I have lost numerous fish in the last month, and my fish continue to become sick. So far;
2- exasperatus 1- cobalt blue, 1- 3” ob trewavasae have died.
Now infected are;
1- afra jalo reef 1- obliquiden
Second week in August I purchased 2 exasperatus and 2 cobalt blue. The 2 exasperatus subsequently developed pepper flecks on them. I tried Melafix and Pimafix for several days and still no change. After a few days and a water change, I treated the tank with Ich meds, but no success. Then about 2 weeks later 1 of three obliquiden developed the flecks. I’ve had him a year and he seemed bullet-proof.
Then I day I found my big trewavasae (no black flecks)dead on the bottom. By and by 1 exasperatus (w./black flecks) had stopped eating, hid on the bottom and "wasted" away. Then the other exasperatus (w/black flecks) stopped eating went to the "death" corner and after about 7 days it died. Repeated by a cobalt blue and at present I have an obliquiden and afra jalo reef hanging out on the bottom.
At the very onset I started with a 75% water change, a thorough substrate vacuum, scrubbed all the rocks, and have continued to change the water every 5 or 6 days. I cleaned and rinsed the Rena canister with decholorinated water to maintain the healthy bacteria. I increase the salt and Epson salt, used Metro for 3 days but no change. They don't have bloat; looking at them you can’t see anything physical. Their behavior isn’t unusual other than being very inactive and hanging out on the bottom (no flashing, darting, swimming odd, no cloudy eyes or flukes). My remaining ones don’t have flecks and some of those who died didn’t have flecks. So the fish with flecks are all dead.
All of the others (14) are vigorous and active, until they become stricken.
The ph is approx. 8.7; 0 ammonia; 0 nitrites and I think like 10 nitrates. The hardness is around 300. Temp is 80 º.
Should I remove the fish, break the tank down and set it back up after cleaning everything completely. I could keep them in a quarantine bucket. They are all at least 2 ½ - 3 inches and I’ve had most of them for a year. I have a Tanganyika tank I could keep them in but I fear of infecting those as they are completely healthy. I use separate tank utensils for each tank. I have no idea what the problem is; if it is viral or bacterial or whatever. I’m so upset about my little monkeys and want to remedy this before I lose more.
Any input is much appreciated.
2- exasperatus 1- cobalt blue, 1- 3” ob trewavasae have died.
Now infected are;
1- afra jalo reef 1- obliquiden
Second week in August I purchased 2 exasperatus and 2 cobalt blue. The 2 exasperatus subsequently developed pepper flecks on them. I tried Melafix and Pimafix for several days and still no change. After a few days and a water change, I treated the tank with Ich meds, but no success. Then about 2 weeks later 1 of three obliquiden developed the flecks. I’ve had him a year and he seemed bullet-proof.
Then I day I found my big trewavasae (no black flecks)dead on the bottom. By and by 1 exasperatus (w./black flecks) had stopped eating, hid on the bottom and "wasted" away. Then the other exasperatus (w/black flecks) stopped eating went to the "death" corner and after about 7 days it died. Repeated by a cobalt blue and at present I have an obliquiden and afra jalo reef hanging out on the bottom.
At the very onset I started with a 75% water change, a thorough substrate vacuum, scrubbed all the rocks, and have continued to change the water every 5 or 6 days. I cleaned and rinsed the Rena canister with decholorinated water to maintain the healthy bacteria. I increase the salt and Epson salt, used Metro for 3 days but no change. They don't have bloat; looking at them you can’t see anything physical. Their behavior isn’t unusual other than being very inactive and hanging out on the bottom (no flashing, darting, swimming odd, no cloudy eyes or flukes). My remaining ones don’t have flecks and some of those who died didn’t have flecks. So the fish with flecks are all dead.
All of the others (14) are vigorous and active, until they become stricken.
The ph is approx. 8.7; 0 ammonia; 0 nitrites and I think like 10 nitrates. The hardness is around 300. Temp is 80 º.
Should I remove the fish, break the tank down and set it back up after cleaning everything completely. I could keep them in a quarantine bucket. They are all at least 2 ½ - 3 inches and I’ve had most of them for a year. I have a Tanganyika tank I could keep them in but I fear of infecting those as they are completely healthy. I use separate tank utensils for each tank. I have no idea what the problem is; if it is viral or bacterial or whatever. I’m so upset about my little monkeys and want to remedy this before I lose more.
Any input is much appreciated.
