Nicole Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) I had a guppy that developed a bent spine and apparently died. I have a heavily planted tank, so it is sometimes hard to find a body. Then I noticed another fish had died. I saw its remains, but by the time I got off work to remove them, they were gone, probably eaten by the others as well as my shrimp and snails. Now a White Cloud Mountain minnow is showing the same signs, curved spine, wasting, loss of color. I am now pretty sure this is fish tuberculosis, and I am a little freaked out to work in the tank. I’m heartbroken, because it has taken me years to get this tank in beautiful shape with thriving plants and very little algae, but do you think this means I have to take the tank down. Is it even worth the risk to my health to set it all up again? I just don’t know. Edited March 10, 2022 by Nicole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry the fish keeper Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 (edited) Did you test you water? Edited March 10, 2022 by Henry Li Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 How do you test water for TB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henry the fish keeper Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 I usually test the water using test strips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 Oh, ok, you’re talking regular water test. I test weekly, sometimes more with the Aquarium Co-Op test strips. 50 ppm Nitrate 0 Nitrite GH 200 PPM KH 40 PH 7.0 0 Chlorine I do a 50% water change weekly, and I’m due for one. I like to keep the Nitrates about 40-50. The tank has been up and running for several years in its current state. The only new thing is that about 4 months ago, I removed an overgrown Amazon Sword and put in some new driftwood that I covered with Christmas Moss. Thanks for any advice, Nicole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 Bent spine can be caused by nitrate poisoning have your nitrates been higher then 50ppm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 I did have a spike about 7 days ago, so I did a big water change and backed off on how much Easy Green and iron I was dosing. I noticed an increase in algae around the time of the spike too. Maybe it just go too high for too long. I didn’t realize anything but TB could cause the curved spine, but wow if nitrates are the only issue, that would be amazing. Totally fixable. Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 (edited) On 3/11/2022 at 1:36 AM, Nicole said: I did have a spike about 7 days ago, so I did a big water change and backed off on how much Easy Green and iron I was dosing. I noticed an increase in algae around the time of the spike too. Maybe it just go too high for too long. I didn’t realize anything but TB could cause the curved spine, but wow if nitrates are the only issue, that would be amazing. Totally fixable. Thank you so much. I would try and get your nitrates lower than 40ppm you can also get bent spine's in guppies due to lack of minerals and scoliosis due to bad genetics your kH is on the low side for guppies they like 70-140ppm I would add some crushed coral to gradually increase your kH and monitor them for now Edited March 11, 2022 by Colu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 Yep, you are totally right about the KH. I have added crushed coral but it doesn’t seem the last long. I also add a large wonder shell and replace it when it runs out. The thing about our water here is that according to the LFS, it’s rock hard with lots of magnesium, but it’s actually low on calcium. Even if it was TB, it seems like it’s really had to get from changing the water. I’ve been keeping fish for years without any issues. But just to be extra careful, I’ll wear gloves until I stop losing fish. Thank you so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted March 11, 2022 Share Posted March 11, 2022 On 3/11/2022 at 1:53 AM, Nicole said: Yep, you are totally right about the KH. I have added crushed coral but it doesn’t seem the last long. I also add a large wonder shell and replace it when it runs out. The thing about our water here is that according to the LFS, it’s rock hard with lots of magnesium, but it’s actually low on calcium. I usually add a media bag to my filter with crushed coral you do have to top it up as it desolves over time you can also so mix it into your substrate as well to help raise your kH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 11, 2022 Author Share Posted March 11, 2022 Good idea on the filter media bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 12, 2022 Author Share Posted March 12, 2022 After a 50% water change, my nitrates are down to 10 ppm. My other parameters are the same. 0 Nitrite GH 200 PPM KH 40 PH 7.0 0 Chlorine I see two more fish who know appear to be dying. Just to be on the safe side, I checked, and I’m not gassing the fish with my CO2. Im doing two drops per second, which is the lowest I can go and still have my drop checker fluid turn green about two hours after the lights come on. Hopefully these are the last two fish I lose. I’ll be backing down my fertilizer and iron this week to keep the nitrates at about 20 ppm max and see how the rest of the fish do. Nicole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted March 12, 2022 Share Posted March 12, 2022 It could still due to lack of minerals I think getting your kH up will solve most of the problems your fish are having now you have your have gotten your nitrates down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 13, 2022 Author Share Posted March 13, 2022 I think you are correct. I’ve got more crushed coral on the way. Nicole Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 17, 2022 Author Share Posted March 17, 2022 Did another 50% water change. Added the crushed coral. KH is up to 80, and PH is between 7.0 and 7.5. Nitrates are at 20 ppm. The fish seem less stressed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicole Posted March 30, 2022 Author Share Posted March 30, 2022 Well folks, the good news is that my fish have stopped dying, which is the most important thing. But now that I’ve back off on the Easy Green to keep my nitrates at 20 or less, I think algae is attacking my Christmas moss. It’s hard to see in these photos, but I’m guessing this grayish stuff is algae. It’s just a new kind I haven’t experience before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colu Posted March 30, 2022 Share Posted March 30, 2022 You could start dosing some of the co-op easy carbon to help reduce your algae Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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