Hello all. Any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated. Here's the deal:
I returned home this afternoon, having been gone less than 24 hours, to an 80% loss of fish in my 30 gallon freshwater tank. I lost a shark, a variety of tetras, danios, guppies and barbs. I was able to transfer survivors to an established 15 gallon, but am watching the barbs, hatchets, mollies, catfish and algea eater struggling in their new environment. Some are lethargic, but those seeming the farthest gone are swimming erratically as if they are having seizures, and breathing heavily; I anticipate an almost total loss of life.
The death tank had been doing well for over a year. It was due for a new filter, and I'd noticed the water clouding a bit, but I have been on top of water changes, the most recent as of last week. Nothing seemed very out of the ordinary.
The smaller tank isnt going to sustain the number of fish I still have. I will be moving next week and had hoped to consolidate everyone to the 30 gallon, but obviously cant do so given its current status. I am unable to test the water here but will take a sample to a local pet store later this evening for more answers.
In the meantime...curious if the symptoms I've described sound familiar to anyone. Also curious what the best and safest way to get the 30 gallon moved and cycling healthily again would be, knowing that it could be contaminated and that a move in and of itself is stressful for fish.
Thank you!
I returned home this afternoon, having been gone less than 24 hours, to an 80% loss of fish in my 30 gallon freshwater tank. I lost a shark, a variety of tetras, danios, guppies and barbs. I was able to transfer survivors to an established 15 gallon, but am watching the barbs, hatchets, mollies, catfish and algea eater struggling in their new environment. Some are lethargic, but those seeming the farthest gone are swimming erratically as if they are having seizures, and breathing heavily; I anticipate an almost total loss of life.
The death tank had been doing well for over a year. It was due for a new filter, and I'd noticed the water clouding a bit, but I have been on top of water changes, the most recent as of last week. Nothing seemed very out of the ordinary.
The smaller tank isnt going to sustain the number of fish I still have. I will be moving next week and had hoped to consolidate everyone to the 30 gallon, but obviously cant do so given its current status. I am unable to test the water here but will take a sample to a local pet store later this evening for more answers.
In the meantime...curious if the symptoms I've described sound familiar to anyone. Also curious what the best and safest way to get the 30 gallon moved and cycling healthily again would be, knowing that it could be contaminated and that a move in and of itself is stressful for fish.
Thank you!