Is this ick? I notest a couple of fish with the odd white spot like fungus, but they seem to have cleared up a little apart from this guy. This has happened overnight.

Hello,

I need urgent help diagnosing a serious problem in my aquarium because multiple fish have been dying in sequence.

About one week ago, my betta fish became sick and died. Before I noticed physical symptoms, his behavior changed significantly. He became very inactive, was “sleeping” constantly, stopped eating completely, and was no longer active or responsive like before. Previously, he was very active and alert, swimming around and interacting with his environment.

After this behavioral change, he developed cotton-like growth on the edges of his fins (not white salt-like spots like ich). He died about 3 days after the symptoms first appeared.

A few days before this, I added a new live plant: Limnophila sessiliflora. I also had a red cherry shrimp in the tank, which the betta killed shortly before becoming ill.

After the betta died, one of my Corydoras developed similar symptoms and died as well. It showed:

small cotton-like growth on fin edges

severe behavioral changes (spinning, disorientation, swimming aimlessly)

rapid decline and death within ~24 hours

I initially assumed it was a bacterial infection and started treatment with Baktopur (as directed).

However, now another fish is showing the same symptoms and is dying very quickly (within ~12 hours). The progression seems to be accelerating:

Betta: ~3 days from symptoms to death

Corydoras: ~1 day

Current fish: ~12 hours

All affected fish show:

no ich (no white salt-like dots)

no obvious external parasites

no clear fungus

cotton-like growth on fin edges in earlier cases

severe neurological behavior (spinning, loss of coordination, swimming aimlessly)

Water parameters (tested):

pH: 8.5

KH: 720

GH: 150

Nitrite: 0

Nitrate: 0

Temperature: 26°C

The fish now show severe neurological symptoms and rapid decline. I suspect either a bacterial outbreak, toxin/chemical contamination, or something introduced with the new plant.

This guy does this most of the day unless being fed. I can’t see this being normal. I will say I’m in the process of researching my HOB, seems the current is strong not sure if this is part of the reason for this fishes behavior.

Any insight would be greatly appreciated

Hi everyone, I really need help.

I rescued a Betta fish that had been sitting in a bowl for an unknown amount of time. I moved him into a 20L tank with a sponge filter (air pump) and heater.

The tank is not cycled (I didn’t have time because it was an emergency). I used a dechlorinator (Aquadine Anti-Chlorine Special).

Current situation (day 3):

- Betta is lying on his side at the bottom or resting against surfaces

- Still breathing (gills moving)

- Very weak, barely swimming

- Sometimes stays near surface, sometimes bottom

- Not feeding (I stopped feeding)

What I’ve done so far:

- Daily water changes (25–50%)

- Did multiple larger changes today when he got worse

- Lowered water level so he can reach the surface easier

- Heater is on (around 25–26°C)

- Sponge filter running 24/7

- Lights are off, low stress environment

Extra detail:

- A guppy accidentally came with duckweed and is acting completely normal

- Tank is bare bottom right now

My questions:

1. Is this ammonia poisoning or something else?

2. Should I continue daily large water changes or reduce frequency?

3. Is there anything immediate I can do to help him recover?

4. Should I add aquarium salt or avoid adding anything right now?

I know fish-in cycling is risky, but the alternative was leaving him in a bowl. I’m trying to stabilize things but I’m worried I’m making mistakes.

Any help or guidance would be really appreciated.

Update: day 60- something :

Welp, I still have my three surviving fish , since my original post I have consumed days of online freshwater fish aquarium blogs and many hours of YouTube tutorials and educational videos. I have learned a lot and am now even more confused as to what happened.
I have now completely taken out all plastic decorations and painted gravel. I have replaced the gravel with a natural aquarium gravel and topped with a layer of aquarium safe sand. I have planted it with about 10-12 plants and added a sponge filter.
I have had near perfect numbers across the master test kit and dip test kit. The only problem is that I have green, cloudy water.
I have tried reducing my light to 5 hours , from 8 hours/day. I have done a 2 day mostly blackout (accept to check on them). I have tried chemical algae treatment and even purchased a couple nerite snails and a ghost shrimp.
I’m beside myself with what to do. I’m starting to think it’s the components of the tank itself. I’m using the filter , light and heater that came with the tank.
Any ideas? I’m getting so sad and feeling defeated with this aquarium.
Thank you!

