Both of my clownfish breathing heavy after a 20% water change

[robertgifford11]

I changed the water of my fish tank yesterday, and today when I turned the lights on, I noticed that both of my clownfish are breathing heavy. All of my levels are 0 and my salinity is 1.023. my temp is 80°. I put 2 power heads pointing at the surface to get more oxygen diffusion. What else should I do? I've had them for over a year in this same tank without any problems. My mandarinfish is doing fine.

 

[RJinPV]

How big is the tank and what percentage of the water did you change out? Also what levels are the ph alk and calcium? I assume by "all my levels are zero" you mean ammonia and nitrite. From an oxygen point of view you did a good thing. If there is a hood on the tank you could keep it open and open the windows in the house to get the home CO2 levels down, but I have to think that will be a secondary and small benefit.

 

[robertgifford11]

I changed 20% of my water. my PH is 8.4, alk is 8dhk, calcium is about 400. the tank is a 10 gallon, and this is the first problem I've had with it for the year I had it so far.

 

[robertgifford11]

they were fine the whole day yesterday after the water change, they ate last night and won't eat today. it's weird because they want food whenever I go by the tank

 

[RJinPV]

Your numbers seem OK. Do you know what the numbers where before you made the change? We're hypothesizing a shock scenario where something like salinity or parameters changed a large amount. . Water temperature too. Is the salt water source the same as what you have been using?

 

[robertgifford11]

The numbers were all the same. I think it was just oxygen probably, a couple hours after I put the power heads near the top for more oxygen, they stopped breathing that heavy

 

[RJinPV]

Great! Very glad to hear that.

 

[gashunk]

Still we should get the experts in here @Humblefish @melypr1985 #reefsquad

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Still we should get the experts in here @Humblefish @melypr1985 #reefsquad

Good call and thank you.

@RJinPV thank you.

@robertgifford11 you checked ammonia ?

Good call on the PH placement.
I keep an air pump near the tanks too.

 

[melypr1985]

Hi there! So they stopped the heavy breathing and are now eating for you? No other symptoms to report besides that?

 

[robertgifford11]

yes they stopped breathing heavy , but they still won't eat

 

[melypr1985]

yes they stopped breathing heavy , but they still won't eat

Give them some time. Try meaty frozen options and you can even try adding a little garlic to entice them to eat again. Stop using the garlic after they start eating though. If any other symptoms show up like spots, swimming into the flow of a power head, a dusty/dirty appearance, ect.... let us know. Until then, keep the top open and the powerheads pointed up.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

May I ask, had the new salt water been sitting. Or was it freshly mixed.

 

[robertgifford11]

it was freshly mixed with RO water

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Heard an article that may shine some light I think.
I'm trying to be a better chemist.
http://www.theaquariumsolution.com/ph-low-fresh-salt-mix

High alk. Low ph. In the mix. Fresh made RO so no o2 in the new water.

 

[robertgifford11]

so it was just probably the oxygen levels low in the water?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

so it was just probably the oxygen levels low in the water?

that would be my guess. Plus a ph swing.

 

[Tahoe61]

If you're using a hydrometer and this was newly mixed water I would be inclined to think a shift from a lower salinity to a higher salinity in a short period of time. Fish tolerate swings in pH a lot better than a rise in SG in a short period of time. Lower SG is easier on fish, raising SG too fast causes stress.

 

[robertgifford11]

they're all fine now, they just ate their frozen food like they usually do

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

whew.!