Please Help! Fish Dying

[AUSXMD]

Might help to post numbers on all parameters -- salinity/SG, temp, whatever else you have -- and note how you measure those params.

With a pH that low (whether or not it is test error), I'd open some windows and start aerating the tank ASAP.

Salt is 1.026, temp 78, alk 6.5, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10, ph unknown - below 7. Yesterday I ordered seachem ph buffer. It just arrived. I've been told yes use it now and absolutely not, so IDK. There is no issue with air quality. The aquarium isn't far from the patio door that's almost always open. Hvac guy was here last week and everything tested normal. The tail fin of the fish now looks like it's fraying, but it could be from it hiding in the rocks all the time. It's been swimming a bit more than laying on it's side. I was close to euthanizing it, but I'll wait to see what you guys say. Another forum told me it has uronema or brook. What I don't understand is why the only fish not affected are clowns.

 

[Dburr1014]

Original op says the PB Tang just died and there's two other clowns.

This fish appears to be victim of aggression, possibly another angel and shows what looks like bite marks
What other fish are in tank?

 

[Dburr1014]

Salt is 1.026, temp 78, alk 6.5, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 5-10, ph unknown - below 7. Yesterday I ordered seachem ph buffer. It just arrived. I've been told yes use it now and absolutely not, so IDK. There is no issue with air quality. The aquarium isn't far from the patio door that's almost always open. Hvac guy was here last week and everything tested normal. The tail fin of the fish now looks like it's fraying, but it could be from it hiding in the rocks all the time. It's been swimming a bit more than laying on it's side. I was close to euthanizing it, but I'll wait to see what you guys say. Another forum told me it has uronema or brook. What I don't understand is why the only fish not affected are clowns.

Clowns have a nice thick slime coat and can fight off things a little bit better than other fish.

 

[AUSXMD]

Clowns have a nice thick slime coat and can fight off things a little bit better than other fish.

 

[AUSXMD]

Clowns have a nice thick slime coat and can fight off things a little bit better than other fish.

What do you think about the ph buffer?

 

[Dburr1014]

What do you think about the ph buffer?

I would not use it.
I think you have test error.

 

[AUSXMD]

I would not use it.
I think you have test error.

Ok. I'll take a water sample to my lfs tomorrow since they're closed today. Thanks for your help!

 

[vetteguy53081]

What do you think about the ph buffer?

I don’t favor buffers which are often alternatives and not solutions and can affect all levels
How are you testing water levels?
Pics are a little blurry but what is age of tank?
This message is broken up as I traveling by air and getting bits and pieces of posting

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi. I don't know if this is the correct forum for this. I have a 230 gallon fowlr that has been up since January. I have 2 clowns that are fine, a pb tang that died very suddenly 2 days ago - I walked by and it was swimming normally and walked by again a minute later and it was dead, and a queen angel that has been actively dying over the past 2 days but still alive. I checked my params. Everything was normal except for some reason my ph was unmeasurable on the low side. Must be 6 something. I did a 30% water change with no affect on the angel or ph. I have ph buffer being delivered today. I tried raising it with baking soda to no avail. The only thing that's changed in the past week or so is that I no longer have algae growing on glass - there is literally nothing to clean(is that normal?), I've added pods to my fuge, and microbacter7. CUC is fine. I've had a slight diatom issue and what I think was/is black cyano I used chemiclean on a 3 weeks ago. It did not totally get rid of it, and I suctioned the rest out. Do you think this is a PH issue only or could something else be going on? Why would my clowns be unaffected? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Attached are pics of tge black stuff before I suctioned it, the angel and clowns.

I am able to open entire message now
I see raised scales and the hemorrhaging and can again be bite marks or skin irritation from flukes causing it to scratch
Have you noticed increased respiration, sudden darting, occasional itch against objects and similar lethargic behaviors?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi. I don't know if this is the correct forum for this. I have a 230 gallon fowlr that has been up since January. I have 2 clowns that are fine, a pb tang that died very suddenly 2 days ago - I walked by and it was swimming normally and walked by again a minute later and it was dead, and a queen angel that has been actively dying over the past 2 days but still alive. I checked my params. Everything was normal except for some reason my ph was unmeasurable on the low side. Must be 6 something. I did a 30% water change with no affect on the angel or ph. I have ph buffer being delivered today. I tried raising it with baking soda to no avail. The only thing that's changed in the past week or so is that I no longer have algae growing on glass - there is literally nothing to clean(is that normal?), I've added pods to my fuge, and microbacter7. CUC is fine. I've had a slight diatom issue and what I think was/is black cyano I used chemiclean on a 3 weeks ago. It did not totally get rid of it, and I suctioned the rest out. Do you think this is a PH issue only or could something else be going on? Why would my clowns be unaffected? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Attached are pics of tge black stuff before I suctioned it, the angel and clowns.

Can you post a clear video of the angel? This is clearly an infection, and probably related (same reason) to the PBT dying.
The differential diagnosis in relative order of possibility are: velvet, flukes, primary bacterial infection or advanced ich. For it to be ich, you would have to have missed the spot phase.

 

[AUSXMD]

I don’t favor buffers which are often alternatives and not solutions and can affect all levels
How are you testing water levels?
Pics are a little blurry but what is age of tank?
This message is broken up as I traveling by air and getting bits and pieces of posting

I am using a new Red Sea test kit. The tank is 6 months old. I was told to add the buffer and the PH is now 8.2. But if it is not a long term solution I'm not sure what is, or what caused the sudden drop? The angel has left the rocks and is sort of just sitting in place. Looking a bit better than before laying down, but I'm not optimistic about its survival yet. Thanks for responding during travel!

 

[vetteguy53081]

I am using a new Red Sea test kit. The tank is 6 months old. I was told to add the buffer and the PH is now 8.2. But if it is not a long term solution I'm not sure what is, or what caused the sudden drop? The angel has left the rocks and is sort of just sitting in place. Looking a bit better than before laying down, but I'm not optimistic about its survival yet. Thanks for responding during travel!

Often, it can stem from accumulation of CO2 in your house, photosynthesis and low alk and use of organic carbon

 

[AUSXMD]

Often, it can stem from accumulation of CO2 in your house, photosynthesis and low alk and use of organic carbon

I do use carbon. Maybe I'll remove that. Hvac guy was here last week andxtested CO2 and it was fine. Thanks for your input!

 

[Malum Argenteum]

'Organic carbon' ≠ 'activated carbon'. Sounds like there might be some confusion on this, since a person might stop dosing organic carbon, but not 'remove' it.

 

[AUSXMD]

'Organic carbon' ≠ 'activated carbon'. Sounds like there might be some confusion on this, since a person might stop dosing organic carbon, but not 'remove' it.

Oh yeah. I have activated carbon in my sump.