Recent Feedback
For Ric at Tropical Fish Aficionados-Hi Ric, it's me from Las Vegas again. Remember the mollies I asked you about a couple of weeks ago--I had lost two males-they were thin and their tummies looked flat. I just treated the whole tank, including the pleco, with 5 doses of Metronidazole. I did one scoop every other day and did a 25% change before each dose (as advised by the fish store where I purchased the meds). I just lost two more males this past weekend, but both had started to exhibit mild symptoms before I started treatment--the "wobbly", weak swim, even though they were still eating ok. They didn't seem to be as thin as the others and their stomachs didn't look quite as flat. They just got weaker and weaker.Should I repeat the Metronidazole or something else? So far, everyone else looks ok. I have reduced feeding to try and keep the nitrates under 40. Nitrites and ammonia stay 0. I am not adding anymore salt because my pleco is in the tank.Need your advice!
The fact that the deceased fish were sick prior to treatment is a possible indication that maybe by the time the treatment was started it was too late for them.
For now I would halt the Metronidazole treatments as you've already treated 5 times which is certainly an ample treatment. Give the fish a break from medicines so at this point do not add or treat with any more medicines.
Try and get the nitrates at 20ppm or lower. If need be reduce the feedings to every other day and maybe add another filter or replace the one you have for a stronger one.
Keep in mind that high nitrates for a short period of time, i.e. 7-10 days is not so bad for the fish but prolonged exposure is.
Glad to hear that everybody else looks good.
.
Hi Ric,
Just a note before I accept your answer.
I was just now able to get to your answer, due to technical difficulties.
Thanks so much for your quick response. So far, no other casualties.
FYI--I treated the 50 gallon tank with the other three Cichlids and so far they are doing fine too--no signs of any infections. The nitrites and ammonia stayed good during the medication, but was elevated last night--three days after I did the 25% "after meds" change. I immediately did another 30% change and will check it every day. Everyone seems fine so far.
Thanks again for all your help!
Jane (from Las Vegas)
Hi Jane.
Glad to hear the cichlids are doing well but keep a vigiliant eye on the nitrites and ammonia as the can quickly undo any progress that has been made. If need be stop feeding the fish. Feed every 2-3 days as fish waste is the primary source of ammonia and its follower nitrites.
I don't know if you're already doing so but when doing partial water changes it's beneficial to use a gravel vac as you can siphon out/clean the gravel whilst taking out water at the same time.
In case you're not aware what a gravel vac looks like listed below is a link which will take you to a page that will show one. They come in various sizes.
Keep up the good work!
Ric--
http://www.aquariumguys.com/gravelcleaner1.html
I use one of those Eheim Sludge remover vacs. I just bought a new one as I was afraid to use the other one that had been shared. I vacuum the tank about once a week and clean the sides of the tanks. I check the water chemistry on all out tanks at least once a week--more often if anything is the slightest bit elevated! I should own stock in the test strip industry!!
Thanks again for all your help.
The sludge removing vacs are great and your maintainance routine of cleaning once a week is excellent.
Good luck!
Experience: OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE W/TROPICAL FISH---BREEDING, MAINTAINING, CURING