Low pH urgent question...

[Maradona10]

Sorry never saw your other question. Says on the box it is fine for cold water and tropical fish in fresh water systems.

 

[Roan Art]

Whacked . . . sedative and narcotic? I need chem help here.

Hrm, that stuff is used as an anesthetic on fish and in larger doses could probably be used for euthanasia. Been tested with clove oil. Huh.

So, your fish were sedated and then you removed it and they are no longer sedated and are freaking out (my interpretation).

How much did you use?

Roan

 

[Maradona10]

Ok, will do another water change. I guess i will still add the SafeGUARD?

Water look like its getting cloudier - maybe my imagination.

Only other thing thats changed is i used a new algae scraper to clean the curved glass yesterday and there look like there is very small white 'fluffy' particles attached to the glass.

 

[Roan Art]

Ok, will do another water change. I guess i will still add the SafeGUARD?

If Safeguard is a dechlorinator et al, yes.

Water look like its getting cloudier - maybe my imagination.[/quyote]No, please start testing your water. We don't really know what's in that stuff and it's possible that your biofilter might have been compromised. Cloudy usually points to bacterial bloom.

Only other thing thats changed is i used a new algae scraper to clean the curved glass yesterday and there look like there is very small white 'fluffy' particles attached to the glass.

Probably planeria, dunno.

I'll help you best I can until someone else can chime in. Perferably someone who knows if this stuff is a problem or not. I'm kinda out of my element with this. I suspect the meds, myself, but don't know enough to rule them out or in.

FYI even though it says it's safe for the fish, doesn't necessarily make that true. There are a lot of meds over here that have ingredients "hidden" or don't list that those meds can hurt certain types of fish.

Roan

 

[Maradona10]

Just in process of doing a water change. The safeguard is a dechlorinator, also detoxifies heavy metals and removes excess ammonia.

Fingers crossed.

 

[Maradona10]

OK, water change was completed and for 40 minutes the fish seemed fine again and around half of them were no longer gasping (and none of them were at the surface). Now however 6 (and rising) are at the top and im guessing in 15 minutes it will be full cycle and all will be back to the gasping at the surface. More water changes then.

Does that point the finger at the filter system?

The betta is still alive but very poorly and his gills are taking long, slow, large 'gasps'

Cheers

 

[OrionGirl]

JMO, but this is NOT an oxygen issue. This sounds like a parasite on the gills--this impedes O2 uptake, and is pretty well invisible. If you have recently introduced any fish without quarantining, I'd start treating for ich (there is a great article in the articles forum, by daveedka, that covers the process).

 

[Roan Art]

JMO, but this is NOT an oxygen issue. This sounds like a parasite on the gills--this impedes O2 uptake, and is pretty well invisible. If you have recently introduced any fish without quarantining, I'd start treating for ich (there is a great article in the articles forum, by daveedka, that covers the process).

I agree with OG that this is not an oxygen issue. Especially with the betta having trouble, as was pointed out, but I'm not sure it's a parasite either.

Can you give a list of all your fish, which ones are gasping, how big the tank is etc.,. what are your ammonia, nitrite and nitrate readings?

In the meantime, read Dave's article: http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39759

and I would start adding salt slowly. Don't up the temperature yet. The salt should help them regardless of whether it's a parasite or not.

Thanks
Roan

 

[Maradona10]

Ok,

190 litre tank (UK) - 50 gallons i think?

6 Harlequins
4 Silver Tip Tetras
2 Neon Tetras
2 Dwarf Gourami
1 Honey Gourami
3 Blak Mollies
3 Guppies
3 Corydoras
2 Clown Loach
2 Blue Botia
1 Male Betta
1 Pakistani Loach
5 Glass Catfish

pH 6.6
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 10ppm
Temp 26oC

At some point all are 'gasping', with the Gouramis, loaches not hitting the surface as much. Neons, guppies, mollies, silver tips, struggling the most, along with the betta who i dont give much longer.

My tank has been going 9 months, and readings have always been 'good'. Most noticible difference at mo is the lower pH from the tap water, and the water being slightly cloudy - usually very clear.

I havent added many new fish, other than some female live bearers to take the heat off a single female, and a blue botia to partner the existing (was told he would get on with the clowns so bought only one - he didnt so bought another) - these new additions were over 3 weeks ago.

Unfortunately i will have to sleep before work tomorrow (its 1am here) - so ill try a little salt, another water change - and anything else you could recommend and try and stay up as long as i can!

I can see no other signs of ailment (white spot, markings, growths of any sort) - they all 'look' fine apart from the betta.

Could i ask that if it was 'itch' for example, why would they seem fine for 45 minutes after each water change then deteriate to the surface again. As i said earlier, the gasping actually completely stops for a while after the change in over half the fish - then starts again gradually. Will the parasites be 'quietened' for a bit with the fresh water added?

Many thanks for all your help - it is much appreciated.

Paul

 

[Roan Art]

Could i ask that if it was 'itch' for example, why would they seem fine for 45 minutes after each water change then deteriate to the surface again. As i said earlier, the gasping actually completely stops for a while after the change in over half the fish - then starts again gradually. Will the parasites be 'quietened' for a bit with the fresh water added?

That's what makes me think it's not a parasite, but I'm not 100% sure. It just doesn't ring true.

Hrm, hope someone else might have an idea of what you're dealing with here.

Roan