Dying Fish

[trumpteezer]

I've searched everywhere for a description of what's killing off all of my fish and I cannot find a description of their symptoms anywhere.

I have (had) 6 mollies, with the recent addition of 7 babies. I've had them for about a month. I have a 20 gal aquarium, temp is approx 82 degrees. At first I was adding 3-4 tablespoons of aquarium salt, but when I lost my first female, I was concerned that I had oversalted them.

The first fish died two weeks after I got her. Symptoms are slow and painful, was glad to find the article about euthinizing fish, because it's dreadful to watch. First their tail fin closes up, not all fanned out and pretty. The affected area seems to continue to move up their body until they are paralyzed and unable to move their back 1/2 of their bodies at all. From their tail to their rear fins seems to grow hard and white- you cannot see through them anymore. It does not appear to be affecting the babies born in this tank.

I've been feeding a mix of flakes daily and brine shrimp once per week.

The water reads above 8.0 alkaline? I'm still trying to learn about what all this means to me.

I apologize for being so iggnorant, I'm doing everything I can to fix this problem. I'm getting a 55 gal for X-mas and am terrified that this problem will be carried over to the new tank.

Thanks for your input,

Trumpy :shark:

 

[Ghost_knife]

your water levels seem way off, I am not sure why your fish are clenching their tails but that worries me, I would take some water to your LFS and have them test it. they will or should tell you how to fix it. if your tank is new I would clean everything and make sure it's clean, Boil the gravel for about 2 hours put new media in your filter, wash the filter out really well, and such, if you take care before you start the new tank it should work better for you

 

[Roan Art]

your water levels seem way off

He hasn't posted his water levels? Just the pH.

would take some water to your LFS and have them test it. they will or should tell you how to fix it. if your tank is new I would clean everything and make sure it's clean, Boil the gravel for about 2 hours put new media in your filter, wash the filter out really well, and such, if you take care before you start the new tank it should work better for you

What is he supposed to do with all his fish while his tank is recycling? The stress from that could make matters worse, Northstar.

Roan

 

[Roan Art]

I've searched everywhere for a description of what's killing off all of my fish and I cannot find a description of their symptoms anywhere.

I have (had) 6 mollies, with the recent addition of 7 babies. I've had them for about a month. I have a 20 gal aquarium, temp is approx 82 degrees. At first I was adding 3-4 tablespoons of aquarium salt, but when I lost my first female, I was concerned that I had oversalted them.

Okay, first of all in order for us to help you we need to know what the quality of your tank water is. Can you take a sample to your LFS and have them test it? Get the numbers from them, just an "it's okay" isn't good enough. We need actual numbers on ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and pH.

While you are there, considering picking up your own *liquid* test kit. Not strips, liquid. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes a very good and low-cost one. It's very important that you know what the state of your water is.

How long have you had this tank and did you cycle it yourself? If you don't know what a cycle or cycling is, please let us know immediately and read the sticky in the Newbie Forum here:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26051

What is your water change routine? How often and how much.

We need the answers to these questions in order to help you properly.

Roan