fishy smells in a tank

[iheartbettas]

while doing a water change for one of my tanks, I noticed a slightly fishy smell. It's isolated to my 20gallon long neolamprologus multifasciatus shelldweller species tank. I have other community tanks that do not exhibit this smell and have virtually the same filtration systems.

It's not overpowering, but just very slight. I really have to put my nose into the tank to smell it. Also, the change water did NOT have the smell. Do any of you have this particular smell in any of your tanks? I was thinking it's probably just that the multis smell more than other fish. The tank consists of 7 adult multis and about 10-15 fry ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bgolfer88]

It may just be the multis, I have no experience keeping them so idk. You did a water test on that tank?

 

[iheartbettas]

not yet, but that's a good idea. I'll do that later tonight. thanks.

 

[cicrush13]

The only time I ever get that is if I'm late on a H2O change

 

[hadesnuggz]

What you are smelling is a fish fart.

 

[iheartbettas]

i noticed the smell a few weeks ago when the fry started growing up a little more, so it's probably baby multi farts.

 

[platytudes]

I wouldn't worry about it, just make sure there are no dead fish or invertebrates in the tank. The multis may stir the substrate more, perhaps that causes more smells to be released? I don't think one type of fish "smells" more than another, fish don't smell unless they're dead.

Aquariums (and usually most especially the filtration media) sometimes has an organic smell, sort of like compost or garden soil, and that is normal and a sign of a healthy, mature tank.

 

[Bgolfer88]

Lol. I like the fish fart theory, don't light a flame too close to the tank

Afterthought, do you use prime? I know its not really a fishy smell but just thinking.

 

[iheartbettas]

thanks platytudes, all adult fish are accounted for. Not sure about the fry though. For all I know, there's a dead fry (or was) in a shell somewhere. I'll test the water for ammonia and nitritates tonight.

bgolfer, I do use prime just a few drops per gallon. And yea, no lighters near that tank for sure. haha

Note: after the water change, I couldn't smell the fish smell. But now I'm paranoid, so I'll probably be sticking my nose in there every day now lol.

 

[hadesnuggz]

I wouldn't worry about it. It usually happens when there is a bacteria bloom in the tank. I used to notice alot when my africans were spawning. Just keep up on teh water changes and you'll be fine.