[Umbilical Syllables]

My brother has a 38g and stocked it with 10 cardinal tertras, 5 harlequin rasboras, 1 common pleco, 1 chinese buterfly loach, 4 angels, 3 gouramis, and 2 id sharks. The tank was cycled for about a month and evrything was fine. But suddenly his fish started dying. Over 3 days, all 10 cardinals, the pleco, and the angels died. He said that the day before he noticed the dead angels and pleco, the were at the top of the tank and were gasping for air.He's got a bunch of plants growing in there too, and the java fern he has is starting to wilt and turn brown.

Now, the only thing i could think of is that there is too much CO2, or not enough O2 in the tank. Either that or the plant gro he's putting in the tank is having some effect on the water perameters.

Anyone have any clue what the heck is happening?

 

[rchan11]

You tank is overstock and you need to do more frequent water change. Use 1" fish per gallon rule for your tank. What's the water parameters?

 

[Fido]

Yeah man, frequent water change. Heavy filtration and air stone would probably help.

 

[Umbilical Syllables]

A water change was done 2 days before the cardinals first started dropping like flies. He's got an AC300 in there. I suggested he get a powerhead to get some more flow and air into the water.
Anyone know why the plants are wilting?

 

[rchan11]

When you do a water change and vacuum, you're going to stir up all the junk from the bottom and spike your ammonia level. That'll kill your fish, I've learned that the hard way. Small fish will die out 1st due to small body mass to absore ammonia.

 

[firepisser8104]

I would have to agree with the tank being overstocked! the angels themselves need the room. What are his paramiters? i bet the amonia and PH was too high from all the fish. The plants will die off as well with the amonia levels. Plus remeber the plants need to be fed too. hope this helps