Dying Albino Socolofi

[myswtsins]

A couple days ago I found a dead albino socolofi in my tank and today another one is on it's way out. I did not think much of the 1 death because I honestly did not think they were going to make it since day 1. They are all VERY submissive & their overall health was not great when I got them.

Recent changes in the tank are the addition of aquarium salt about a week ago because they were scratching occasionally, at about 1/2 the dose though, with a temp raise, I also added a used filter to the tank. The filter was rinsed in hot water and dried out before hand though.

These guys normally hanging out on the bottom of the tank and sift through the sand but this guy is just laying around and his eyes are very cloudy. He does a coughing motion too, enough that it disturbs the sand.

Ph - 8.0
Kh - 8kdh (which is slightly lower my normal 12)
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 5

Recently almost all my frogbit has died off too, the salt or heat was my first thought but now I do not know if there is a connection. Can not see much from the pictures but pictures never hurt! :help:

 

[Coler]

Doesn't look good for him. Tank parameters are great - no other fish showing symptoms ?

With that many fish, you'd be very lucky not to pick up a couple of weak links - could be the tank they were in at the LFS, a weak strain etc. How do the socolofi's feed ?

If you can, remove him and any other sickly looking fish to a quarantine tank. I might even go so far as to remove all the socolofis to a QT for a few weeks - if only because as they are quite submissive in there you could feed them up a bit and re-introduce.

You probably don't need me to say that you shouldn't ever take on a fish to your any 'show' tanks (as opposed to maybe a rescue to a QT) if you are worried about their health at purchase...asking for trouble unfortunately.

The more I think about it the more I would remove the socolofi to a QT asap to protect the rest of your very nice stock.

 

[M. Boona]

I'm sorry to hear that. Your water parameters are good so don't feel bad it's not your fault. If it's just the socolfi's that aren't doing well, I definitely agree with Coler, it might be something with that group of fish. Could be a weak/bad strain or maybe they just weren't healthy enough to be sold and couldn't adjust to the move then the new tank.

Keep us posted, hopefully it's just these two fish and not any more.

 

[blue2fyre]

I agree it could just be the strain. I had a couple of albino socolofis when I first started my tank and they were really feisty. To the the point I had to remove them.

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks guys! It took a lot longer than I was expecting but I got a QT tank up (20gL). The used filter I just bought does not work, that is what took so long, fortunately I recently bought a brand new filter for a friend of mine and they are procrastinators!

Doesn't look good for him. Tank parameters are great - no other fish showing symptoms ?

With that many fish, you'd be very lucky not to pick up a couple of weak links - could be the tank they were in at the LFS, a weak strain etc. How do the socolofi's feed ?

If you can, remove him and any other sickly looking fish to a quarantine tank. I might even go so far as to remove all the socolofis to a QT for a few weeks - if only because as they are quite submissive in there you could feed them up a bit and re-introduce.

You probably don't need me to say that you shouldn't ever take on a fish to your any 'show' tanks (as opposed to maybe a rescue to a QT) if you are worried about their health at purchase...asking for trouble unfortunately.

The more I think about it the more I would remove the socolofi to a QT asap to protect the rest of your very nice stock.

I have not noticed any differences in any of the other fish BUT none of the other socolofi seemed affected when I found the dead one either.

They usually hang around the sand collecting food that falls & only come up for food when there is none on the ground. Recently the majority of them have started putting on some weight and get right into the mix at feeding time. The one that died & this sick on are among the smallest fish in the tank (of their age group).

I mail ordered all the fish at the same time besides the labs & OBs, from a VERY reputable place, so unfortunately I did not get to see them before I bought them. But I do appreciate you being very clear about not introducing possibly unhealthy fish into my tanks.

As I stated before I had my doubts about them from the start though, being so submissive & their fins were rather tattered (good WCs & stress coat with aloe cleared that RIGHT up). Now that all the fish are maturing their submissive behavior might be becoming more of a factor.

I have only moved the very sick one to the QT for now. I want to see if he perks up AT ALL without any added stress. If he doesn't show signs of improvement withing the next 12-24 hrs I will probably move all the socolofi into the QT. Besides he happened to come to the surface so he was just so easy to catch!!

I'm sorry to hear that. Your water parameters are good so don't feel bad it's not your fault. If it's just the socolfi's that aren't doing well, I definitely agree with Coler, it might be something with that group of fish. Could be a weak/bad strain or maybe they just weren't healthy enough to be sold and couldn't adjust to the move then the new tank.

Keep us posted, hopefully it's just these two fish and not any more.

Thanks. I think everyone is right that it is just a weak strain if only the socolofi are showing symptoms. They have been in the tank for 2 months showing only signs of improvement until now though which is a bummer. Losing them now after so much improvement makes it harder.

I agree it could just be the strain. I had a couple of albino socolofis when I first started my tank and they were really feisty. To the the point I had to remove them.

Thanks. Yeah I had heard that the albino socolofis could be quite the feisty characters which is why I was surprised when they arrived and were so calm.

 

[Coler]

Ah - the mail order explains it. I didn't think you would be one to buy sick fish

QT is a good plan - turn off the lights for him, see if he perks up. Try feeding him tomorrow & fingers crossed. So long as your other ones are feeding with the rest leave 'em be I would say.

 

[myswtsins]

Thanks Coler!

New development. His eyes seem to be a little clearer but that could just be the different light (110watt CF 50/50 in main tank, little 15 watt in QT) but now he is falling over a lot & still "coughing". Not looking good. Hopefully tomorrow will bring better news!

 

[myswtsins]

And he is gone. I am going to pay extra close attention to everyone else to see if I am gonna pull anyone else out. Thanks again for the advice everyone!

*EDIT* So I examined him a little and didn't see anything abnormal. He was not bloated or sunken, nothing in his air way, gills looked a nice healthy pink, he wasn't slimy or anything. Just thought I'd left everyone know. Oh btw he definitely was a he & the first one the died I am pretty sure was a female (which stinks cause I think there is only 1 or 2 females left). Trying to look on the bright side this gives me a chance to see the differences for sexing purposes.

 

[Pittbull]

Yeah at this point it would be a wait debate in all and see if anyone else is having any problems i believe it was the weakest fish syndrome for this batch and very well all others are fine because your water perimeters are great..

 

[efors]

i believe it was the weakest fish syndrome for this batch and very well all others are fine because your water perimeters are great..

I also believe it was the "weakest fish syndrome", if you said that the 2 dead were among the smallest fish in the tank. So, IMHO, what happened was a natural thing and not your fault: Survival of the fittest. It is normal to loose a few fishes that don't adapt well to a new environment.
I hope your problem to be just this and good luck with the rest of your "kids" in your sweet tank! :thm: