Archerfish EMERGENCY + (spitting images)

**Scott Linstead** · 09-07-2008, 02:34 PM

Hi, All

I am the photographer guy who was asking about archers a while ago. I now have 3 adults in a separate tank that performed very well for my photography purposes. Suddenly, the adult tank seems like they are all dying. The aggressive one whose color changes often based on his mood is now very dark and just plows up against the sidewall of the aquarium all day. The other two seem lethargic and their eyes are strange looking and no one is eating much.

- Yesterday, I changed a good 60 percent of the water yesterday thinking that maybe there was some nitrate or ammonia issue that was beyond my understanding -- no improvement.

- The salinity is exactly what it was at the store where I bought them. The temp is around 27C, again same as the store.

- As far as incidents go, the pump shut down while I was away for a few days and the guy who was feeding them for me dropped in more crickets than he should have. I had to scoop out a bunch of dead ones when I got back so they wouldnt start rotting in there. I have been adding cycle regularly. COuld the rotting crickets have messed up the water chemistry? They only took a turn for the worse over a week after this incident and their appetite and behavior was quite normal until only a few days ago. Also, I changed a good portion of the water in case there was a contamination issue. As I said, no improvement since the water change yesterday.

ANY SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED, THESE GUYS HAVE BEEN GOOD TO ME AND I HATE TO SEE THEM GO BELLY UP!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE IMAGES THEY PRODUCED HERE:

http://www.scottyphotography.com/wil...astmdwlrk1.htm

http://www.scottyphotography.com/wil.../pages/bb1.htm

**gm72** · 09-07-2008, 02:41 PM

If by pump you mean the filter, you probably had a bacteria culture die-off and you are now having to re-cycle. I am guessing you have ammonia and nitrIte spikes. What are your water parameters now?

**Scott Linstead** · 09-07-2008, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by gm72

If by pump you mean the filter, you probably had a bacteria culture die-off and you are now having to re-cycle. I am guessing you have ammonia and nitrIte spikes. What are your water parameters now?

I am embarrassed to say that I have never tested the water for PH, nitrates, etc.

**Red** · 09-07-2008, 02:59 PM

if you havent i would go by a API test kit and check it..

**gm72** · 09-07-2008, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Linstead

I am embarrassed to say that I have never tested the water for PH, nitrates, etc.

Responsible fish keeping does indeed require being prepared to test for these issues. You need a test kit immediately.

**smaug** · 09-07-2008, 04:25 PM

I echo GMs sentiments.There is no other way but to check your water frequently.BTW,they are some awesome pics,especially the jump shot.Im really glad you dont post your pics here for potm!

**Scott Linstead** · 09-07-2008, 09:22 PM

I will have to wait till tomorrow to get a a testing kit. I am now noticing that 2 of them have a swollen eye!

When you keep track of the chemistry of the water, are all the quantities immediately correctable? What I mean to say is: Ph seems like a simple enough quantity to correct with the right product, but what about ammonia and nitrates etc.? Could someone describe the various quantities taht need to be monitored and how they are corrected?

Thanks!

**gm72** · 09-07-2008, 09:24 PM

Unfortunately this is what happens when you don't stay on top of their conditions.

We appreciate your photo-taking skills, no question, but please take part as a responsible fish keeper and immediately initiate water testing. Not fair to the animals and I'll leave it at that.

**Scott Linstead** · 09-07-2008, 09:48 PM

No need to get sanctimonious, GM, I wouldn't be here trying to find out how to solve the problem if I didn't care about the welfare of the animals. My commercial interest in the animals is over and I could easily just flush them down the toilet if I was so minded. In my lengthy pursuit of trying to find this elusive species, I spoke to many vendors and fish-keeping types and no one ever mentioned to me that these quantities needed to monitored constantly. And, believe me, the inclination to sell a layman like me every bit of preventative products was always there with the vendors. Sorry to have offended your fish-enthusiast sensibilities by asking a question on how to restore the health of a fish.

Scott

**Red** · 09-07-2008, 09:52 PM

ehh dont mind him.......
He is totally right that you should focus more on the fish keeping aspect then picture taking.... I would go get a API test kit. You will need nitrIte and nitrAte and ph and we will try to figure out whats wrong.... i would pick up some fungas remover and parasite killer....
You do have a heater in there right? What is the temp?