Help - Fish are dying

[builderguy]

I have a 37g QT that I put 7 fish into (okay maybe too many) on Sunday.

Since then I have lost 4 of them.

Initially it was the Ribbon Wrasse. He looked fine...no outward sign of disease, but he started laying at the bottom and if he tried to swim he would list to the side or end up upside down...he died FAST.

Two days later 1 of my cardinal fish died and one has died everyday since. Same thing...no outward signs, just end up with rapid breathing laying on their side or stuck to the intake screen on the power head.

So I've lost the wrasse and 3 of the 4 cardinal fish. I still have a coral beauty and a midas blenny that look fine so far.

I initially treated for the first three days with formallin 3. After I lost the wrasse and the first cardinal I switched to Permafix and Melafix...no improvement.

I tested the water for ammonia...no trace.

The water temp is 81 degrees.

What could be the problem?

 

[Percula9]

Does your QT have a biofilter? Too many fish in that size tank. Did you check for nitrites?

 

[paulamrein]

water changes, your treatment may also be a problem. You have to be precise when treating with chemicals. too little and it's ineffective, too much and it kills the fish. Keep up with checking water quality and chemical dosing. Good luck, don't give up

 

[ssavader]

Keep the number of fish in a quaranteen tank to the bare minimum. If you are observing one fish, and he is carrying a disease, then it only makes sense that he can pass it on to the other tank inhabitants. The stress of seven fish in that small of a tank most likely did not help. Try again, starting with one or two fish (at the most) at a time. good luck.

 

[builderguy]

Well, the three that have survived are doing quite well for the last five days. I did a good sized water change and change the primary treatment to copper. They are eating well and active. The one remaining cardinal fish has a discoloration/spot the size of your small fingernail on his side...not sure what that is...maybe some kind of fungus or velvet. There were nitrates...I do have a biofilter on the tank, but it seems to be established pretty well now...I'm sure I put too many fish in at once.

Thanks for your input.