Hey everybody,

I have a 4 foot tank at work that has 6 small e.yellows, 3 Jewels and 3 clown loahces in it. I got to work this morning and they all looked fine. i feed them and now the are all just hanging in the water vertyically facing up, (this is 4 hours later). They are not gasping.

It has happened to everyone. I have been treating fin rot with melafix but that is the only thing that has changed. Help please anyone.

mine did this a while ago and it turned out that the filter had been off for a while and the ammonia build up was HUGE. I did lots of water changes over a couple of days and VERY LIGHTLY rinsed the filter.

I hope that helps a little. Ive always thought that hanging at the top was too little oxygen on the water?

Right time for a water change then. I noticed a build up of uneaten food behind a rock so that might be part of the problem as well.

Yep, big water change and once you've done that check your filter is working. You may also want to add some 'cycle' or similar and don't feed for a day or two. Good luck.

The following was a quote found on info regarding Melafix. It is the Freshwater section under the thread about Melafix...

Both Melafix and Pimafix are organic compounds. The bacteria in the tank water (not necessarily the ones on the fish) these products don't kill, sometimes use the Melafix and Pimafix as food! This means that when you add these medications to a tank (especially a tank that has not been maintained well or one that hasn't had regular water changes) there is a small chance that a bacterial bloom will ensue and take up dissolved oxygen. This could mean that you could see, under such circumstances, your fish significantly increase their respiratory rate.

Yep, another reason to avoid Melafix if you can.

Ah that could be it. I guess you can think you do regular water changes and keep your tank great but then something like this comes along.

If i should keep away from the stuff, what can i use to treat fin rot instead?

Normally it is advised to use Wunder Tonic for the first week to control the disease initially then change to Melafix. . .

How's the fishies??

Caper

The fishies recovered nicely after a water change thanks. I stopped treating the whole tank and borrowed a small tank to treat the sick fish in.

thanks for everyones ideas.

That's good to hear.

When you say "sick fishies" do you mean the ones with fin rot? Are you still using Melafix? Oh, and keep us posted as to how they are doing.

Caper