Angelfish got sick after water change?

[allabarton]

Hi,

I've had 2 Bellus Angelfish for 6 weeks in 30 g QT. I change 5-10% a couple of times a week. Last Friday I changed maybe 15% water. The angelfish slowdown eating. By Monday they refused eating. They were swimming but stayed on the bottom moats of the time.

Monday I decided to do 50% water change. Tuesday the stayed the whole time at the bottom. Today, Thursday, they are both laying on their sides on the bottom breathing heavily. Their scale looks very dull.

I use Salinity saltmix mixing it in 20 g tall tank with a power head for 24 hours.

I change 10% weekly in my 180 g reeftank without any problems.

Please, share any thoughts. What could've happened and what could be done?

The fish is from Diver's Den. And I did PraziPro treatment a few weeks ago. And added PraziPro post Monday just in case.

Thank you.

Alla

 

[tommy3114]

I've used similar medicine on my fishes in a QT, they did the same thing yours is doing by not eating after a few week. When I saw that, I stopped the medication and tried to get the med out of the system. Then I feed them food soaked in garlic juice and they started eating again.

 

[allabarton]

I've used similar medicine on my fishes in a QT, they did the same thing yours is doing by not eating after a few week. When I saw that, I stopped the medication and tried to get the med out of the system. Then I feed them food soaked in garlic juice and they started eating again.

Thank you.
I am going to change 5g adding water from my reeftank today and tomorrow.

 

[allabarton]

I am very sad. I lost two beautiful fish.

I just wonder if they were doing great for 6 weeks in established QT (running for 1 year BB with some live rock) with nothing added could the suddenly die from some parasite?

I wonder if freshly mixed water was not mixed correctly. I use powerhead to mix. No airstone.

I still suspect water change has to do something with that. I had fish died or stressed in the past shortly after I changed more than 15-20%. Specially Salinity saltmix even after mixing it for 24 hours has very murky appearience.

Please, any input would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Alla

 

[Deinonych]

Sorry for your losses. I get really bummed when I lose a fish in QT.

What was the salinity of the tank vs. new water? Are you using RO/DI or tap water to make saltwater? If the water is still murky, it probably hasn't fully aerated and mixed. I use Instant Ocean and it's usually clear after a few hours (I mix/aerate with a small powerhead).

 

[SDguy]

I agree its very strange that they would be doing well for a full 6 weeks, and then die so quickly. If it was any sort of water quality issue of the QT I would think the 50% water change would perk them up, not make it worse. Any chance some sort of cleaning chemical or other toxin got into your water/mixing container?

 

[roenicknewf]

I assume you test the QT salinity and temp and the freshly mixed water to be added after the WC's, but only thing i can think of is a sudden rise in salinity or temp..

 

[reef80]

Sorry bout our losses...makes no sense esp with fish from DD...but the murky water is not a good sign. I would mix another batch and if still murky after 24 hrs then call the salt water company. Also make some rodi water on the side and check if its murky.

 

[allabarton]

Sorry for your losses. I get really bummed when I lose a fish in QT.

What was the salinity of the tank vs. new water? Are you using RO/DI or tap water to make saltwater? If the water is still murky, it probably hasn't fully aerated and mixed. I use Instant Ocean and it's usually clear after a few hours (I mix/aerate with a small powerhead).

Thank you, Deinonych.

I do use RODI water. I have an SPS 180g tank. The only thing: when I do 10% weekly water change in DT I run for 20-30 minutes skimmer in the sump before I turn the return pump on. And that it strange that even after 24 hours mixing with a powerhead salt water stays murky. Something I am doing wrong.

 

[triggreef]

The rodi strips the o2. Why wouldn't you use an air stone? I think maybe they suffocated. Any other meds in the water? Prime or amquil?

 

[allabarton]

The salinity! It was 1.022 with Refractometer. I was adding salt-mix with 1.025. I had mix ready for DT and decided to use as an emergency WC in QT. and it was about 60% WC in 30g QT.
Are the fish that sensitive to salinity? Temperature was the same. Have a heater in mixing tank.

 

[allabarton]

Any chance some sort of cleaning chemical or other toxin got into your water/mixing container?

The mixing tank is in the laundry room. But it's covered. And it's sitting high enough for my small kids to reach.


Thank you, Peter.

 

[SDguy]

Are the fish that sensitive to salinity?

IMO no, that's not different enough to cause death.

 

[roenicknewf]

A swing upwards ,yes..
Is .003 enough of a swing ,,i doubt it

 

[allabarton]

I assume you test the QT salinity and temp and the freshly mixed water to be added after the WC's, but only thing i can think of is a sudden rise in salinity or temp..

That's what I think now.
Do you, guys, use airstone or powerhead is enough for gas exchange? I have powerhead with 1/4" tube drawing air in.

Thank you.

 

[allabarton]

Also make some rodi water on the side and check if its murky.

Thank you, reef80. RODI water is clear.

 

[roenicknewf]

If you have a PH and your lid isn't airtight ,i don't think gas exchange is an issue..
One thing i didn't see is what type of filtration is on your QT

 

[allabarton]

Just 2 foam filters, a little rock and WC.

 

[allabarton]

The next time, after I recover this loss, I'll do WC no more than 10%. Better 5% a few times a week. And that what I had been doing for the first 6 weeks.

 

[allabarton]

I use the same salt mix for my Scolymia 10g QT and it is doing great.