Sudden Deaths

[kenmacWLAS]

I have had a recent spate of sudden deaths with Psuedomugil Furcatas [yellow forked Australian rainbow] over the last few days...especially females. They  tend to start to become listless and gulp air, with rapid gill movements...(not air hunger) and swim erratically(?swim bladder) finally secumbing to death within an hour or so.
The water parameters have been tested and are all within their respective measurements for the species. They are also housed with other delicate species and which have not had similar problems. they are housed in a 160 ltr tank; I was also at other friends when they have reported  similar occurrences......
Luckily I managed to Breed them and look forward to raising the fry. However if anyone can shed some light on the matter, it would be much appreciated, many
thanks,
Ken

[catxx]

if nearby friends are reporting similar problems, is it the same species they've had problems with? related animals?

I would suspect one of the following:
a) genetic deformity problems
b) problem with your local water supply causing erratic behaviour, test the water out the tap and check local papers/local water board to see if there have been any problems like leaks or broken pipes recently.

[jourdy288]

What kind of filtration do you use for your water?

[kenmacWLAS]

Thanks for the time to reply.....
It could well be that they are from one stock and that there is a genetic link to the problem.
I test my water conditions frequently and are as follows:
NO3 <25; NO2 0; GH >5'd; KH 0'd; PH6.7
The filtration is external and is a Rena Filstar XP suitable for 200 ltrs
No other species are being affected and the tank houses the following:
Psuedomugil Furcatas, Celestichtys Margaritatus; Girardinus Metallicus; Micropocelia Picta (Wild);Corydoras Pygmaeus; Corydoras Schultzei; Heterandria Formosa (Gold form); Coffertail Snakeskin Guppies; Ottocinclus vittatus, Wild Goby unknown (Tobago);
Borarras Uropthalmoides.

[catxx]

nice mix. anyway, I think my leaning would be towards a genetic problem in that case, especially with so many sensitive fish housed with them suffering no ill effects. try isolating furcatas in another tank, if anything to stop predation from tankmates on dead fish, just in case it is something transferable only by physical contact/eating the body.

fingers crossed with the fry that they don't have the same problem. with more unusual fish it's often the same batch that may have been shipped. maybe see if you can get hold of more from a confirmed source out of the area and in future mix with any surviving fry, if it is genetic maybe you can try and breed it out?

[kenmacWLAS]

Thanks Catxx, when I get the rest of the tanks setup , will re-house Furcatus. On the look out for further species of the genus also.
I tend to go for some of the more unusual species around if I can get hold of them; especially interested in some of the endangered species for proliferation projects if available.
I was asking about getting some tank bred Elassoma Evergladei.... from Germany from some of my aquarist friends. Still waiting to find out if any available.
Anyhow thank you again,

Ken

[quatermass]

I have had a recent spate of sudden deaths with Psuedomugil Furcatas [yellow forked Australian rainbow] over the last few days...especially females. They  tend to start to become listless and gulp air, with rapid gill movements...(not air hunger) and swim erratically(?swim bladder) finally succumbing to death within an hour or so.

Sounds like a typical Aeromonas infection.

Interpet's No.9 internal bacteria treatment works if it's this.

[davie.w.l.a.s]

hi ken if you can get Elassoma Evergladei go for it  i seen them go for £10 .00  then i can get some fry off you  oh sorry for your lost hope you get them fry up

[lowel]

             I think the main cause of this problem is the filtration.





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Thermostat

[quatermass]

Thanks for the time to reply.....
It could well be that they are from one stock and that there is a genetic link to the problem.
I test my water conditions frequently and are as follows:
NO3 <25; NO2 0; GH >5'd; KH 0'd; PH6.7

Ahh I didn't notice the KH level before. Sorry.

Your KH is zero. That is deadly to aquatic life. You've listed all the major signs of typical pH shock. Listlessness, stress. Did you notice if the fish have extra shiny slime coating or a white/grey look perhaps?

The amount of swiftly changing pH affects each species in different amounts. So it often seems to affects one particular species.

Look up AquariumWiki on low KH here.

Most of Livingston and Bathgate seems to have tap water with zero KH. It's a side-effect of our otherwise excellent tap water. Makes good Whiskey too.

Easy to rectify though, just add a little bicarbonate of soda into the water to bump up the KH.