Please Help Diagnose A Problem

[Bandido]

Hi all,

I have been running a 21 gallon tank with 4 Rasboras and 6 Runny-nose tetras for a number of months with no issues. Newbie fish guy but did some homework and got some help here :) Having fun and all was well.

I recently added 3 Gourami's and 2 Rams (bought from PetSmart - a mistake as you will see).

One of the Rams died immediately, overnight. Then the Gourami's started acting peculiarly: they sometimes swim in odd ways - like if this is a fish swimming normally > > > they will sometimes do this > V V V > - and sometimes they dart to the surface, and they all seem to be 'panting'. Then a few of the tetras started doing the same.

I can't see any fungus, or marks, or tattered fins, etc.

I haven't lost anyone else yet, but obviously these are all signs something is wrong with the tank. The problem is that the symptoms are so general I don't know what to do.

I change water regularly, 30-40% every week.

Tested on my Master Kit: Amonia measures 0ppm; Nitrites measure 0ppm; Nitrates measure 10ppm; Ph is 7.8 (which is normal for the region where I live); Temp is 76.

Any help/guidance is much appreciated!

[Sharon]

Well, it's not uncommon for Rams to die immediatelyafter being purchased. They are terribly sensitive, and often unhealthy when purchased from an unreliable source. Are the Gouramis the Dwarf variety? They too, have a bad rep...due to a virus that is common among Dwarves. Three is too many for that sized tank as well...Will Petsmart take the fish back? If so I would return the Gouramis, and when the tank situation settles, increase the number of Rasboras to six...

[Twe3k]

i would also increase your Rasboras to six as they are schooling fish and need to be atleast 6 to be happy. Also your tank probally experienced a spike in ammonia, due to bio over load. Adding too many fish at a time can cause that. For the Ram they are very very sensitive fish that can not adjust too well with water not near perfect to theirs. They need low Ph water conditions. I wouldnt blame Petsmart, now all are bad.. it just that those fish have common in death with in the first week or soo due to being very sensitive.

[Bandido]

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

I'm stuck with the Gourami's now, but will likely graduate them to a bigger tank in the new year.

Right now I have bigger concerns.

I think I have diagnosed the issue as Ick. I noticed this evening that my Runny-noses have little little white spots that I don't think should be on them. So I'm going to take a shot at it as being Ick. I've also read online that the rapid breathing can be a symptom of Ich on the gills. And also read that Ich often occurs when fish are stressed - like when you add new fish for example!

Tomorrow will buy some Medication and see what happens. At least I feel that I've made a sensible diagnosis and can try and resolve this issue before addressing the underlying conditions that made them susceptible to it in the first place.

Thanks again :)

[Lab_Rat]

Glad you figured out the problem, ich is very treatable if you catch it early.

PS- It's rummynose, not runny nose. :wink:

[Bandido]

Hah hah - thanks!

Rummynose! Gotcha :)

[Bandido]

So I am attempting to deal with my Ich problem as follows:

1. I added 1 tsp/5gall of salt to the tank.

2. I increased the tank temp to 82.

3. I added some Maradel Coppersafe (following the directions on the box).

4. I have been keeping the tank darker than normal.

5. I did a 40% water change.

But it has been a few days and I'm not noticing any improvement. Should I just wait it out or change my tactics?

Note that I will also do a water change today.

Thanks again for any ideas!

[Lady Hobbs]

You are using two different treatments at once. You should either raise temps and use salt - or - use medication. If doing both you need to add extra oxygen to your tank via air stone or bubbler or lower the water level so the filters can do it for you.

[Bandido]

Oh, okay thanks! I'll stick with the medication moving forward.

I added an extra bubbler to improve Oxygen for the time being.

Thanks!