Bloodfin tetras dying, please help

[allycat]

First, the background info: I have a well-established 20 gallon tank with two dwarf catfish, four neon tetras, and I had five bloodfin tetras. I just added one golden algae eater and a black mystery snail. I noticed my bloodfin tetras were breathing very quickly and hanging out at the bottom of the tank. I tested ammonia (none) nitrites (none) and pH (6.0). The temperature was also on the high side (80F). I did a fifty percent water change with slightly cooler water with a slightly higher pH. I also lowered the setting on the new heater. Now the pH is 6.4 and the temp is 76. All the others thought that was great, but my bloodfins were still having trouble. Now two have died. There were no discolorations on their bodies. One of the ones that is still alive is grossly round, but another is thin. The three left are still are breathing heavily and not eating. I have NO IDEA what is wrong. Any suggestions?

 

[Balloon Fish]

is there stuff sticking out of the gills? sounds to me like an internal parasite

 

[allycat]

No, they look normal except for the behavior.

 

[Balloon Fish]

maybe it could be a swim bladder problem and an internal parasite you can't see not a pro at this kind of stuff but good luck on finding the problem

 

[svetlana]

When small fish ia dying w/o visible reason in very short time after introduction into new tank, they say it is b/c your water is very different from the store water.
If you are curious you could go to lfs and ask them for their water sample and test it.

 

[allycat]

No, no, the bloodfins have been there for about six months. Only the heater, the algae eater, and the snail are new. They seem fine.

Thanks for the help everyone. I hope I can save them.

 

[chichian]

I'm no expert either, but I kinda agree w/Balloon fish. Since your water parameters are good, I would guess an internal parasite or tiny ectoparasite infecting the gills--probably brought with your new algae eater or snail (if snails can be carriers)? Maybe someone else who has had these symptoms before can help better.

Good luck diagnosing and treating!

 

[Alvin Clampitt]

Allycat bloodfin tetras

Sorry to hear about the bloodfin tetras ,were fins clamped or any sighs of white or cottony growth or patchs on any part of fish.

 

[FroggyFox]

I would agree that usually whenever something goes wrong in a tank after adding new fish...its pretty certain that its something that came in with the new fish, or at least some additional stress thats causing issues. Thats why many people have quarentine tanks.

A change in the pH of more than .2 an hour can be very harmful...I wouldn't suggest changing it like that. Water change, maybe...but if your other fish aren't having issues and there aren't any high levels of ammonia/nitrites/nitrates that need to be taken care of...then a water change might just add more stress.

If things stabilize that'd be great. If not I might try treating the tank with some kind of multi functional medication? Good luck!

 

[discus4everGrl]

Is there an airstone in the tank. There may not be enough dissolved oxygen in the tank, especially if you have increased your fish load and there isn't a stone in the tank. If there isn't one, add one and see if that helps.