Would high nitrate levels cause death and strange activity in fish?

Question

I have a 65 litre tank that has been set up for about 3 months and has 1 catfish, 6 tetra, 6 danio, 6 platies, 4 cyclids and 3 clown loaches in it and 1 swordtail.

Over the weekend the 6 tetra, 1 swordtail and 3 clown loaces died - although the only sympton prior to death was swimming a lot near the bottom of the tank.

I have checked the water and the nitrate is at the highest level (dark red) but our tap water is naturaully high and i do regular small water changes. - Would this cause them all to die suddenly?

I have my tank light on for about 12 hours of the day - as recommend in our local fish shop - could this also be a factor

The danios appear fine at the moment but the platies are now spending a lot of time at the bottom of the tank - please help as I dont want anymore to die.

Answer 1

First off, when you say high, what is high? 60 ppm or less is not HIGH and fish are fine. If your nitrates are that high, what are your ammonia spikes like? Tap water in the US is usually around 7 or less since that is what is allowed. That isn't high.

There are a number of things that could cause them to die quickly. What are your ph readings when you change the water and what are they now? Ammonia? A spike in PH will cause your fish to demise quicker than a higher nitrate level. 12 hours a day is fine. Mine are on a lot longer with no ill effects. Some fish are more sensative to PH changes. Need more info to be sure. Feel free to email and I will help you from there.

Answer 2

Yes of course,.. Nitrates are said to be less harmful than nitrites but at highest level they could kill fishes too.

From your story that the aquarium has been goin pretty well with all those fishes for 3 mos... seems that your aquarium has cycled.

But now where would that high nitrate level comes? (Did you said your tap water has naturally high? High what? Nitrates?)

Few possible reasons:

1. Did you had electrical shutdown or turn off your filter for more than 1 hour? Then you turn them on again without washing your filter media?
2. Have you checked the pH? Higher pH (>8) make ammonia more toxic to your fishes.
3. If water from your tap contains high nitrates everytime...maybe you should call someone incharge to check on it.

But most important is what you can do to minimalized casualties (Damage control :))
--> make 50% water change immediately with new aged water...or if it's not available ... you can buy several gallons of drinking water (costly...but at least it's ensured good water) or maybe borrow from your neighbor? --> continue water change every day till symptoms subsides. Provide constant temperature and pH. Aerate well.

Hope that helps...Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes high levels will kill your fish.

If your tap water run's high I would suggest getting an in-line water filter for both you and your fishes water, or using bottled water.

As for your fish dieing off suddenly??? Was it right after a water change, and did you remember to declorinate the water??? I have made this mistake a few times over the years.(Many Years lol)

Or have you recently changed any of the products you use in your tank? I ask because it is very easy to kill off fish while starting or stoping a treatment program either for illness or tank conditions.

I find that the less chemical use in the tank the better.

Hope this helps.
E.

Answer 4

I would check other parameters that are more toxic:

*Ammonia- 0
*Nitrites- 0

Then make sure you have a stable pH and you have a proper KH and GH, which for these fish should be around 80 ppm or more.

Please perform a 30-50% water change and add salt at one tablespoon per 5 gallons. Calcium and magnesium are also important electrolytes.

I would also watch for disease such as Velvet, as this can cause quick deaths (although your symptoms do not totally match this).

This all said, long term nitrates levels over 40-50 ppm Have been shown to stunt growth, and severly lessen disease resistance. Many Marine animals can perish a levels over 20-30 ppm.

I recommend reading this article for more about tap water and nitrates:
http://aquarium-answers.blogspot.com/2007/01/what-should-i-know-about-tap-water-for.html

This article may be useful for understanding he Nitrogen cycle:
http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Nitrogen_Cycle.html

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Yes it will.
you can get some nitrate removeing floating bags.
also when you add new water it should be treated with tap safe to remove the nitrate and other chemicals.
i would do a 50% water change (with tap safe)
then a small water change (up to 25%) each week or so

Answer 7

What type of cichlids are those? Your tank is very small for all the fish you've listed, especially when you include territorial fish like cichlids. It might not be coincidence that the cichlids are the ones without issues.

Answer 8

hi there ive had almost the same thing happen to me. what worked best for my tank was water changes and adding AMQUEL+. the amquel+ reduces nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, chlorimines, chlorine, and wont kill your biological filter. most pet stores will carry it or something similar. follow the directions on the bottle.
Hope this helps..

P.S
what type and size filters do you run ?
did you test your water for ammonia-ph ect.

Answer 9

I know here in Fl, we have experienced fish kills from lakes where there are large runoffs from farm land...which contain high nitrate levels from fertilizer.