Feeling dumb and defeated

[TeamPisces]

I really screwed up. I had 15 4in peacocks for exception of the boss fish in a 55 gallon tank. I got them at the beginning of this past September. Well, I am down to two fish. Where did I go wrong failure? I failed to quarantine. They were the only fish in my 55. I had a seeded sponge, but ick came and did major damage. I honestly had never seen ick before in any of my past fish. By the time I realized that it might be ick, it was too late. I am hoping these two survive. I did a water change yesterday of about 50%. I came home tested the water Ammonia was 0ppm and nitrites were .25ppm. I did another 50% water change and everything is back to 0ppm and nitrates are between 5 and 10ppm. PH appears to be 8.0 and the temp is holding at 80 degrees. I treated for with super ick cure and slowly raised temp up, but I just could not do anything. I mad at myself because the whole ordeal was preventable to a great degree, but I am just impatient at times. Should these two fish survive, I will be very thankful. While I have this size tank, I do not plan to have any more than 8 fish whose adult size does not exceed more than 7 inches. I am currently running 2 Aquaclear 110 filters and a sponge filter along with 2 koralia wave makers at opposite ends of the tank. I am also using Seachem Stability to strengthen or build up the beneficial bacteria.

 

[F8LBITE]

That suck man. So you added new fish without QT them?

 

[TeamPisces]

That suck man. So you added new fish without QT them?

Yes. They started acting like they were not interested in eating food. Than I saw a fish with wierd white color in his eye. After, another fish showed up with the white spots. I tried to treat the entire tank, but was unsuccessful. I only have two left at this point.

 

[F8LBITE]

We've all been there. I learned my lesson so I keep a 20L for QT

 

[Jim Anderson]

sorry to hear that, that's really a bummer. Where did you get the fish from? Early detection and treatment is key.

 

[TeamPisces]

sorry to hear that, that's really a bummer. Where did you get the fish from? Early detection and treatment is key.

I got them from a friend that breeds. However, he encourages quarantine practices. I just did not do it in this case because they were the only fish going in the 55. I just hope the two that I have make it. In the meantime, I will just be going back to basics and reviewing videos and care of cichlids.

 

[b considine]

If you put all the fish in at the same time, perhaps it was stress from an ammonia spike that triggered the event. That's a lot of fish to add to an empty tank at once, especially if you got them at around 4".

Blaise

 

[IndianaSam]

Happens to the best of us. Don't beat yourself up, but use it as a learning experience.

I hope you're not too discouraged.

 

[TeamPisces]

Happens to the best of us. Don't beat yourself up, but use it as a learning experience.

I hope you're not too discouraged.

I am not discouraged, but I do feel bad. More so because my daughter watched it unfold. However, I am not giving up. I have so much surface agitation with the wave makers and a sponge driven air filter will always run. I am still running the two AC110's. My plan for any quarantine in the future will be to drop that established sponge filter in the qt.

 

[IndianaSam]

I am not discouraged, but I do feel bad. More so because my daughter watched it unfold. However, I am not giving up. I have so much surface agitation with the wave makers and a sponge driven air filter will always run. I am still running the two AC110's. My plan for any quarantine in the future will be to drop that established sponge filter in the qt.

That’s probably a good plan. I always keep extra sponge filters running in case I need to get another tank up and running quickly.

And I’m glad you’re not discouraged!