dying hawkfish

[netfishlight]

My tank had an ich break out three weeks ago, two fish died because of ich. Learned it hard way, i setup the QT tank with a 10g, bare bottom, a floss filter, heater and a skimmer. A AtO is controlling the water level and salinity.
There were two survived fish, a cardinal and a hawk fish. The salinity is lowerred down to 1.008-1.009 in five days. After two weeks, hawk fish stopped eating, i used garlic extreme, changed fish food, nothing of them worked. today, he laid side way, and still breath. The picture attached was taken an hour ago.
He had a drops infection a week ago, after i change water more often,it recovered itself.

at this time, what should I do? I don't know the hypo did the harm on it or ammonia? 10g is too small maybe.


[URL=http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2044728070102590296LGPLUA][/URL]

 

[Amdeus]

I dont think bio filters will work in that low of salinty. My guess ammonia?

 

[lagatbezan]

did you check your ph? Ph tends to drop when doing hypo so its important to keep an eye on it and use a buffer if it does change.

 

[MrTuskfish]

I guess everything just caught up to the hawkfish. IME, when a sick fish stops eating, no food will help until his health improves; but that doesn't mean don't try. I know its hard to see an upside now, but you've learned to use a QT. Let your DT go fishless for at least 6-8 weeks, use QT on everything from now on, and never do the ich battle again. BTW; there is no reason for a skimmer in a QT, there isn't enough crud to skim.

 

[netfishlight]

Tushfish, yes, i learned this time through this, also practiced the hypo in QT tank.
i was told the lowered PH will help on reducing the impact on Ammonia. so i stopped adjusting it. It is low.

i add the skimmer just for increase the oxygen in the water.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Tushfish, yes, i learned this time through this, also practiced the hypo in QT tank.
i was told the lowered PH will help on reducing the impact on Ammonia. so i stopped adjusting it. It is low.

i add the skimmer just for increase the oxygen in the water.

Good idea!

 

[netfishlight]

tuskfish, do u think i should adjust the pH? it only 6.5now with my handheld meter.

i changed the 50% water, it doesn't lay side way now. but still doesnt eat.

 

[lagatbezan]

I would try to bring the ph up. 6.5 is low. You are doing regular water changes so That should take care of the ammonia.

 

[jameskb]

I agree pH definitely needs to be higher. Sorry for you loss friend. Sometimes hypo is just too hard of a treatment on fish, it seems with almost any treatment especially in a small QT your success rate will never be 100% ammonia and pH are main factors in this. I finally had it with ich infestations in my aquariums last year and bought a UV sterilizer for my 48 gallon reef. It cleared up my ich in 2 weeks and I have not had to worry about the parasite since. Best of luck!

 

[jcw]

I agree pH definitely needs to be higher. Sorry for you loss friend. Sometimes hypo is just too hard of a treatment on fish, it seems with almost any treatment especially in a small QT your success rate will never be 100% ammonia and pH are main factors in this. I finally had it with ich infestations in my aquariums last year and bought a UV sterilizer for my 48 gallon reef. It cleared up my ich in 2 weeks and I have not had to worry about the parasite since. Best of luck!


Current Tank Info: 48 gallon Acrylic Aq. Hippo, Scopas, Sailfin, and Naso Tang, Yellowbar Maroon Clown, and Six-line Wrasse. Too many corals to fit in this sig. Strawberry crab, Rock-boring Urchin, Several hermits, Astrea Snails, Rose Bubble-Tip Anemone, Maxima clam.

:hmm5:

 

[jameskb]

:hmm5:

=p