Missing hatchet fish and nitrite spike

[Bubbles]

Help please!

So the the hatchet I asked about before unfortunately died. I tried swim bladder treatment and adding tannins via bogwood.

Now I'm trying to check all the others (8) are ok but I can only find 6. Theres a lot of vegetation in the tank and I dont know if they're just hiding but I'm suspicious as this morning I did a water test and I'm having a nitrite spike (2). Ammonia reads 0.25 and Nitrates between 40 and 80. I've done a 40% water change. Nitrites have gone down to 0.25 for now.

Do you think theres a dead fish somewhere? Theres nothing floating. Couldn't have jumped out. Is there recommended way of getting rid of nitrites other than changing water every day?

Thanks

[Bubbles]

Ok, I've got 7 now. One missing....

[plankton]

Sorry for your loss.
You can counter the nitrites with extra doses of Prime conditioner, but water changes are the straightforward way (with Prime as well ).

[Martinspuddle]

Try some floating plants, I have Dwarf water lettuce (pistia stratiotes) this do two things, firstly it will give the Hatchets some cover making feel a little more secure and secondly greatly reduce your Nitrates.

[Bubbles]

Sorry for your loss.
You can counter the nitrites with extra doses of Prime conditioner, but water changes are the straightforward way (with Prime as well ).

Thanks Plankton. I'll do that. Added some more bacteria too.