Basslet Died

[wesnestor]

Question: Added pods to the tank and two days later had ammonia spike, not bad, maybe .5 - 1.0 PPM and right after, within 2 days, by gramma basslet started swimming weird, then died. I can find no ICH or other issues on her and cannot think that the level of ammonia was dangerous. I immediately did about a 25% water change and the ammonia was neglible afer that.

I put the pods in the tank after dark but noticed the basslett and my pygmy angel chasing them around the tank and eating them. Would that have hurt my fish?

 

[Crustaceon]

Sounds like your tank isn’t completely cycled as you really shouldn’t see any ammonia at any time after cycling. Just my opinion.

 

[wesnestor]

Thanks. It is the first time since adding livestock I have seen a spike in ammonia. I have had two small clowns, the basslet and a pygmy angel in there for several months. Have 2 turban snails and 5 hermits also. I test my water 2x a week and it has been really clean.

 

[Crustaceon]

Thanks. It is the first time since adding livestock I have seen a spike in ammonia. I have had two small clowns, the basslet and a pygmy angel in there for several months. Have 2 turban snails and 5 hermits also. I test my water 2x a week and it has been really clean.

Just to be safe, I’d dose a little beneficial bacteria every few days and avoid doing a water change for a month. Sometimes you can get your tank “too clean” right off the bat and that can inhibit the maturation of a tank.

 

[Bossman]

When you added the pods, did you dump the water that came with them in the tank too?

 

[40g Nano]

How do you not?

 

[Bossman]

How do you not?

Use a net or cheesecloth to filter the pods out. Dump the bagged water. It's full of ammonia and waste.

 

[40g Nano]

you learn something new every day

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not an ideal first fish especially with a tank that will experience chemistry changes the first few weeks.
Can you disclose your tank parameter readings, age, type of water used and type of test kits you are using ?

 

[Bossman]

you learn something new every day

I hear you! I've been keeping tanks for just about 3 years. And I know I still have a lot to learn.