Ammonia spike

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Hey! So about two weeks ago I added my first fish to my tank, a tailspot blenny. It was really shy at first, but it slowly started getting more confident. Unfortunately, when I came home the yesterday, I found my clean-up crew eating what was left of it. I’m not totally sure what caused it to die. The last time I tested, my ammonia was 0 ppm (Red Sea kit), but my nitrite was around 2. I did a water change a soon as I but I didn’t test my parameters. Today though, I tested, and my ammonia was about 0.2 ppm. I’m guessing that’s from the dead fish. What can I do to fix this and help stabilize the tank?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Hi, Can you post a tank pic for us? A picture will show us the rockwork, flow, surface agitation, which are all important for fish health.

No need to mention the nitrite level or even test it. What is the nitrate level? Thats whats important.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Hi, Can you post a tank pic for us? A picture will show us the rockwork, flow, surface agitation, which are all important for fish health.

No need to mention the nitrite level or even test it. What is the nitrate level? Thats whats important.

oh, thanks for the input! I’ve been struggling with my nitrate just because I had a messy cycle, and unfortunate timing happened. But currently, it’s around 20-50ppm. Sorry for such a large range, but the RedSea test kit I’m using shows it in between there. Here’s my rock work.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Hi, Can you post a tank pic for us? A picture will show us the rockwork, flow, surface agitation, which are all important for fish health.

No need to mention the nitrite level or even test it. What is the nitrate level? Thats whats important.

I was also planning an going to my LFS before all this happened, but I’m guessing I’ll skip going.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Nice rockwork! Sorry that happened and I don't see anything jumping out at me, sorry I can't help. Maybe the #fishmedics or someone else will have some idea's for you, good luck

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Nice rockwork! Sorry that happened and I don't see anything jumping out at me, sorry I can't help. Maybe the #fishmedics or someone else will have some idea's for you, good luck

Thanks! And no problem, at least it’s not a blaring issue.

 

[EnterName]

It's hard to tell what exactly happened. It might have been an insufficiently established nitrogen cycle causing an ammonia spike, or a sick/stressed fish.

Your snails might starve btw., it will take a while until the ugly phase starts and you get your first algae growth to properly feed them.

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

It's hard to tell what exactly happened. It might have been an insufficiently established nitrogen cycle causing an ammonia spike, or a sick/stressed fish.

Your snails might starve btw., it will take a while until the ugly phase starts and you get your first algae growth to properly feed them.

Yeah, about the snails, I’m planning on adding just a little bit of frozen food just to keep the little bit of diatoms I have going. But thanks for the input about the fish! I think might’ve been the latter, but I’m not sure, the fish store I go to can be a hit or miss sometimes.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yeah, about the snails, I’m planning on adding just a little bit of frozen food just to keep the little bit of diatoms I have going. But thanks for the input about the fish! I think might’ve been the latter, but I’m not sure, the fish store I go to can be a hit or miss sometimes.

Tough to say what happened since the fish died with no noted symptoms. Looks like it was the only fish in the tank? It may have had some disease issue, or a problem with collection/shipping. Did you ever see it eat?

 

[ZachariahBeanzz]

Tough to say what happened since the fish died with no noted symptoms. Looks like it was the only fish in the tank? It may have had some disease issue, or a problem with collection/shipping. Did you ever see it eat?

Thanks for the reply. And yes, I fed it everyday to every other day for a week and a half, and I saw it eat each time.

 

[Garf]

oh, thanks for the input! I’ve been struggling with my nitrate just because I had a messy cycle, and unfortunate timing happened. But currently, it’s around 20-50ppm. Sorry for such a large range, but the RedSea test kit I’m using shows it in between there. Here’s my rock work.

Nitrite messes with your nitrate test kit, giving false info. A real 0.2 total ammonia reading is nothing to be concerned about.