Sick Silver Shark - Red Fins

Thanks very much for all your advice
i will get onto that ASAP (thus leaving work early)

i feel really bad for the poor thing, to know this is now my fault.

So should i look at getting a better filter?
I have an Aqua One Filter 103F and i know they are not the best....
 
No, as long as your filter is working and has enough capacity for your tank, don't worry too much at present. If you do get another one, run both together because you don't want to lose whatever bacteria have started to grow in your existing filter. Remember only ever to rinse the filter sponge and any other media in tank water that you are removing...chlorine will kill good bacteria for sure, so your job now is to protect the bacteria in your filter. If you want to change filters, you should only gradually phase out your existing one, maybe over 6 to 8 weeks, by which time more bacteria will have developed in your new filter. Also, if it will fit, you could put your old filter sponge into the new filter, alongside the new sponge...that would work, too. Initially, all the new sponge will do is mechanical cleaning, which is not what you need - you need biological filtration, which only comes with time. Don't beat yourself up...you didn't mean to harm the fish and now you're doing what you can to save it...that's the best anyone can ask!
 
Great points noted about the changing of filters and even about the filter media. I will defiantly be careful.

I will do a water change and test it and keep doing water changes more often. I will keep an on the levels and if it looks like the filter is not coping, i might seek some more advice about a better one.

Thanks again for all the help. I knew it was the right place to come.
Cheers
 
ok guys, water change in place
and i took a visit to the LFS for a new test kit

I have retested and the results are
Ammonia - slight reading....just above 0 maybe 0.15, would this cause it?
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 15

I have a picture of the poor little guy, though it is pretty sad, so warning
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r47/mofoworking/003.jpg


Thanks again for the help today, i am crossing my fingers and I will do my best to keep a better eye on it.

Cheers
 
and the last bit about being a big tank for the tigers, i really do not want to overstock and was really worried about buying the silver sharks.....maybe that is my mistake in the end.

I meant that the tank you will have to get for the balas will be a major major tank.

I would say that yes an ammonia spike can cause the symptoms in the pic. All you can do is test the water regularly, and change it whenever ammonia or nitrite is showing on the test kit.,
 
heheh yeah, thats for sure :)

ok will do, and thanks again
very nice of you to give your time to help me out

cheers
 
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