Fish dies within 1 hour

[bigmckyfan]

I have a tank that has been established for 6 months or more. I clean it regularly. I never change my routine and do everything the same way. Today I cleaned both of my tanks and in my larger tank the fish started to die immediately. It has been 2 hours and already 3 of my large fish are dead. Can anyone explain this? Please help. I took the fish out and moved them to the other tank but they are still fighting for their lives!

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[Scottyhorse]

Did you remove the filter pads? That will get rid of all the bacteria that keeps things stable. Did you add a dechlorinator such as prime?

 

[MeCasa]

Sorry for your loss. for that kind of quick reaction I think it had to be something added to the tank whether purposely or accidentally. My guess would be some type of cleaning fluid or residue on a cleaning utensil or chlorine in the change water.

 

[Brookster123]

Did you clean filters/switch pads? Remember dechlorinator? Extreme would be check your water report or test tap..

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[MICEY]

YOU HAD TO ADD SOMETHING POISON TO THE TANK
even if you killed all the bacteria the ammonia and nitrite levels would not get that high to kill your fish that fast
a oily film on the surface would cut off oxygen to the tank
IU would change as much water as I could to dilute what is killing your fish
even chlorine in the water would not kill them so fast

 

[Brookster123]

YOU HAD TO ADD SOMETHING POISON TO THE TANK
even if you killed all the bacteria the ammonia and nitrite levels would not get that high to kill your fish that fast
a oily film on the surface would cut off oxygen to the tank
IU would change as much water as I could to dilute what is killing your fish
even chlorine in the water would not kill them so fast

Chill...... we're troubleshooting here..

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[bigmckyfan]

I didn't get near anything that is poison to the fish. No oily film! Thanks for all the advice. I guess I will let the tank recycle and start over.

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[Angela1108]

I would definitely say do another change ASAP- if something did get in it would dilute it out pretty quickly.


The other tank you moved them to- if you didn't already I would add some extra stress coat and or stress zyme


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[HN1]

If you're certain that you properly dechlorinated, I would recommend testing your tap water. Water utilities routinely change additives and amounts.

What is your tank cleaning routine?

 

[MeCasa]

One variable that cannot be addressed is unknown fluctuations in treated water. Utilities DO have problems and water can sneak into the system that is not properly treated or the chemicals not accurately dispersed.

 

[Fishy Smell]

Have you been using bleach to clean it? If they were healthy before and several died virtually straight after it must be something extreme!!


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[Freakgecko91]

This can happen easily from temperature shock. Have had it happen to me in the past. If the water temps aren't close enough, the rapid change can easily shock the fish.

 

[elephantnose]

When I was new to keeping fish and if I tried to do a large water change I would end up killing all my fish. The only things that could of killed them were one I used to not treat my water. Or two the temp was not close enough. You probably have a situation similar to what I used to have as what your describing is exactly the same as what I used to experience.


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[Maridia]

Was the water going in roughly the same temp as the tank water? I have the siphon that hooks to the faucet. So I usually have to be pretty careful when filling up. I use a couple fingers to feel for relatively same temp. I've only been 1 or 2 degrees off. No deaths yet. Do you use this method?


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[Fishy Smell]

This can happen easily from temperature shock. Have had it happen to me in the past. If the water temps aren't close enough, the rapid change can easily shock the fish.

When i was starting out in the hobby (first 6 months or so), i think i killed off a few rams by the temperature dropping 3 or 4 degrees during a water change in a smallish tank. They took a week or so to die off though, and they are notoriously difficult fish to keep anyway. I would suggest that hardier fish (i assume) dieing within a few hours would have to be some serious temperature difference, i.e. close to 10 degrees or maybe more. It would be pretty careless to let it drop that much.

 

[Fishy Smell]

Incidentally, that's why i never do large water changes but lets not start another debate about that. I think 15% at a time is the maximum. If you want to be an extra good fish keeper, just do them very frequently (every 3 days) at that percentage. I do them usually every 7-10 days, and don't have problems with water. I currently have a small group of rams doing well, but they're kept in warm water (28 C) and i only change 10% at a time. I have twice the necessary filtration on that tank though, and feed little and often rather than large feedings on that tank. I over filter on other tanks also, but i feed a bit more generously and change about 15% at a time.

In fairness, the biggest problems i've ever had is when i've change 40-50% of the water in one go, a few more delicate species have ebbed away during the following week or so.

 

[bigmckyfan]

So i have kept fish for about 10 years and know completely what to do and what not to do. That's why this is a mystery to me. It's a 55g tank with 2 filters that i only change 1 at a time. Never both together. I check the water temp. I use my dechlorinator...prime. i cleaned the other tank right after this one without any problems. 4 fish died and i saved 4. Baffling!

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[Brookster123]

Back to my previous question? Not to be arrogant but I feel I offered a valid point that has been basically ignored. There is a rational explanation for this occurance, usually is.. aside from extraterrestrial tampering of course.. did you test your tap?? Did you call your town water department?? Do you love mysteries??

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[Fishy Smell]

Yes, that would be a good explanation. As you say, if you're doing everything you normally do, and you don't normally lose fish, surely the tap water is contaminated in some way. Ring your water board and ask what the flip is going on !


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[bigmckyfan]

I will call them today. Thanks for the advice but you miss the point where i cleaned both tanks and only one has fish die.

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