An unknown Stress

Mcole · Nov 16, 2017

I have a breeders system that I have tried to breed fish in for the past couple of years. In the system I have four fish, two paired Clarkiis one unpaired Ocellaris and one unpaired Darwin. I had a large water change a few days, about 70-90%. Ever since my clarkiis and my Ocellaris have been incredibly stressed. My Ocellaris has been swimming vertical, on of my clarkiis has been fully laying on the ground until I get near. (he wants food) I have taken water quality checks 4 times in the past day. All of them say 7-8 ppm ph, 0.0 ppm ammonia, 0.0 ppm Nitrite, and 20-40 ppm Nitrate (a bit high but fine). I have had a broken light for the system and have been trying to replace it this week. I need to know if anything else can cause this. (I used chlorine cleaner when I did the water change)

Kremis · Nov 16, 2017

what about salinity? is there enough oxygen in the tank? what about temperature?

Humblefish · Nov 16, 2017

Any chance a household cleaner or bug spray contaminated your water change vat?

Mcole · Nov 17, 2017

Salinity is .21 temp is 76-78, I do not know how to check oxygen.

Mcole · Nov 17, 2017

No chemicals were near the water change, those are kept far from my tanks

MnFish1 · Nov 17, 2017

Mcole said:
I have a breeders system that I have tried to breed fish in for the past couple of years. In the system I have four fish, two paired Clarkiis one unpaired Ocellaris and one unpaired Darwin. I had a large water change a few days, about 70-90%. Ever since my clarkiis and my Ocellaris have been incredibly stressed. My Ocellaris has been swimming vertical, on of my clarkiis has been fully laying on the ground until I get near. (he wants food) I have taken water quality checks 4 times in the past day. All of them say 7-8 ppm ph, 0.0 ppm ammonia, 0.0 ppm Nitrite, and 20-40 ppm Nitrate (a bit high but fine). I have had a broken light for the system and have been trying to replace it this week. I need to know if anything else can cause this. (I used chlorine cleaner when I did the water change)

How long did you mix the salt. What were the parameters before you did the 90% water change. It’s probably the some parameter changed with the water change

CindyKz · Nov 18, 2017

Was something going on that prompted you to do such a large water change?

Mcole · Nov 19, 2017

The water was Murky, the ammonia was up more then usual. I mixed the salt for about 3-5 minutes, which is what I have always done.

MnFish1 · Nov 19, 2017

Mcole said:
The water was Murky, the ammonia was up more then usual. I mixed the salt for about 3-5 minutes, which is what I have always done.

OK

.. I used to do that as well - but now mix salt several hours if not overnight to make sure all is completely mixed. The particular brand of salt I use actually recommends this - rather than using it immediately.

Mcole · Nov 19, 2017

Do you stir it a little bit every hour, or do you stir it up and let it sit for a bit? Thanks.

MnFish1 · Nov 19, 2017

Mcole said:
Do you stir it a little bit every hour, or do you stir it up and let it sit for a bit? Thanks.

I have a pump in a large plastic bin constantly mixing

CindyKz · Nov 19, 2017

Mcole said:
The water was Murky, the ammonia was up more then usual.

Do you usually have measurable ammonia? This statement makes me wonder if your fish are suffering from ammonia toxicity, even though you stated that your levels were 0.0 after the water change. I don't know what the long term effects are. The fish laying on the bottom sounds suspicious for ammonia, I don't know about the vertically swimming fish.

Anyone with more knowledge than me...

Mcole · Nov 20, 2017

Thanks MnFish1, normally I don't, but I had not properly cleaned my tanks before the water change.

Rakie · Nov 25, 2017

Mix your water for at least a few hours. You do this by putting your water in a container with a powerhead to mix it.

Second, your ammonia levels should be undetectable with our available testing methods at all time -- There will always be trace amounts, but if you can get readings on a test, you have WAY more than the allowed maximum.

Third, what kind of skimmer are you using? You shouldn't have murky water. If you do, your skimmer isn't doing it's job, or you don't have one. Skimmers are essential for a myriad of reasons.