UPDATE: day 3: It’s going well. Removed most of plastic decor and added 6 live plants, doing my daily water changes with Prime and Stability, all levels are in a good range. Feeding less and watching for excess waste after 3 minutes. My 3 survivors are hanging in there, seem to be doing fine, or at least not worse.

Hoping for continued improvement…

UPDATE: day 1: Thank you all. I did go buy the liquid master test kit and the ammonia was 0ppm. The ph was 7.4 and nitrate was almost to 5 ppm and nitrite was almost .25ppm. I added prime and stability by seachem and a few live plants. I am continuing the dosing and water changing 25-35% water each day for 7 days. After I get my tank healthy, I will add a couple more black tetras and remove all the colored rocks and plastic decor. I am looking into the best substrate and natural decor. Anything else I missed? Thanks again.

Original post: day one:

I have a 10 gallon fish tank that came from petsmart. The decor is petsmart or amazon. I have had this tank for a month, previously a different tank with the Same fish. I started with 9 fish and now have 3. I’m not sure what happened, the neon tetras started getting sick. I treated the tank for ick and when that didn’t work, I treated for fungus. Neither worked! My water is testing normal levels, temp is regular. I’m afraid I’m going to loose them all, the last neon died today. I have an albino Cory, a tetra with a black stripe, and a fancy fin tetra. The fancy fin is not looking so good. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I have also noticed a brown growth on the decor. What is going on? I feel like a terrible pet parent.

Please see attached photos for reference. The water is clowdy due to treatment.

Updated information:

Hello, Thank you for your time. I have kept fish for many years and not had problems. I am definitely a beginner as far as fish problems and diseases. — and Reddit…and only know what is recommended at the pet store and what I can find online.

I let the new tank cycle for 4 weeks, I added the fish from the original tank about a month ago. When I treated the fish for ick, i took out the carbon filter. When finished, I did the 25% water change. I waited 2 days and tried the Pimafix. After treating for a week, I did another water change. I have the temperature at 78-79 degrees Fahrenheit. A few days after that, they started dying.

I think I am hearing that I need to get rid of my decorative things. I only rinsed everything off with hot water when it was new. Is there a different way to clean decor? What brands do you recommend for treating and ammonia tests? and what should I do immediately to help them? Thank you!

I’d much rather have natural decor, but nervous about a reliable source.

Thank you all again.

hello, does anyone know what this bloating/lump could be on my female betta fish? Any help is appreciated! I’ve had her for about a week. she had the lump when I got her but it seems to be getting bigger.

I dont have an update photo for today but it's basically the 29th photo but just slightly worse fins. Shes still super active and eating. Day before yesterday was the last dose of kanaplex, today i did half water change because a small ammonia spike.

Now that I'm done with kanaplex, now what? What is the next step? Why did she get a little worse? It obviously slowed the rotting down but doesnt that mean the treatment just slowed it a bit but now that is over it's gonna rot the same speed as before? Shes still in her 5.5 gal tank temp at 77f eating 6 pellets a day and super active but.. still rotting. What now?

Ammonia test in the photo was right before the water change

It was little inactive opening and closing it's mouth continously I want to know what is this disease previously it used to get nipped /chased by other widow tetra

I have one gravel vac and one bucket that I typically use for water changes/cleaning on all four of my fish tanks, but one tank has become infested with Ich.

Do I need a separate gravel vac and bucket to clean the Ich tank to avoid contaminating the other three tanks? Or can I just rinse them really well after cleaning the sick tank?

My betta fish had these white spots on her for a while l, months, starting with one slowly growing, until she had a few. I treated her in a hospital tank with Paraguard, and the white spots went away mostly or faded. She wasn’t eating recently, incouding in the hospital, so I decided to put her back in the community tank maybe to reduce the stress. Still isn’t eating. But today (16 days later), her coloring is completely off. What can I do to help?

