Nitrate Poison

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I wanted to know 3 things.
1) How long will it take for my barb to recover from the nitrate poisoning? ( swimming normal again?)

2) When you told me to clean my tank to help the poisoning I changed all the water. I cauldn't get the white stuff out. The same white stuff that invaded my 2 gallon tank. Fungus, I think. I noticed the fungus returns when there is not a lot of movement in the tank. My barb doesn't have anyone to chase anymore and he is poisoned so he does'nt move much and the guppy isn't big of moving. The guppy just floats at the top of the tank, near a plant. So there isn't much movement at all. I'm trying to get more fish but it is a little hard to get my parents convinced and the roads are deeply snowed from yesterday's storm. The store is far from my house. I wanted to ask if the fish will be ok after the full water change. I added some conditioner that said it cycles the tank and replaces lost good bacteria. When I did the water change the fish were in a jar full of water that was the same temp as the tank water. Will they be ok?

3) Is conditioner safe for the fish?

Thanks!

ANSWER: My fish took 5 days to right himself.  He had been nitrite poisoned, and he was swimming on his face.  Poor fish, but he's fine now.

Your fish could recover.  No promises, my friend, but I am crossing my fingers, eyes and toes for his fast recovery. :)

The stuff you added is good.  The fungus is bad.  Really bad.  I am wondering what's causing it.  Is something decorative disintegrating?

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
I dought it was related to decorations, because I didn't add or remove anything. I'm still worried about him. His gills are rapidly flapping and he is struggling a lot. I don't want to loose him too! I think it is day 3 since I discovered the poisoning. I had fungus twice and I observed that it returns when the water is calm and when there are not a lot of fish around. Have you ever had fungus in your tanks?

ANSWER: Hi Manahil,

I have.  When I was younger, I did.  I would move the gravel around, and white puffs would come out of it.  At first, I thought it was fish eggs, because it was in a Killifish tank and they are avid breeders, but it turned out to be fish pellets that had fallen into the gravel and grown this wierd, fuzzy white cotton on them.

I ended up having to wash the entire tank and then to cut back on feeding issues.  My filter wasn't sufficient either.  You live and learn, much like I did...through trial and error.  Back then, we didn't have anyone to help us learn how to take care of our fish.  I had a little fish graveyard about age 12 and my father ended up planting our garden over it.  The soil had so many dead fishes in it, it was very nutritious for the tomatos, lol.  I lost many fish over the years.  I think most people do.  It's sad, but that's how we learn.

Maybe someday I will go to the library and open a book by Manahil, who is a fish expert by then. :)

For the white fluffs, just keep doing water changes til it dissipates.

Renee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi,
I love reading your stories and from this one I realized how alike we are. I have a flower pot in my room and I bury my dead fish in it too! And I was going to plant flowers in at at spring! Just by coincidence, I never knew you were doing it too! That is so cool! But I have some bad news too. My flower pot has two new fish bodies in it from last night. No more fish left. I totally emptied the tank and I put fresh water in it. I took out all the decorations including the gravel. I am cycling the tank again, my dad said he'd get me new fish. I think I should add only one species of fish now. I think one type of fish at a time will increase breeding chances. What do you think?

P.S I will add the decorations one or two days before getting the fish, so I don't have to wash them again if the fungus gets them.

I'm so glad to have you to share my problems with, we think and act alike and you always understand me. Bye!

Answer
Thankyou so much for the compliments, Manahil.  That's funny about the plant flower pot.  Funny indeed, but sad it has two new bodies. :-|

I am also worried about the white fungus.  That can't be good for the fishes.

I hope it doesn't come back.

I think it's a good idea to do one at a time.  Maybe 2 and then no more til they are doing fine for a few months.  Maybe you should only keep a pair of fish at a time.  

Happy fish-keeping and I'm crossing my fingers the next pair do well for a long period of time.  

Renee