SterlingSilver
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
So just over a week ago I changed over my tank to a 20 long. For the first few days everything was alright, but then the 2 oto catfish acted lethargic, started hiding under driftwood most of the time, and I noticed one was breathing very heavy while the other was breathing very shallow. I had noticed this in them a few months ago when I increased the temp to treat them for ich.
Today the heavy breather died. Although I have never been able to get them to eat veggies or algae wafers, they love eating off the driftwood so I was not too worried. Although they do not have swollen stomachs, they are not sunken in either. Could his death have been from stress a week later?
In the tank I also have tiger barbs, who have never nipped at the otos. One tiger was very reclusive, and is not eating. When I discovered the oto, I also noticed the the tiger was out schooling with the other tiger barbs. I'm hoping this is a good sign.
Tank is cycled, since I used the same HOB and sponge filters. Ammonia and nitrite are 0 and nitrate is around 20.
Only thing out of the ordinary is a weird purple film type of thing on the heaters' suction cups.
Could this be stress, or something in the tank? I was worried and added more api tap water conditioner to the tank.
The remaining oto is still a bit lethargic. I have been putting in algae wafers, but they go by unnoticed and I am very worried about him.
Today the heavy breather died. Although I have never been able to get them to eat veggies or algae wafers, they love eating off the driftwood so I was not too worried. Although they do not have swollen stomachs, they are not sunken in either. Could his death have been from stress a week later?
In the tank I also have tiger barbs, who have never nipped at the otos. One tiger was very reclusive, and is not eating. When I discovered the oto, I also noticed the the tiger was out schooling with the other tiger barbs. I'm hoping this is a good sign.
Tank is cycled, since I used the same HOB and sponge filters. Ammonia and nitrite are 0 and nitrate is around 20.
Only thing out of the ordinary is a weird purple film type of thing on the heaters' suction cups.
Could this be stress, or something in the tank? I was worried and added more api tap water conditioner to the tank.
The remaining oto is still a bit lethargic. I have been putting in algae wafers, but they go by unnoticed and I am very worried about him.