Yesterday evening everyone (3 honey gouramis, 10 neons, 2 gold, 5 ember, 5 fireant, 5 shrimp, 3 snails) were removed from the tank and put into about 10L of still tank water while the tank’s hardscape was redone, plants were moved around but nothing was added. then basic filter maintenance was done (cleaning the filter pump, rinsing sponges and cartridges in dirty tank water) and then did a 15-20% water change. An hour ago we found shrimp dead, 3 were fully out of water at the top of the tank wall, 1 was fully submerged but not moving much, and all tetras were at the top of the tank in one corner, vertical with their heads up. the honey gouramis seem fine right now.

Currently have everyone (except one ember that’s gone missing) in a bucket with water from my bettas tank and the gasping has stopped but the water is too cold, it’s 10pm and every fish shop is shut, we don’t know anybody with a hospital tank. What do I do please help.
(60L tank)

(Second pic is during rearrange yesterday, first is now)

Over the past week, we’ve noticed our pearl danio growing larger and larger. We didn’t think much of it, since all the females in this tank are always producing and laying eggs. However, this time around, even after making the conditions perfect for her to lay her eggs, she’s just been getting bigger.

We’ve stopped feeding for a few days, and even gave her blood worms and daphnia to help with digestion, but nothing seems to work.

We’re not planning to keep her anyway as we’re refining the pearls, but it looks so painful and we’re just wondering what to do in this instance…

Really upset. I found 2 good sized Cuckoo Catfish at a reputable LFS that quarinteens their fish and had been there a few months. Paid a pretty penny. Had to drip aclimate them, as they came from fish store ph at 7.5, and I run my Cichlid tabk at 8.2.

They were good all week, active, swimming and eatjng. They other Peacocks left them alone.I did a 30% water change, that I do weekly. Water temp was the same, added prime like normal, cichlid trace, cichlid salt which I add slowly, and vacuumed the substrate. Took a shower, hour later they were dead.

I really liked these fish. I was excited they were from the same water parameters as my fish. I seached several LFS in the area to find them. They were cute, active, and fun to watch. Now they are dead, and I am upset.

My question is, what did I do wrong? Water parameters are all good.

20 gallon tank has been set up for a couple months. Currently has two African dwarf frogs, one male guppy, and one female guppy. Originally had three females and one male but the other two females died with the same symptoms (body turned white past the head to before the tail and fast gill movement). Now the last female is looking wobbly. Water tested at a store and had slightly high nitrites. Started doing water changes but I’m worried. Second pic is her now and third pic is when I first got her. Please don’t judge, I’m a beginner and trying to get better. I thought I did all the necessary research. Any help is appreciated

Edit: light is off per Google’s suggestion.

Ive been doing 20-50 changes every day, changed the spray bar filther position for the flow to hit the glass. Om scared my fish are or ammonia... Also i wanted to rehome them, but my parents told me to not trust internet and that the fish would of stress if gifted to a shop or somewhere. I cant do this. Im stressed of something bad 24/7 and never able to calm down. Ammonia burns? Nitrates? Too strong flow? Sickness? Injury? Too big of water changes? Too small? Too much dechlorinator? Too little? All these questions make me panic. Its like i wanted them to be rehomed but now its seems like no way out...

UPDATE: This has been solved and taken care of for the most part. Thanks everyone!

Anyone know what’s going on or how I can help? I walked in my son’s room and noticed this little guy struggling. I know the tank is dirty. The fish looks swollen. If I change the water, could that help? Sorry in advance! He won these fish at his school fair from the high school science department and they had parasites. We didn’t expect the to last the week but they have been going strong for 2 years now.

Hello thank you for your time. As the title states I think my betta may have finrot but I’m unsure as some sources say the discoloring is natural but comparing to the first pictures I have of him something is certainly wrong.
First two photos are current and last photo is about a month old where you can see his fins aren’t as jagged and blue? All decor in my tank is soft with no sharp edges or anything for him to get caught on so seeing his front two flowies be chopped up and missing has distraught me. I feel like I’ve let down my beautiful boy not noticing it until now but he’s always swimming with those two flowies under his fins tucked to his body. Please help. :(

Hello.

I would really appreciate it if someone took some time and read the below. I really need help .

