Why are my discus fish swimming at the top of the water?

[dartfrog]

Today I did my usual water change, 80% every other day from tap. For some reason I noticed that today they all all swimming at the top, as if going to the surface to gasp for air. Temp is set at 86f which is the same temp I put back in the tank. What the heck is happening to my discus? What did I do wrong? I've been doing water changes this way for months know and never an issue until now. Please Help!!!

[Ibenu]

Do you have lots of airation? I would put a stone in or move some jets to agitate surface tension. no change in 30 min of behaviour I would do another water change.. (not that it would help or not just my instinct would be to do over)

Do you use dechlorinator? and did you this time?

This is a panicky kind of thing isnt it..

[dartfrog]

Yes, there is plenty of airation, I have 2 sponge filters running with air stones.
Won't another water change just compound an already stressful situation? I have never used a dechlorinator, the water conditions here are pretty optimal. Remember, I've been doing water changes from tap for quite a while. I'm really worried about my Yellow Diamonds!!

[lpiasente]

I would be getting water conditioner RIGHT NOW and adding it to your tank. T

[flyman767]

What is your water source..tap or well? If you are using tap and you've never used a dechlorinator..consider yourself extremely lucky. Most, if not all, water municipalities use either or both Chlorine/Chloramines. Also, just because you did not have any issues prior doesn't mean you haven't exposed your fish to some toxic forms of chlorine poisoning. Every municipality, can and will vary the amount used based on conditional need. You may very well have exposed them to high levels. You can put the dechlorinator directly into the tank. Follow the directions, and if it was me..I would do it as soon as possible...Ray

[lpiasente]

Doesn't the chlorine burn the gills?

[dartfrog]

Just got back from LFS doing treatment now. Lets see how this works. Keeping fingers crossed....Thanks guys

[flyman767]

Doesn't the chlorine burn the gills?

Chlorine affects the gills and causes death by asphyxiation(suffocation).

http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-tapwater.html

[Jennie]

do you have test kits??

[dartfrog]

One thing I did not mention before is that this happening to only one of the 3 tanks I did the WC. The other tanks are fine. If this means anything...

[Jennie]

You did dechlor all tanks Correct? Test kits?
One thing I did not mention before is that this happening to only one of the 3 tanks I did the WC. The other tanks are fine. If this means anything...

[dartfrog]

Yes, I do have test kits and all checks out just fine. PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, GH and KH is what i tested for no problems there.

[Jennie]

are you testing tap or tanks

Yes, I do have test kits and all checks out just fine. PH, Ammonia, Nitrite, GH and KH is what i tested for no problems there.

[dartfrog]

You did dechlor all tanks Correct? Test kits?

Well, at this time i'm oly treating the affected tank. Really concerned with getting my Yellow Diamonds back to norm.

[dartfrog]

are you testing tap or tanks

testing tanks

[Jennie]

test your tap
testing tanks

[dartfrog]

WOW, as I was treating the tank i noticed some of the droppings. 3x the normal size. What could that be?

[dartfrog]

test your tap

Ok I will but wont that be somewhat of a false reading?

[Ibenu]

So you treated with dechlorinater? Any improvement?

[dartfrog]

So you treated with dechlorinater? Any improvement?

They seem to be recovering, looks like I dodged a big one. Thank you guys so much for your advise. It looks like I'm gonna have to treat everytime I do water changes. This is why I love the SD forums.

Learned a lesson today!!!

[Jennie]

where do you live? City? country?
I dug up this article for you to read.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=48597&highlight=testing+water

[dartfrog]

where do you live? City? country?
I dug up this article for you to read.
http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=48597&highlight=testing+water

I'm in West Hempstead, New York

[dartfrog]

Interesting reading. I like to get my hands on those testers pictured.

[dartfrog]

One final update: My babies are back!!!! Moving freely throughout the just like before. I'm one happy daddy.

[lpiasente]

great news