HELP WITH KRIBS!

[krib_chick]

This morning I noticed about 40 of my 2 month old baby kribs in my 20 gal dead, I cleaned the gravel and changed 3 buckets of water. There was no ammonia, Ph was normal and they are still dying! They seem fine, then I see one sort of freak out and spiral and then either die or lay there for a minute and seem ok. I had close to 100 before they started to die, now maybe I have 50. What is wrong, is it a disease or water conditions? I was wondering if it could be nitrate, I have no test kit for this but was wondering what causes it. Thanks!

Shari

[SGypsyMermaid]

hi krib chick! cool name. :D if you mean what causes nitrate--it is the end product of your tank's biological filtration. fish produce ammonia which is consumed by one type of bacteria and converted to nitrite. another type of bacteria consumes the nitrite and converts it to nitrate. the way to reduce nitrates is with regular partial water changes. however, some unfortunate people have high levels of nitrates in their TAP water.

[Cichlid Jeans]

Bad news. :(

The "freak out and spiral" behaviour you describe is typical of stress. I wonder if it is the result of swings in water parameters -- particularly salts. When the ion concentrations outside change faster than the fish can adjust to inside, fluids are drawn osmotically out of the fish's organs, and they suddenly bonk, as you describe. 3 buckets sounds like a lot of change for a 20g.

[krib_chick]

Thanks, I had put them into that tank last week but had older kribs in it before. I was planning on cleaning it the day I discovered the multiple deaths. Will any of them be ok? I had it happen about 6 months ago with my older kribs, one of them survived out of 24 and I think that was from Brine Shrimp either being bad or too much got in the tank. I changed 3 two gallon buckets (Canadian Gallons though) and it was not quite half the tank. Should I do any more water changes or just watch to see if any of the babies make it? Thanks

[SGypsyMermaid]

how frequently are you doing your water changes? if you are going for long periods between making water changes, then suddenly making large water changes, your fish are probably suffering from osmotic shock as cichlid jeans indicates. if, however, you have been consistently making large water changes on a weekly basis, that would not be where the problem lies.

[luvthesefish]

:?:

[krib_chick]

I usually try to clean out my tanks (I have 5-2 10's, 1 20, 1 27 gal hex and 1 55) every 2 or 3 weeks. I have heard you should each week but with 5 tanks, it is hard! I usually change 2 buckets in the 20 gal and 27 gal Hex and 1 in the 10 gals. Haven't cleaned out my 55 yet cause it is pretty new, just set it up about a week and a half ago. I have about 30 kribs left and they seem ok. Seeing less deaths. Hopefully no more will die. Thanks for the advice!

Shari

[SGypsyMermaid]

ya gotta get a python, girl! makes water changes a snap!

[tom]

[quote:5cdc0db07a="luvthesefish"]:?:[/quote:5cdc0db07a]

Hi luvthesefish

"Krib" is short for "Kribensis," common name of the <I>Pelvicachromis pulcher, </I> a mild-tempered cichlid from the rivers of West Africa.

[luvthesefish]

Ohhhh...thanks because you know when I first started reading about these fish and the "Great Lakes" were referenced, I was like "these are in Lake Michigan?", (which I have lived & breathed near & in my whole life.)

B-e-g-i-n-n-e-r-'-s F-o-r-u-m . . .

[SGypsyMermaid]

you may also come across references to the "rock krib"(paralabidochromis rock kribensis) from lake victoria which is a totally different fish.

[krib_chick]

What is a python, is it like a diatom filter? Thanks

Shari

[SGypsyMermaid]

a python is a brand name for a water changer. it is a long hose which has a siphon at one end and a faucet connector at the other. the faucet connector has an attachment(venturi?) which allows you to siphon water out of the tank when turned in one direction, and to refill when it's turned in the other direction.