R.I. P. FLIPPER!(updated water test)

[LoachOrgy]

I noticed the upside down catfish outside of the usual spot. Its been close to a month since I have seen him outside his hiding spot. Now recently I have seen Flipper sitting at the top of the water very close to the top of the water. Sometimes his mouth is completely out of the water. I don't notice any bad scrapes or anything that shows signs of a fight. I actually touched him on the tail and he didn't even run away. I can place my face right up to him and he won't move. Usually he bolts if I get too close.


does anyone know what is going on in this video?

I am going to do a water change now and a few water tests. I will post results soon.

I took a closer look with a flashlight and its seems he has a bit of a pasty white coating to his skin. What could this mean? I have a few antifungal treatments and some stresscoat as well. it doesn't appear that it is from a struggle or fight. Any advice would be great. I hop flipper survives.

[LoachOrgy]

Anyone? please.....i scooped up flipper my loach and the upside down catfish and put them in a small separator bin. flipper gills are moving rapidly and hes laying on his side. it appears that he isn't moving at all. this is really bad!!!!!!

50% water change done. the smaller upside down catfish looked like he was dead for a few moments i picked him up with my hand. now he seems ok back to his hiding spot. now the upside down catfish is moving.


the ammonia level is really high. 1.2. this is after the water change. the water looks clear but i cleaned out the inside of all tank ornament as well. so hopeuffully things will clear up.

[Emma Turner]

Hi LO,

Sorry to hear about Flipper & co. It certainly seems as though he/she is struggling for O2 right now.

As well as the water tests, can you check what the water temperature is at? Also you need to try and increase aeration (lower the water level by an inch or so, so that the return water from the filter splashes down onto the surface).

It's really late here, so I'm not going to be around to continue this with you now. Hopefully others from across the pond will be able to advise once you come back with the test results/tank temperature etc.

Best of luck,

Emma

[grizzlyone]

I'd add SeaChem Prime to your tank immediately as well. It will turn the ammonia, chlorin, nitrate and nitrites to non-toxic forms that the biofilter will still be able to process.


Whats the PH of your water? What about phosphates? Is it a planted tank?



Kevin

[LoachOrgy]

when i stuck my hand in the separator tank to move it away from teh current. both fish came right up to my hand looking like they were begging for my help. all i can do now is wait. i have changed the water and i do not have any other test kits besides ammonia and ph. i still see both moving but seem very weak.

[butterfly01]

What are your water parameters now?(ammonia, Nitrites and Nitrates) ? That ammonia reading was really high. I would do 50% water changes everyday until it comes down to 0. Any of these out of range can cause your fish to be distressed and stressed.
What size is your tank and how long has it been set up? Sorry for all the questions but it's the only way I know to help
Carol

[Emma Turner]

Just saw your reply. Do you have some sort of ammonia neutraliser you could use (Ammo-lock etc)? Can you get some from a store (not sure what the time is where you are) or ask a fishkeeping friend to borrow some?

That level is really high - have you lost any fish recently, over cleaned the filter etc?

Depending on the pH of the water, this could also be making things worse (ammonia is more problematic at a higher pH).

Definitely increase O2 as much as you can.

Good luck,

Emma

[connor]

I would also advise you to do another water change, right now. Change as much water as possible (e.g. 2x 80%), if your tap water chemistry permits this.

If possible use a shower head so the water gets aerated really well. If your problem has anything to do with low oxygen or bad water chemistry in the tank, this should immediately show an effect.

-Connor

[LoachOrgy]

ok well, the filter was cleaned with tank water. barely rinsed. i kept the same media. rinsed out the actual ac. i have many many bubbles everywhere now. the water circulation is really good. it is too late bc all fish stores are closed. its 9:15 here now. flipper is still breathing heavy but the upside down cat seems to be doing better. i don't have anything other than melafix and stress coat now.

i have not lost any fish. the pleco has been pooping tremendously recently. i will have to cut back his food bigtime. there is debris everywhere. i sucked some of it up but i will keep trying to get more. should i do another water change?

[LoachOrgy]

also, the water flow in the tank is really good. i don't think thats the problem. im doing a 25% more water change as we speak. thanks for the help guys i really appreciate it....i sent my gf to look at walmart for ammonia neutralizer. hopefully they have it..

[LoachOrgy]

ok as i look closer the loach has a small white pasty looking substance coming from the anal hole. i lightly brushed it off with my finger. and now it appears more is there. he does look a bit plump as well. i also see a few red blood spots underneath the gills. does this sound like anything?

[LoachOrgy]

I see a white pasty substance coming from flippers gills also. its came from his butt and gills. I can see it, it looks stringy but it is like a gell substance. it does't appear to be any type of worm or fluke it appears as a jelly like (sperm like) substance. kinda milky. sorry about the description but its the only way i can describe it.


my gf just bought some ammonia rid. we will add it soon. flipper is looking a bit better hes sitting on his stomache rather than side. there is a milky looking slime all over him. kinda looks like peeling skin as well.

[mikev]

Milky substance: could it be slime coat breaking apart due to ammonia burns?

[mikev]

PS. I'd not do such huge water changes as recommended above once ammonia is brought down into the 0.25-0.50 range.

The problem is that if you continue with 50% daily changes, it may take very long time for the biocycle to restore.

(In one episode, I did 40-50% every two days and it took me nearly 3 weeks to restore the biocycle...and it got restored only after I cut down on water changes to 25% every two days.)

IME, once ammonia is relatively low, control it with Prime or a similar NH3->NH4 converter, and let the bacteria build up without being disturbed all the time.

[LoachOrgy]

ammonia clear added to tank now. the water change was roughly about 70% total. one 50% then about an hour later 20%.