Need help with my fishtank!?

Question

I have a 50 gallon tank and had two of my fish die within 2 days of each other. They both had simailer symptons. Wriggling around,laying at the bottom of the tank and then dying. One was a bala shark and the other was a clown loch. I have no idea how they died and would like to find out.

Answer 1

You need to buy a kit to test your water with. Being you don't have any tank parameters listed on this question, I'm assuming that you don't have one nor have you taken it to a Fish Store to be tested. It's possible the ammonia or nitrates are high. When this happens your fish get stressed out. When your fish get stressed out they become susceptible to diseases. You need to buy a 10 gallon tank for a hospital tank, take all of your fish out of the tank until you figure out the problem. Your pH should be around 7.5. In an established aquarium the ammonia level should never go over 0ppm because 0.25ppm is lethal. In an established aquarium the nitrites (second stage of the cycle breaking down ammonia) should also be 0ppm. If you nitrites get higher than 0ppm it's a sign of overfeeding, too many fish or inadequate biological filtering. A nitrate level of 40ppm or less is recommended for freshwater aquariums. Anything more than that is also lethal. You should be testing your aquarium at least once a week. NEVER use antibiotics unless your fish are showing symptoms of bacterial infections. NEVER use antifungal medications unless your fish are showing signs on fungus.

Answer 2

If you do not have a test kit for your own home use, scoop 1/2 cup of the tank water into a rubbermaid container and take it to your local fish store. They will be happy to test it for you for a small charge (5 bucks at the most) or even free of charge. Most likely the cause of death will be revealed in the results from the test. Sorry about what happened.

Answer 3

Could have been shock from poor water quality, temperature change or chlorine. The fish should not be just dropped into the tank when you bring them home. Float the bags in the water before releasing them yo acclimate them to the temperature. Make sure the water is warm;74-80 degrees.

Answer 4

poisonning of some kind....is your tank cycled?

if not cycled (nitrogen cycle hasn't come into affect; thus lack of nitrogen converting bacteria). If not cycled, wait a month before adding any new fish, let the bacteria grow. You can use "Cycle" a product that promotes good bacteria growth and it also reduces fish stress.

So, the culprit ammonia or nitrite.

However, the fish movements could indicate fish bladder disease (loss of equilibrium of the fish)...seems unable to swim properly, could float (often seen in goldfish) or stay near the bottom (one of my black phantoms had this). Head shakes, fish rotates 180 degrees in all directions. since two died, likely a molecular story.

cheers

Answer 5

it quite is a peculiar little critter. sounds like something i do not choose residing with my clownfish. Print the images or attempt taking it out of the tank and bringing the images/surely animal to a puppy shop or vet or in case you comprehend a marine biologist or something. Did you've it there earlier or did it in basic terms advance unexpectedly?

Answer 6

Sounds like the "Shimmies" could have been Ick or another contagious bacteral infection, and water temp too low.

Answer 7

well atleast the next time you buy fish..wash your tank but not with detergent. and dont leave food in the tank that has not been eaten.

Answer 8

Do you test the water? Sounds like nitrite poisoning to me.

Answer 9

to really figure it out you would need to send them out to a lab for a necropsy, but i suspect its pathogen in base, do a water change and hope for the best, if you have another breakout, try a broad spectrum anitbiotic, or metronidazole