Any explanation?? 3 Bala's dead

[supersmirky]

Okay, came home from work and had 3 bala sharks dead. 1 very large Bala at 10" and 2 smaller ones at about 7-8". That left me with 1 big and 1 small still alive.

Only thing I have done different is sell my Silver Dollars to Joey. Water tested at Petco and all parameters are good. They had no explanation.

Anybody have a clue why 3 Bala's would mysteriously die??

[poel_19]

water temp??

[supersmirky]

Been at a constant 80 degrees. Rena smartfilter has kept the temp pretty even

[poel_19]

waterchange??

[supersmirky]

Did a 20% yesterday. Tank is 140 gallons. 50% WC last week and 25% the week before that.

[tsunderl]

Not to sound bad, but did you remember to condition the water before adding it to the tank?

From what I'm reading, bala sharks are very hardy. The one thing I do keep running into is how they can get up pretty good speed and literally crash in to the side of the tank. Could this be the case?

In any case, you're not alone. A Google search turned up many who have the same issue you're experiencing. Sorry for your losses. Keep us informed.

[supersmirky]

Yes, I added conditioner. They have never had the issue with any other water change but in any case, they could have rammed into the tank. I had an Oscar kill himself that way a long time ago. Given water params are excellent, I can only attribute it to suicide.

[bra8ndy8]

sorry about the loss.......it looks like u did everything right.

[Misty]

Other than maybe their ages, I have no idea. How old were they?

That sucks though...sorry for your loss!:(

[lellison]

wow, that is strange since everything water related seems fine. Sorry to hear about that :( I have no idea other than what has been said

[biggin]

I did about a 20% water change on my fry tank and killed all of them.

I noticed it this morning. I think around big rains they add more chlorine/chlormine(sp) to the water that is what I am going to attribute the deaths of my fry to....

[tsunderl]

Blake, were these the babies in the tank under your 180??? http://www.pushupstairs.com/images/emoticon/extra3/cry.gif That sucks!!!

[biggin]

Yup same babies.

Went to feed them this morning and they were all dead. Did the water change last night around 7ish. Checked the water and everything was fine. I was expecting to see the ammonia to be high with all the dead fish but it was 0.

I had not lost a single one up till then. I have to believe it was something in the water.

[tsunderl]

Aww, I'm sad. Those little guys were so cute! I think you're right about water changing when there's been significant rainfall. I recall this happening a few months ago to others. Sucks.

[AndrewH]

Yeah, I'm definitely leaning towards tap water changes after a rain fall.

Typically, we're only pre-treating the water for the chlorine/chlordamine and not anything else that might be there which we're completely unaware. Who knows what else they treat the water with before, during, or after a rain fall. Not to mention the added chemicals that can enter the water system from the runoff (winter lawn ferts, extra nitrogen since the terrestrial plants aren't using it in the winter time, etc.).

I would definitely recommend a call to the local water department to see if they've changed what they add to the water since the last rain fall and to get a full detailed list of what they use and the amounts (which are all public records).

Just my $0.02 worth.

[supersmirky]

wow...didn't think about that. My weaker fish such as Rams and Gourami's lived....just weird the hardy balas would bite the dust.

Sorry about your fry Blake. That really sucks. I guess I will not be doing water changes after rainfalls. hmmmphhh

[biggin]

I think it just affects fish differently.

Who knows.

[Misty]

Blake that sucks! Sorry for your loss too!

[biggin]

No biggie... I have holding females on both accounts again....I guess I will try again.

Kinda cool watching the Pseudotropheus saulosi do their thing....the females loose the bright yellow and get stripes....

http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc310/findme5x5/180g%20Progress/2008_02_18_Female_Show_02.jpg
http://www.dfwfishbox.com/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc310/findme5x5/180g%20Progress/2008_02_18_Female_Show_02.jpg%5B/IMG%5D

[fishyjoe24]

i have some small ones. if your looking for some. they're hardy fish but don't like hard water. what was your GH reading?

[Misty]

Very cool indeed! Babies are fun...

Jeez, all these different names are confusing me, lol...I wonder if that's what we have. It looks just like one of the yellow ones we have but the other yellow has a purple suit on now and they are the same kind of fish.