I think ammonia poisoning

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

This is my observation tank. Tank is cycled and I have had the same 5 fish in it for 6 weeks. Ammonia badge changed colors to the first alert stage. I know they are not a good tester but, it’s what I have on the glass. I noticed 2 fish on their side when I got home for work. I’m not sure what happened. I did a 98% water change to water that was same temp. The the emperor was breathing really heavy before. After the water change he perked up and swam away. The regal looks not healthy and swims around about every 45 minutes. Is there anything you can do for a fish that was impacted by ammonia? Weirdly I have 3 tiny juveniles (purple rang, blue hippo and a file fish) that are not impacted.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This is my observation tank. Tank is cycled and I have had the same 5 fish in it for 6 weeks. Ammonia badge changed colors to the first alert stage. I know they are not a good tester but, it’s what I have on the glass. I noticed 2 fish on their side when I got home for work. I’m not sure what happened. I did a 98% water change to water that was same temp. The the emperor was breathing really heavy before. After the water change he perked up and swam away. The regal looks not healthy and swims around about every 45 minutes. Is there anything you can do for a fish that was impacted by ammonia? Weirdly I have 3 tiny juveniles (purple rang, blue hippo and a file fish) that are not impacted.

Mouth is closed and I dont believe an ammonia issue . A water test with a Reliable test kit would confirm level. I do see plywood holding up rock which may be an issue

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Mouth is closed and I dont believe an ammonia issue . A water test with a Reliable test kit would confirm level. I do see plywood holding up rock which may be an issue

Plywood in a tank? lol Wooden airstone:

 

[vetteguy53081]

Plywood in a tank? lol Wooden airstone:

Ok, in pic looked to be wood. Also if depending on a $10 badge, they are also formulated for freshwater use and after two weeks are pretty much useless. I will not depend on a badge to sustain a $200 fish. Salifert and Hanna brand tests are best

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Mouth is closed and I dont believe an ammonia issue . A water test with a Reliable test kit would confirm level. I do see plywood holding up rock which may be an issue

very odd… emperor swam away and is now eating.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Ok, in pic looked to be wood. Also if depending on a $10 badge, they are also formulated for freshwater use and after two weeks are pretty much useless. I will not depend on a badge to sustain a $200 fish. Salifert and Hanna brand tests are best

I hear you. I can’t test every day. So replacing the badge every 14 days would be helpful?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I hear you. I can’t test every day. So replacing the badge every 14 days would be helpful?

Badge is just not dependable/accurate. You can always take a water to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and you'll know where your levels truly are at

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Badge is just not dependable/accurate. You can always take a water to a store that does NOT use Api kits and have them test your ammonia and nitrates and you'll know where your levels truly are at

I have ever tester known to man. I just can’t get to it everyday, this is my last attempt at trying to get fish from a LFS. I’ve purchased my last 35 or so preqt’d from two sources online with 98% success. I wanted to give this another try by strictly trying an observation route for a couple months. But think between Kenny st High Tide and Dr. Reef, I’m going to simply stay that route.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This is my observation tank. Tank is cycled and I have had the same 5 fish in it for 6 weeks. Ammonia badge changed colors to the first alert stage. I know they are not a good tester but, it’s what I have on the glass. I noticed 2 fish on their side when I got home for work. I’m not sure what happened. I did a 98% water change to water that was same temp. The the emperor was breathing really heavy before. After the water change he perked up and swam away. The regal looks not healthy and swims around about every 45 minutes. Is there anything you can do for a fish that was impacted by ammonia? Weirdly I have 3 tiny juveniles (purple rang, blue hippo and a file fish) that are not impacted.

Can you get a better video of the fish this morning?

That ammonia badge looks suspect - it could be ammonia, but I’m also worried about gill disease.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Can you get a better video of the fish this morning?

That ammonia badge looks suspect - it could be ammonia, but I’m also worried about gill disease.

Good Morning Jay. Sadly both fish passed over night. The regal did not look good the Emperor looked really good. But both had labored breathing. I have 3 quarter sized fish left in this insert tank. Purple tang, hippo and a file. All are acting normal. I had been doing a prazi treatment. For prevention in that display. What should I do in regards with the 3 existing fish?

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Well, things have shifted. The purple tang this morning is covered with ich. File fish doesn’t and I can’t find the hippo (all very small juveniles). So this creates some challenges. I had 3 rocks in the observation tank. 2 had coral on them but also had a ton of yellow sponge. The Regal was destroying the yellow sponge. Now I’ll have to let the observation tank go fallow for a bit. I’ll read the thread on that. If they are still alive when I get home, I’ll set up a 20g tank with copper and start treatment. At 4 am I didn’t notice anything on the tang. 3 hours later as I was walking out the door, he is covered in ich.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Well, things have shifted. The purple tang this morning is covered with ich. File fish doesn’t and I can’t find the hippo (all very small juveniles). So this creates some challenges. I had 3 rocks in the observation tank. 2 had coral on them but also had a ton of yellow sponge. The Regal was destroying the yellow sponge. Now I’ll have to let the observation tank go fallow for a bit. I’ll read the thread on that. If they are still alive when I get home, I’ll set up a 20g tank with copper and start treatment. At 4 am I didn’t notice anything on the tang. 3 hours later as I was walking out the door, he is covered in ich.

That sure can happen with ich, but if you can post a video, I might be able to confirm the issue.