Loaches Online Forum

I'm so sorry to hear about this. You must be heartbroken.

You had most of them for what? A week? My guess is that mikev is right and something came in with them, especially since it wasn't an overnight thing but took three days.

I guess you're right mikev I'll bleach then run carbon.

Tom,

a couple more things: if you opt to continue with hillstreams

next time this happens, you may want to try to slow down the wipeout as follows:

change 50% of water
put meth blue into the tank, making water color light-to-medium blue.
(or alternatively make it stronger and lose the biofilter--not the worst thing.)

This will work with some pathogens, at least enough to buy you some time.

In reality, you are better off with everyone dead quickly, allows to start again....

---

TammyLiz: you right, wipeout over three days is more likely, but I've seen overnight wipeout's too.

After a bleaching, cleaning refilling and running a uv sterilizer, I am confident I can start over. I added 10 Pimephales promelas as test/cycle fish. After 2 days all is well, only time will tell

I was wondering about your situation as I checked out some Walmarts over the last few days. Still no hillstreams as "Fish of the Month" only spiney eels.
Well, I hope everything works out better this time. Have you been able to find anymore hillstreams?
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you.

There is a place around here that can order me in some beaufortias. I still have 1 vannie.

What was this tank used for before you got it?

Is there any chance it was a reptile tank?

Is there any chance it was a saltwater tank?

My very first post on here a year or so ago was because of a wipeout like yours. Since then I have summised that these fish require some things we cant test for or see. In a "mature" tank that is set up well these fish do really well. In a new tank cycled and set up the same. with the same fish they may not do so hot.

Like Mikev has said these fish being bottom dwellers are subject to being in the same neighborhood of the tank as most of the little nasties we cant see.

A "Q" tank is a must. Franks Aquarium has the most comprehensive quarentine procedure of anyone I know that sells hillstreams in the US. They should get some form of Praziquantril, Metronidazole, and a Sulfa antiboitic. To do this right takes three to four weeks and tons of patience. Another facet of keeping these fish is meticulous water quality. The best quarentine procedure will fail if used in poor conditions. I use to same procedure for all of my fish be they wild discus, wild geophagus, corydoras, and hillstreams.

Water changes every day
Remedicate every day following directions.
Watch fish behavior
Do they food seek?

I hope you find at least some pearl of wisdom in all of this

So far so good. All the rosy reds are still alive and thriving, they were spawning this afternoon. I am still weary about this tank, so I'm moving the whole shebang to a 55gallon I'm getting on Monday.

So far all the fish are alive, they are spawning like crazy, I got a free 55 gallon, that will become my new river tank after a thorough cleaning. I have to build a stand for it too. I will to add 2 more powerheads to my manifold design for the 55.