Rubbernose death

R

rush07

AC Members
Mar 12, 2006
36
0
6
:help: I have read here daily for some time but rarely post. I am stumped on this one though. I came home yesterday to find my Rubbernose dead. Water parameters appear to be good (as tested with AP drops):

pH-6.8
temp- 25C
Am. - 0
NitrItes - 0
NitrAtes - 10-15

Tank is 220 gallons and moderately planted. I run 3 Fluval 405's. WC's weekly. It has been has been running for about 2 years and, except for a jumper, I have not had any fatalities in that time. I have had the Rubbernose for about 10 months. Sharing the tank are 2 Albino BN's and a Clown Plec. Also several assorted Tetras and a bunch of Oto's. The only change lately has been that I started dosing with Flourish Excel (no CO2). Could this product possibly have affected him? His or eyes were not sunk in at all. Actually, he looked quite healthy when I took him out of the tank. No marks or anything. All other tank mates appear healthy. I know that they sometimes die, but is there something else I should be testing for in the water? Should I cease using the Flourish Excel? Any guidance would be appreciated.
 
Can't give you anything specific, but I would back off on the Excel....
 
All other things considered normal so I would back off the excel too. One other thing, do you know the sexes of your bristlenose plecos? There is the possibility if you've got a male and female and they are getting ready to spawn, that the male bristlenose killed your rubberlip. Some male plecos will get that territorial when spawning is near.
 
Thanks for the replies. I am going to stop dosing the Excel until I can get info that it will not cause harm. I do have a male and female BN that have spawned several times. I thought of that as well but could not find a mark on him. Still could be the cause but if so, he left no marks. Thanks again for the help.
 
The addition of Excel can be the cause of a fish death, no doubt about it. But it usually involves overdosing Excel or pouring it into the tank right where the fish happen to be or they swim right through the Excel stream. More than likely you would see some sort of chemical burn looking damage to the skin of fish that encountered Excel before it was totally diluted and dispersed thru the tank. I'd put my money on male bristlenose vs. male bristlenose. Doubtful you'd see marks, they have no way to damage mark their opponent. I do know that male bristlenose can slap their tails hard enough to stun and kill. I had one doing it.
 
Thanks Pinkertd. Did not realize that was how the BN attached. It would help explain it. I do not think that I overdosed and I add the Excel into the overflow chamber where I have one of the filter intakes (don't use a sump with this tank. Wish I had but that is for another thread). Thanks again for the info.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom