algae eater

Question
QUESTION: HI.  I changed my freshwater today.  All of it.  When I put my fish back in I did not have the ph level right. 2 died.  My algae eater is molting 6 hours later.  What can I do or do you think it will die as well?

ANSWER: Mari,

 It is very important that you check your water before adding the fish. Always do a water check for PH, ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite. What kind of algae eater do you have? If you have a pleco, then no he doesn't molt. No fish does. If it looks like he is doing that, then I would say he has some kind of fungus infection and you need to treat him. Please, let me know what kind of algae eater you have so that I can inform you better.

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

QUESTION: No he is not a pleco, he is the light brown type with black spots. He normally hid out in a tank deco that I had and I rarely saw him, but now he has nowhere to hide and he is up by the pump tube near the top.  As I said, he has a bunch of (looks like skin) type stuff coming off him but he was fine before I changed the water.  I have checked the levels and treated the ph part by using 'Start right' and when I checked the levels today, the nitrate/nitrite isn't right and I don't know how to correct that. I lost another fish overnight so I am thinking I may lose all and have to start over.  Just bothers me that I am killing them still.  How do I fix the nitrite/nitrate level? And could this "molting" (for lack of a better word) have anything to do with him being out in the open instead of hidden or just the tank water problems?  Thanks for the help.  I really appreciate it.


Answer
Mari,

 I think it is his slime coat that is coming off due to the toxic water. What conditioner do you use to add to the new water going into the tank during a water change? You have to use one that says it dissolves ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, chlorine and other chemicals. A good one to use is Prime. You add it to the new water before putting in it the tank. You have to add the conditioner to the new water every time you add it to the tank. You can also add slimecoat to the water to help him get it back. I suggest a huge water change when you get Prime so that it can start working. If the nitrates/nitrites are off then the ammonia is off too. Ammonia will kill a fish very quickly. Make sure the filter is working right and that you change the media monthly. I would add Prime to your tank right now. You can add up to double the dose to help protect the fish you have in the tank. The soon you do this the faster your fish will re cooperate and get back to 100% health. Let me know how this works, and I am here if you have any more problems or questions.