Dodgy test kit?
The poor appetite is probably down to the nitrates. Once they’re low he should accept more foods. Give it a week or two.
Please Help Zebra Tipapia Cichlid
- black ghost
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Nitrates could have been in the substrate and then released back into the water slowly after the big water change.
As for what you should do I'd expect finishing the medication properly is more important than another water change. Was it feeding ok recently when you had much higher levels?
As for what you should do I'd expect finishing the medication properly is more important than another water change. Was it feeding ok recently when you had much higher levels?
I've had the water rechecked at the fish shop and the Nitrate is between 80 - 100. They also suggested nitrates via the substrate and oh boy suggested another big water change!!! I was intending to start the medication today as I gave it overnight for the water to settle down (and the fish) but they did suggest the medication would not work as well? So I'm currently thinking (possibly naively) do another 50 - 60% water change (I can get help today) and then recheck water tomorrow and hopefully medicate. Truly would appreciate some more advise on this? As for feeding, he has always eaten well....but only pond pellets. I really can't get him to eat anything else and it is not for the want of trying. Forgot to add I also cleaned out the filters as suggested yesterday. I've also brought some NO3 which is apparently just for the nitrate test, and more sensitive.
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When you say you bought some NO3, you are talking about the NO3 test and not actual NO3?
If you haven't started meds then I'd agree with a big water change first, most of the nitrate should have leached out of the substrate by now if that is the cause.
If you haven't started meds then I'd agree with a big water change first, most of the nitrate should have leached out of the substrate by now if that is the cause.
- black ghost
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I’d do a water change today and then treat straight after.
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No disrespect but everything I've read states a tank water temp of 24/25C (75-77F) for the Zebra Tilapia.
All the best
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4 x Cupid Cichlids, 14 x Cory caudimaculatus, 12 x Cory sterbai 51 x Reed Tetra, 4 x Honeycomb Bristlenose (L519)
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- black ghost
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Appreciate all the input. I've just finished another approx. 70% water change. Not so bad this time, it's like he knew what I was doing, he just moved the substrate around. No indications that he was stressed based on his behaviour yesterday. He really is a clever fish. I'm going to recheck the nitrate tomorrow and hopefully start the treatment. It's got to be down surely. The nitrate test kit I purchased was Pro jbl aquatest NO3. I'm also working on getting his temperature down. I am here for advise/guidance/support and I will not take offense at being corrected. This is what is required. Unfortunately I just went along with what I was told as I didn't know any better, and I now appreciate he has not been best cared for and I must take some responsibility for that as I should have questioned the look of him more. That said I'm trying to learn and with good fortune and help I can turn this around for both of us. He is my priority not any perception of me. I have wronged this fish and I just need to try to put it right now. No disrespect taken for advise given in good will, because if it wasn't for the contributors here I would still be oblivious to his needs and his health so thank you all. I'll check in again tomorrow with the readings and how he is doing and fingers crossed we can start his treatment. This forum is a great resource.
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Check the filter - there may be gunge in it stopping the flow through, that's another cause of nitrates.
Don't overclean it it though, just swish the media quickly in old tankwater.
Don't overclean it it though, just swish the media quickly in old tankwater.
As always thank you. I've rechecked the nitrate level with the easy kit and it reads between 25 to 50. I just did the quick test and it is difficult to discern between the two pinks. He 'appears' comfortable and has eaten his food this morning as he usually does. No change in his behaviour. I've treated his tank (15 tablets) of the Waterlife hole in the head as advised. I dissolved the tablets in water before I put it into the tank. He seemed to wriggle a bit initially but that quickly passed. So I need to do it again over the next 2 days and on day 8 a 50% water change. I've done the filter as suggested too. Truly appreciate the advise and I will let you know how it goes for us.