Hi
I obtained a 29 gallon quarantine tank and filled it with water and a seasoned Marineland 400 power filter from an established larger tank. I introduced eight one inch electric blue jack dempseys, one small severum, and two small Oscars. As a preventative measure, I treated with General Cure and added marine salt of about one tablespoon per five gallons to help with stress. My water parameters tested at a pH of about 6.6 with zero for both nitrites and ammonia and eight for nitrate. My temperature is set at 78 degrees and the fish were eating just fine. The severum and Oscars were slightly aggressive towards the dempseys but not too much at least what I could tell.
After doing a water change of about ten gallons to remove some of the medication at the end of the treatment process, the dempseys started to scratch themselves continuously, especially near the gill area. They also were breathing heavily and clamping their fins in. I couldn’t see any signs of skin damage or the presence of ich or velvet even though it is hard to see the dempseys well with their light coloration. They became skittish and did not eat. I tested my water again and found the pH at about 7.8, nitrate at six, and zero for both ammonia and nitrite. I turned off the lights and added two powerheads near the water’s surface to increase aeration. I added more salt to the aquarium after reading some suggestions from another website. The fish tank now has a salt content of about one tablespoon per gallon of water that I slowly added over three days. The severum and Oscars were behaving normally and still eating and not scratching. I removed the Oscars and severum to alleviate stress. The condition for my dempseys only improved slightly over a week after showing the stressed symptoms but still hide and show little interest in food. They still scratch and have their fins tucked in and swim along the bottom. A few of them have started to dart wildly around the tank and seem to wiggle awkwardly instead of typical swimming. Is it possible that a pH increase of one unit could cause a bacterial outbreak from stress or that much salt could cause skin irritation? Any suggestions, actions I can take, or medication to use I would really appreciate.
Thanks for the assistance
trust475
I obtained a 29 gallon quarantine tank and filled it with water and a seasoned Marineland 400 power filter from an established larger tank. I introduced eight one inch electric blue jack dempseys, one small severum, and two small Oscars. As a preventative measure, I treated with General Cure and added marine salt of about one tablespoon per five gallons to help with stress. My water parameters tested at a pH of about 6.6 with zero for both nitrites and ammonia and eight for nitrate. My temperature is set at 78 degrees and the fish were eating just fine. The severum and Oscars were slightly aggressive towards the dempseys but not too much at least what I could tell.
After doing a water change of about ten gallons to remove some of the medication at the end of the treatment process, the dempseys started to scratch themselves continuously, especially near the gill area. They also were breathing heavily and clamping their fins in. I couldn’t see any signs of skin damage or the presence of ich or velvet even though it is hard to see the dempseys well with their light coloration. They became skittish and did not eat. I tested my water again and found the pH at about 7.8, nitrate at six, and zero for both ammonia and nitrite. I turned off the lights and added two powerheads near the water’s surface to increase aeration. I added more salt to the aquarium after reading some suggestions from another website. The fish tank now has a salt content of about one tablespoon per gallon of water that I slowly added over three days. The severum and Oscars were behaving normally and still eating and not scratching. I removed the Oscars and severum to alleviate stress. The condition for my dempseys only improved slightly over a week after showing the stressed symptoms but still hide and show little interest in food. They still scratch and have their fins tucked in and swim along the bottom. A few of them have started to dart wildly around the tank and seem to wiggle awkwardly instead of typical swimming. Is it possible that a pH increase of one unit could cause a bacterial outbreak from stress or that much salt could cause skin irritation? Any suggestions, actions I can take, or medication to use I would really appreciate.
Thanks for the assistance
trust475
