree, still some swelling but much better, fish eating all was well. Did a 25% WC to start getting rid of the meds, treated the whole tank with prime, and within an hour the fish with popeye was all lethargic. All params still good (zero Ammonia). All other fish still good. Two days later he is dead. What could be causing this? The only things I have changed are switching to Prime, and using a python vs bucket. I am treating the entire tank volume with prime. What am I missing? The only thing I noticed about him was his tail may have been sl. bent, but I never really looked at him tht close before, so that could be nothing. I am lost.... this is frustrating, not to mention I spent a boatload on those meds!

**kiddevo** · 09-13-2012, 8:30 AM

Is this a crooked tail? Is this indicative of any issues? He did die curled, but most fish do.... Grasping at straws here....

**BettaFishMommy** · 09-13-2012, 9:37 AM

pop eye is an indicator that something else is going on in the fish's system. pop eye itself is not a disease.

that goldie looks sickly to begin with, note the 'undercut' belly and the large eye - the eye being an indication that the fish is stunted and it may have not had a good chance at survival to begin with. how long did you have this particular fish?

you mentioned that your goldie tank filter was unplugged and parameters were off. this fish could have had residual effects from that and just was not strong enough to recover.

**kiddevo** · 09-13-2012, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by BettaFishMommy

pop eye is an indicator that something else is going on in the fish's system. pop eye itself is not a disease.

that goldie looks sickly to begin with, note the 'undercut' belly and the large eye - the eye being an indication that the fish is stunted and it may have not had a good chance at survival to begin with. how long did you have this particular fish?

you mentioned that your goldie tank filter was unplugged and parameters were off. this fish could have had residual effects from that and just was not strong enough to recover.

He does look pretty bad, but never fully recovered from whatever caused the popeye.
I have had that guy for about 2 years. He spent the first 6 months in a 20 gal and then was upgraded to a 45 gal. Although he hasnt gotten much bigger lately, so perhaps you are right on the stunting. I think it has more to do with the more vigorous cleaning I have only been recently doing with the new python. Previously I was just changing water, now I am making sure to clean the gravel. Yet my parameters are all fine as shown by the pic at the beginning of this thread hence my confusion...