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Lost all my Harlequins


Lady-Lene

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I did a partial water change yesterday and got up this morning to find all 6 Harlequin Rasboras floating (dead). The other fish refuse to eat and appear stressed. I immediately checked PH (7.0) Nitrites (0).

I was in a hurry and I'm wondering if when I did the water change I added Algae Fix in instead of water ager to the fresh water by mistake. This would explain the rasboras being affected as they like to chase the tiny bubbles when the fresh water comes out of the hose. They would have had a more direct dose.

I have removed dead fish and done a partial water change (bout 25% this morning and another 15% this avo). Levels are all still good this arvo but the remaining fish are still in hiding and the corys and gouramis don't appear to be too happy. Cardinals seem fine.

How often can I do water changes and how much without affecting the cycle too much?

I'm gutted as this is my first mishap and loss.

Any help would be appreciated.

Rayelene

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Sorry to hear about your loss, Raylene. Can you add water conditioner to the water now? It will neutralise any remaining chlorine and if it's one of the ones with an added slime coat (like stress-coat) it might help the fishies a little.

On the other hand, this long after the water change (probably almost 24 hours) there is likely to be very little chlorine left in the water you added. If it was only a partial water change I would be surprised if that was the cause of such a sudden and dramatic loss.

I hope someone else will come along with some more ideas.

By the way, how long has your tank been set up? Has it gone through the complete nitrogen cycle yet?

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Hi Whetu and adodge - Thanks for your replies.

Yes I added water conditioner today when I did the water changes this morning and after lunch (and it is the one with the stress-coat in it).

I don't think it was the chlorine I think it was an overdose of Algae-Fix. I treated the water with Algae Fix and I might have also used it as conditioner. If I did do that - then I probably gave them close to double the recommended dose! Eeeek. Poor wee things. This is only the second time I have ever used Algae Fix in my tank and I'm not sure I'll ever use it again now :)

Yes my tank has been fully cycled for about 5 1/2 months now and PH and Nitrite levels have been rock-steady (and still are).

Some of the fish look a little better tonight the still the Gouramis and Corydoras look unhappy. The Gouramis fins are up like they get when they are aggressive.

So how much water can I change at a time? Also do you thing the water changes I've done so far (Bout 45%) will have removed enough of the Algae Fix?

Cheers

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Theoretically speaking you could do a 100% water change and still have everything in order if you did it properly. If its not done correctly you just end up with a whole new tank cycle :lol: Im not saying you should do a 100%, just pointing out the large water changes, if done correctly dont harm bacteria significantly (if at all).

Id do a 2-3 50% w/c's, one each day and see if everyone perks up. With your 45% w/c youve almost bought the algae fix dose down to the amount that it was supposed to be so from here on it shouldnt be too bad, just keep an eye out for secondary problems (due to stress), the extra clean water will give them a nice boost.

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Well .... got up this morning to NO DEAD FISHIES Yay. :D:D:D Phew!

They are all looking much better and were hungry too which I guess is a good sign. Looks like the worst is over but I'll continue with the water changes and check PH and nitrites regularly over the next few weeks. Thens its back to my LFS to get some more fish. What a shame :D

A valuable lesson learned! Read the label before adding anything! Some of those bottles look similiar! Hehe

Thanks heaps for your help. Its nice to know there is somewhere to go for advice when things go wrong. I appreciate you!

Cheers

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