K
kendra
Guest
In our 50 gallon freshwater fish tank we currently have two Oscars (Astronotus ocellatus) that are about 5 or 6 inches long, and we had two Plecostomus fish that were about 4.5 inches long. For about two weeks now we've been noticing the Oscars laying down on their sides at the bottom of the tank, and not eating any food at all. Unlike the Oscars, the Pleco's still ate, but weren't as active as they should have been.
On Sunday, I noticed white crystal-like spots all over the Oscars and the Pleco's bodies, and little white cottony growths around the mouths of the Oscars. On Monday, we removed the carbon filters and treated the 50 gallon tank with 5 tablets of Tank Buddies Fungus Clear (we pre-disolved the tablets in water before putting them in the tank because the tank volume is over 40 gallons.) On Tuesday, we found both Pleco's dead (one floating at the top of the tank, and the other under the rock), and the Oscars still laying down on their sides. We immediately put the carbon filters back in, and did a 20% water change. Now it's Wednesday, and the Oscars are a bit more active (still not eating however), but they still have the white cottony growths on them.
We are thinking about putting 3 tablets of Tank Buddies Fungus Clear in the tank today to try and provide the Oscars some relief (we don't want to use a full dose because of the effect it had the first time.) However we have some questions first.
1. Are we taking the right actions in treating the fish?
2. Could the Tank Buddies Fungus Clear have killed both Pleco's in the tank, or did they die on their own?
3. Could the Pleco's have made the Oscars sucebtible to infection by sucking off their protective coating - or can that only happen with goldfish & Pleco's?
4. If the answer to number 3 is yes, then what other algae eaters can we place in the tank that would be compatible with the two Oscars?
Any & all INFORMED answers are welcome, and greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for helping.
On Sunday, I noticed white crystal-like spots all over the Oscars and the Pleco's bodies, and little white cottony growths around the mouths of the Oscars. On Monday, we removed the carbon filters and treated the 50 gallon tank with 5 tablets of Tank Buddies Fungus Clear (we pre-disolved the tablets in water before putting them in the tank because the tank volume is over 40 gallons.) On Tuesday, we found both Pleco's dead (one floating at the top of the tank, and the other under the rock), and the Oscars still laying down on their sides. We immediately put the carbon filters back in, and did a 20% water change. Now it's Wednesday, and the Oscars are a bit more active (still not eating however), but they still have the white cottony growths on them.
We are thinking about putting 3 tablets of Tank Buddies Fungus Clear in the tank today to try and provide the Oscars some relief (we don't want to use a full dose because of the effect it had the first time.) However we have some questions first.
1. Are we taking the right actions in treating the fish?
2. Could the Tank Buddies Fungus Clear have killed both Pleco's in the tank, or did they die on their own?
3. Could the Pleco's have made the Oscars sucebtible to infection by sucking off their protective coating - or can that only happen with goldfish & Pleco's?
4. If the answer to number 3 is yes, then what other algae eaters can we place in the tank that would be compatible with the two Oscars?
Any & all INFORMED answers are welcome, and greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for helping.