ammonia spike and dead fish

[pipaloo]

I had a parrot fish die suddenly this morning, And I decided to test the water and my ammonia is real high (about 4.0). The dead fish has been in the tank for about two hours before removal. Can this dead fish cause an ammonia spike that quickly?

 

[beaslbob]

imo more likely the ammonia caused the fish death.
Now just wat until ammonia and nityrItes spike come down.

 

[pipaloo]

I was a bit brief, but my tank has been running for years, and I cannot imagine what could cause the spike. I certainly will address the high ammonia, but how long does it take a dead fish to cause an ammonia spike?

 

[knoxville]

Good Question

 

[stapler]

Well I guess a good question to ask you is did you add anything new to your tank recently?
Something obviously happened....sorry to hear of your loss.

 

[pipaloo]

i added a puffer two weeks ago, but he replaced on that dies six months ago. Otherwise the tank population is the same as it has been for three years.

 

[yellowtail]

do you add the water from the bag to your tank after acclimation..
bad idea

 

[beaslbob]

any possibility the new puffer harassed the parrot fish?