AdamsZoological
Aquarium Advice Freak
Howdy all,
Found myself in quite the dilema today, and I'm at a loss for what could be going on. Early this morning, I checked in on my 75gal South American Cichlid tank to find a not so nice surprise, my approx 6-7" Crenicichla sp. (Pike Cichlid), bottom up, stiff. Just 24 hrs prior, this fish was out, feeding as normal, full of energy, and his usual self. Approximately 10 minutes after removing that body, I went by the tank again, to find my 16-17" H. plecostomus, on his back, gasping, when I had removed the pike, this fish was in his normal spot, attached to the glass, as I said, this was 10 minutes before I had observed him like that, also, I notcied him feeding, and acting normal the day before. I couldnt make a diagnosis of a problem, so instead of adding possibly uneeded medications/chemicals, I did a 10% water change, and left the tank. I returned about 15-20 minutes later, to find the plecostomus, dead. There is also two other inhabitants in the tank, a 12" A. ocellatus(Oscar), and an approx. 8" P. managuense(Jaguar/Managua Cichlid). Both are behaving normally, but arent looking the greatest, the Jaguar has one spot where a portion of his slime coat appears to be sloughing off, and the Oscar has several spots that look like superficial scrapes, and also slight slime coat sloughing in places. Both are also still feeding normally. The pike when removed, appeared physically fine, no marks, or external signs of anything. The plecostomus has a slight scrape along his tail, and what appeared to be excess slime coat covering his body. The last water change on the tank was about 25% approximately 10 days prior. Water tests this morning showed everything stable where it has been for months. A pH of about 6.2, low yes, but what they have been accustomed to, and also not much below what South Americans prefer anyhow. NH3 of 0, NO2 of 0, and NO3 of 20ppm. Immediately after removing the last casualty, I proceeded to do a large water change, about 50%, still unknowing of what the problem is, and not wanting to add medications that would only do extra harm. Any ideas, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Mitch
Adams Zoological Inc.
Found myself in quite the dilema today, and I'm at a loss for what could be going on. Early this morning, I checked in on my 75gal South American Cichlid tank to find a not so nice surprise, my approx 6-7" Crenicichla sp. (Pike Cichlid), bottom up, stiff. Just 24 hrs prior, this fish was out, feeding as normal, full of energy, and his usual self. Approximately 10 minutes after removing that body, I went by the tank again, to find my 16-17" H. plecostomus, on his back, gasping, when I had removed the pike, this fish was in his normal spot, attached to the glass, as I said, this was 10 minutes before I had observed him like that, also, I notcied him feeding, and acting normal the day before. I couldnt make a diagnosis of a problem, so instead of adding possibly uneeded medications/chemicals, I did a 10% water change, and left the tank. I returned about 15-20 minutes later, to find the plecostomus, dead. There is also two other inhabitants in the tank, a 12" A. ocellatus(Oscar), and an approx. 8" P. managuense(Jaguar/Managua Cichlid). Both are behaving normally, but arent looking the greatest, the Jaguar has one spot where a portion of his slime coat appears to be sloughing off, and the Oscar has several spots that look like superficial scrapes, and also slight slime coat sloughing in places. Both are also still feeding normally. The pike when removed, appeared physically fine, no marks, or external signs of anything. The plecostomus has a slight scrape along his tail, and what appeared to be excess slime coat covering his body. The last water change on the tank was about 25% approximately 10 days prior. Water tests this morning showed everything stable where it has been for months. A pH of about 6.2, low yes, but what they have been accustomed to, and also not much below what South Americans prefer anyhow. NH3 of 0, NO2 of 0, and NO3 of 20ppm. Immediately after removing the last casualty, I proceeded to do a large water change, about 50%, still unknowing of what the problem is, and not wanting to add medications that would only do extra harm. Any ideas, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Mitch
Adams Zoological Inc.
