Fish twitching

[Anna94]

One of my lemon tetras is twitching and staying at the bottom of the tank. I would upload a video, but I only have the option to upload photos from my phone. I tested the water last night and ammonia was either 0.25 or 0.50, nitrites were 0, and nitrates were either 10 or 20.

 

[flchamp89]

Does not sound like your cycled. Or Over stocked. Do a large wc dose prime and retest. May need to do twice.

 

[Anna94]

My tank's been cycled for a year. I do weekly 50% water changes, but my ammonia always stay at 0.25. My tank is a 20 gallon long and I have 17 fish in it (2 of them are "worker/""feeder" fish). I use the liquid test kit.

 

[flchamp89]

I remember being in a thread about your tank. What size is it ? And do you have ammonia in tap? May be overstocked and levels just rise. Have you messed with substrate. Over fed? Recently had a death in tank? Something off

 

[flchamp89]

I remember now. Ya you have alot of fish in there. Chloramine can give false positives too. But if you always have ammonia it could be your water source. Personally I dont like 20 nitrates. Either way imo need a wc. Then probably need to look at stocking and feeding.

What do you mean worker/feeder fish?

 

[Anna94]

I remember now. Ya you have alot of fish in there. Chloramine can give false positives too. But if you always have ammonia it could be your water source. Personally I dont like 20 nitrates. Either way imo need a wc. Then probably need to look at stocking and feeding.

What do you mean worker/feeder fish?

I tested my tap awhile back and there was 0 ammonia in it. Worker/feeder fish: an otocinclus and a horseface loach.

 

[Anna94]

And I feed a pinch or two of food once a day

 

[flchamp89]

I remember you seemed upset. But seems like I remember tank being overstocked. It stinks I know. But to me it takes the fun out of the hobby if you have to constantly fight parameters. Leads to a lot of work, stress, wasted money, and dead stock.

I dont know alot but I know proper stocking makes this game alot more fun. I got 5 endlers in a 10g. Sure id love a dozen but you cant do it.