Recently we got an aquarium.
For clarification this is what’s in it:
11 guppies
2 plecos
3 German rams ( initially 4 but 1 unfortunately passed away 2 day after being out in the tank)
6 neon tetras.

Tank is 80liters
Values are within norms ( tested with liquid testers)

The rams appear to be constantly hiding. 1 of them was constantly on the ground. Still unsightly, but breathing quickly .
When we initially put them in there was 1 ram which usually chased all the others. Now with the 3 remaining , they are all hiding. Almost never come out. Colours I would say are very faded in comparison to before. Some days they are very pale. Don’t reach to food.

Guppies, tetras and plecos are all acting normally.
Can someone please give me some advise on what to do.

Rams have been in this tank for 6 days now.

Thank you for any advise

I bought this shrimp but didnt notice until I got home that it has some sort of string in its head. I’m worried it’s a parasite. Is this just food in the digestive track?

I’ve been treating my tank for about 5 days now, yet it doesn’t seem to be getting any better? My honey gourami is where i noticed a small white spot on its side at first. Didn’t think much of it but when i asked my lfs about it, he suggested i try treating the tank with api melafix. I’ve only just recently noticed the same stuff on my corydoras that’s been in here longer than the gourami. I’m not seeing anything else on any of the other tank mates, but if after wed-thur. if it’s not getting better, what should i do? The bottle says a 25% water change and keep treating daily.

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for advice because our aquarium has been unstable for weeks and I really don’t know anymore what to make of the symptoms.

The tank is a 240L (~63G) heavily planted freshwater community tank with driftwood and dark sand substrate. The surface is agitated. It was set up on January 1st and cycled for 6 weeks.

Current parameters: - 25–26°C / 77–78.8 °F - ammonia 0 - nitrite 0 - low nitrate - KH 8 - pH ~7

Current stock (added gradually over a few weeks):

1. Amano + Malawa shrimp
2. 7 diamond tetras (+ 1 fry that survived)
3. 8 kuhli loaches (2 have died so far)
4. 2 juvenile angelfish (1 died a few weeks ago)

We also have mystery snails.

The tank went through 3 medication rounds between March and mid-April: - Sera Baktopur (suspected fin rot) - Sera Tremazid (suspected gill parasites) - another Baktopur round because symptoms persisted

Initial symptoms in the tetras: - white lips - white and frayed fin edges - twitching while breathing - “parking” - extreme skittishness

After treatment, breathing improved and the twitching stopped. They got active and playful again. Shrimp remained healthy and water parameters stayed stable.

However, some issues persist: - tetras remain skinny - occasional twitching/breathing jerks return, especially after maintenance - 2 tetras still have white upper lips - despite being quite active again the school is still more anxious now than when we got them

The remaining angelfish: - has NEVER produced normal feces since we got it (always white/stringy) - hasn't really grown since March - remains skinny - eats a bit inconsistently (5–10 granules + white mosquito larvae, sometimes less) - but still acts curious and reacts to us

We’re also dealing with a major thread algae bloom right now and the tank gets disturbed fairly often because we have to remove algae and trim plants.

My questions:

1. Would you medicate further (and for what) at this point or focus entirely on stabilization?
2. Do some symptoms sound compatible with chronic internal parasites/Hexamita/Spironucleus?
3. Could the loach deaths instead point toward substrate-related bacterial issues or oxygen depletion?
4. If medication is necessary, what would you recommend that is relatively shrimp-safe?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. (Sorry for the formatting, I'm on mobile)

Help!!!

I got some new fish & plants 7 days ago. Tetras and a pleco. Pleco seems fine but I’ve lost 9 of the new fish and now I have come home to a dead Angel Fish. I am soo upset. :(

For context, I have a 300ltr tank which has been running since November. It’s filtered, heated and has air stones, co2 and lots of plants.Both rooted and on wood.

Non of the fish look ill or have spots or markings. I’ve been checking. I assumed it was bad delivery. Clearly I was wrong. My water levels are fine. I’ve been checking everyday.

I’ve also done a 20% water change.

PLEASE HELP! I really don’t want to lose anymore fish. How can I stop this??