Oscar Died, Nitrate poisoning?

[Gordofish]

My 8 inch oscar passed on today, He was showing signs of fin rot so I treated with melafix and it cleared up but there was another cigeratte looking burn under his gills that I didnt see until yesterday. My nitrate was high, 80 ppm measured by an API test kit. I hadnt been able to keep up with the water changes in his 55g tank. Ammonia was 0.

He died during a massive water change (75-80%) I had done 2 50% ones since I noticed his fins last week and then a 75% WC yesterday. I didnt forget to add the prime so Im wondering if maybe I killed him with too much fresh water? I didnt think I had Old Tank Syndrome yet because the nitrates are usually less than 40 closer to 20. He hadnt been eating for a week, week and half and then he got the little pin holes in his fins, that the melafix cleared up.

The last 2 days he had been unable to swim well, more scooting along the bare bottom tank, and when he did get off the bottom he would spin and fall like a rock. I was considering euthanizing him but I wanted to give him another few days to try and get better. Does this sound like nitrate poisoning to you guys or was there maybe something else at work here?

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

What does your tap water test like?

 

[pinkertd]

Sorry for your loss! What size tank was he in, and what else was in the tank with him. You say you've had difficulty getting water changes done lately, when was the last time you did a water change prior to noticing his fin rot. If the water was old, there may have been a big ph swing from the old water to the 75% new. These answers will help us to better assess the situation.

 

[SchizotypalVamp]

He may have died also because of the shock of going from 80 ppm nitrate to none. I'm also sorry for your loss.

 

[Gordofish]

Oh I didnt even think about the ph, I only tested my ph once when I first set up the tank and it was around 7.4 I think, Im thinking I did too many waterchanges. I felt so guilty for letting it get up to 80. It was probably 2 and 1/2 weeks since the last WC, but I was only doing 15g change every week so it might have been creeping. Its a 55g tank so thats probably the biggest problem, he wasnt cramped but he sure was a messy eater. If I get another one it will be in a bigger tank so I can miss a week or two of WC and not have a disaster.

 

[tonytheboss1]

Sorry for your loss. A weakened immune system lends itself to all sorts of problems. Drastic shifts in nitrate or ph could have been more than he/she could sustain. Take it slow & be sure you can invest whatever's necessary (time, money, space ect.) I'm sure when the time is right, you'll do just fine. Good luck, 'T'

 

[Rbishop]

Thats a tough loss!

I think it may be a combination of problems stemming from the fin rot and stress, coupled with not the best water conditions. Though I do not think 80 on nitrates is enough to do it alone, provided other water conditions and the fishes health is excellent.

I would not recommend getting another one unless you can do one or two water changes weekly and more in the 30-50% range.

 

[Brian Bivens]

I have a 44 gallon tank full of african cichlids, 16 fish all about 2-5" and I have waited over 2 weeks to do a water change before.. I did a test and my trates were still between 20-40. I think it also depends on a few other factors. Just giving out a water change schedule doesn't solve the issue, there are a lot of variables, some you can affect (like feeding habits, water changes etc.), others you cannot (local water chemistry). it is important to test the tank, and get into a rhythm that works for you (and the fish).

I would suggest you keep feeding your tank pure ammonia to keep it going, and just switch your 15% weekly changes to 25% (ten more minutes tops, if using a python). then decide what sounds best to you. Making a mistake now and then is always going to happen, but if it is something you want to keep doing, then you need to get back in and do it.

 

[fishorama]

Sounds like maybe TDS (total dissolved solids) shock.When the nitrates are really high it's usually better to change small amounts more often, say 10% or so once or even twice a day. I know it can be hard not to panic & change a ton. It takes a while for the TDS build up & lowering them slowly is safest. Sorry for your loss.

 

[mostlycichlids]

Oscars also release a ton of hormones in to the water. With high nitrates and high concentrations of DOC's (likely) along with other elements probably did him in. Oscars require very clean and fresh water to really thrive. Anytime they are kept in sub excellent water they will likely have problems with disease and possible death.