Fish Swimming Aimlessly After water change

R

RianS

AC Members
May 5, 2009
17
0
0
Size of tank : 55g
Water Parameters: Unsure
Setup: freshwater with 1-2" bed of 3M ColorQuartz
Duration of setup: >1 year
Fish: (11) Synodontis Decora 1.5-4" (5 months)
(8) Synodntis Koensis 1-2.5" (3-4 months)
(1) Flagtail Prochilodus 5.5-6" (2 months)
None of the fish were placed under quarantine however all fish were treated for callamanus with levamisole HCL about 3 months ago
Current Temp: 80F
Live plants: 1 Anubias
Filtration: AC110 & Penguin 350 cleaning one ever 2 weeks
Aquarium receives little to no sunlight
Last water change: 2 hours ago. Substrate was not vacuumed. 50% weekly
Foods provided: Hikari Algae wafers, Hikari Carnivore, Fresh Zuchinni, NLS Thera A
Unusual Signs: Shortly after performing the routine water change fish were seen swimming aimlessly and some were gasping. Strangely the Synodontis Koensis did not suffer as badly. The water change was performed at 5:30pm HST observed the fish acting strange around 6 o'clock and it is now 7:30pm HST Also water change is done with water staight from the tap.
Treatment: Added Tetra Aquasafe and API Stresscoat
 
Update:
Just tested with the tetra test for ammonia and nitrites. both came back below the lowest possible concentration.
The Synodontis Koensis are doing better. Their hiding in the caves however they are usually the most active fish in the tank always swimming outside the pots.
 
RianS said:
Update:
Just tested with the tetra test for ammonia and nitrites. both came back below the lowest possible concentration.
The Synodontis Koensis are doing better. Their hiding in the caves however they are usually the most active fish in the tank always swimming outside the pots.
Click to expand...

Can you clarify the bolded statement, please? In a well established tank that is a year old, I would expect them to be at zero, not "back below" some level...?
 
With an assumption that you meant NH3/NO2 cloese to/at zero, pH before and after wc?
 
Last edited:
Rbishop said:
Can you clarify the bolded statement, please? In a well established tank that is a year old, I would expect them to be at zero, not "back below" some level...?
Click to expand...

I'm new to testing and i noticed most people state their levels as ppm but the tetra test kit has it in ~/L. And you compare your solution to a chart that's like light yellow, yellow, light green, green and so forth (lighter color = less) . For the two tests both of them came up with the lightest colors. I wish i could help you guys more but the tank is actually my brothers and i'm only home for the weekends.
 
My brother updated me with a text this morning.
"Everything is alive, flagtail is fine, decorus and koensis okay. However 2 decorus are breathing hard"
about an hour later he sends
"1 Decorus died and that the fish seem blind they didn't notice the light was on and that he's directly infront of the tank"
"Also the eyes seems to have a grayish gold glaze"
 
RianS said:
My brother updated me with a text this morning.
"Everything is alive, flagtail is fine, decorus and koensis okay. However 2 decorus are breathing hard"
about an hour later he sends
"1 Decorus died and that the fish seem blind they didn't notice the light was on and that he's directly infront of the tank"
"Also the eyes seems to have a grayish gold glaze"
Click to expand...

Ive seen Hazy eyes/breathing heavy followed by death on SOME Syno cats due to prolonged exposure to very low pH!! Same/similar symptoms observed when infested with certain external parasites as well. Check both pH and for external parasites. Hope all goes well!!!
 
low ph could be the cause because it's tap water and i talked my brother into using buffers and adding rocks that'll make the water more suitable for africans.
However i don't see how the low ph would also affect the flagtail. My guess would be the external parasites. Is there anything I can tell him to look for?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom