OK. The wierdest thing I've seen in 15+ yrs. of fish keeping, and my half baked theory of the cause. When I checked my tanks this AM I found that one of my 125g display tanks (built into a wall at almost floor level) had 15+ dead Africans plus a huge Syno. decorus and a pl*co. I had last checked the tanks Wednesday night (I leave them dark one day a week). and all was fine. I immediately tore the tank down, removed the dead bodies, started a water change and tested the water. Test results were Ph 7.7, ammonia 0 PPM, nitrites 0 PPM, GH 14-16. Overall, right where my Malawi tanks are normally. I had just done the bi-weekly water cahnge (approx. 30% as usual) on Sunday and this tank and one almost identical to it have been "up" and very stable for about 5 years. So, this leads me to the "theory"... On Wednesday afternoon, my local utility company was at the house doing an upgrade to the gas service/meter. As a reult of this service, they removed the gas meter from inside the house (coincidently in the access are behind the two built in tanks in the basement). When I stopped by to check on the work, there was an obvious odor of natural gas in the basement from this activity. I'm wondering if the natural gas, which I think is heavier than air could have been the cause. The upper atnk which is about 4.5' above the floor was not affected. Is it possible that there was an issue with disolved natural gas causing the deaths. BTW, the fish show no external damage, but the remaining survivors are gasping and have clenched fins. Thanks in advance for any input!
Strange Die Off..... Disolved gas???
- Thread starter fishmael
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