Mystery Angel Death

M

mrbigmuscles

AC Members
Oct 30, 2005
84
0
0
43
michigan
So, one of my angelfish died today. H2O perameters:
46 gallons
temp = 76
pH= 7.4-7.6
nitrite=0
nitrate=0
water changes=5 gallons every week
tankmates: 4 male gouramis, 4 serpae tetras, 1 common pleco, 2 mystery snails, 3 mollies

Today I found him dead. This morning, when I fed them, he was as healthy and lively as the day he got here 2 or 3 months ago. I bought him as part of a group of 4, the other 3 died the first day from what I guess was some kind of swim bladder bacterial infection. Showed no signs of stress or fighting or disease whatsoever up to this point. I have changed 3 things recently:
-overfed this morning on accident (scooped out as much food as possible)
-have been dropping potato slices in for the pleco/snails (take them out after 24 hours)
-added a "terracotta" pot (unused, is actually made of plastic from Home Depot)

Any ideas on what could have caused it?
 
Last edited:
you give no ammonia level and your nitrate is zero? unless your tank is heavily planted i'd suggest that (a) either it hasn't even begun to cycle yet or (b) your test kits are suspect.

potato slices? your pleco would be alot better off with something 'green' to chew on.

5 gallon water change weekly? up that to at least 30 percent. i do 50 percent weekly.
 
Last edited:
Your gouramis may have attacking them.

Also, 0 nitrate is almost impossible. 5 is something most experienced keepers strive for.

Hmmm....
I suggest a new test kit, like a liquid one from aquarium pharmicuticals.
 
sorry guys, my nitrates were 5-10 ppm. And I do have the liquid one from aquarium pharmaceuticals. I don't always feed potatoes, I know to feed lettuce, zuchinni, cucumber, etc.. but they seem to enjoy the variety. I guess I will just write him off as a victim of gourami violence or something?
 
As an extra piece of advice, I would sell or bring back the common pleco ASAP. It will outgrow your aquarium in no time.
 
I know about the pleco, will be returning him soon. What bothers me about the fact that so far FOUR angels have died in my tank, is that 4 houses down my neighbour has a 55 gal. corner tank with six fully grown angels, 2 8-inch plecos, and a pair of silver dollars. He is hooked up to the same water supply as me and does the same maintenance, and has had no fish deaths for three years. Can't win em all I guess!
 
Sometimes, this hobby is a ***** to handle!

What I would do, is bring back the pleco, but leave the tank as is for a while. See if everything stabilizes out. After that, give the angels another shot, if you want to.

Also, if you have enough lights, you may want to give plants a shot. It may "help" stabilize the tank a bit, but don't expect plants to be the new miracle that replaces water changes, because it doesn't!

Hope this helps and Good Luck :thm:
 
fish death is rarely a mystery and fish don't die for no reason ... obviously the guy down the street is doing everything right and you're doing something wrong. the difficult part is figuring out what's wrong with your tank. it's not magic .. it's just biology and when done right, the tank practically runs itself. the only tricks involve keeping the water quality good and the environment that which your fish species thrive in. compatibility is also an issue .. certain fish species just don't do well with others.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom