My fish is turning black???

scubachris

scubachris

Member
OK. I set up my 30 gal tank about 2 weeks ago. The pH is is 8.0, the nitrates are at 0. I put in 2 cromies to start off the tank. They both looked fine till this morning. I woke up and my wife noticed that on one side of one of the fish the head has turned a blackish/purple color. Just one side of the head of one fish, from the gill foward. Looks like a black eye on a person, but covering half of the head of my fish. Any idea what this is? Anyone had the same thing? Help! Will try and post a pic later.
 
mscenter58

mscenter58

Member
what kind of chromies do you have? ive seen the blue ones completly change to black when they get stressed out.
 
srgvigil

srgvigil

Member
Maybe the two cromies got in a fight and one gave the other a nice left hook into the side of the face

What are your other levels not just nitrate, 2 weeks seems like a very fast cycle
 
scubachris

scubachris

Member
The fish are a very light sky blue almost a silvery color. I put 3 fish in two weeks ago. One dies after 3 days. The other two have been doing fine. Eating ok. Nothing new to the tank has been done to stress them out. Other than the pH and Nitriate levels I am unsure. The thing I thought was wierd was they were both fine last night, then this morning I got a half and half fish.
 
srgvigil

srgvigil

Member
If I get this right you set up your tank 2 weeks ago? And you added fish 2 weeks ago. This may be your problem. With saltwater tanks you need to let the tank cycle. You say you are unsure of your other levels? I would suggest going out and getting a test kit (one of your best friends in this hobby). Don't get test strips they are innaccurate.
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
I'd bet ammonia is frying their gills; don't let the lfs sell you fish to cycle the tank. There are better, more humane ways. Just search this site. Here's a good description of the water cycle,https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/116184/saltwater-aquariums-101-the-cycle As SrgVigil said, you need basic test kit; its indispensable for a newcomer.
 
scubachris

scubachris

Member
ok its not ammonia. Here are my levels:
pH: 8.0
Nitrate: 0.0
Amonia slightly above 0 but no where near .25
salt is in the safe range
water temp 78
any other tests I need?
Any suggestions?
 
bill109

bill109

Active Member
this happend to me. but my hippo was turning black.. it was wierd. then it went away.. i can post pics if u want? this tankw as established so perameters were not the issue..
 
srfisher17

srfisher17

Active Member
Originally Posted by scubachris
http:///forum/post/2781268
ok its not ammonia. Here are my levels:
pH: 8.0
Nitrate: 0.0
Amonia slightly above 0 but no where near .25
salt is in the safe range
water temp 78
any other tests I need?
Any suggestions?
Any ammonia can affect fish, some more than others. You should also test nitrIte, which should show up between the ammonia spike and any nitrAte reading. There are different opinions on the danger of nitrIte; but, IMO, it can be very toxic. I personally think a tank should be fishless as long as any ammonia or nitrIte is present. (NitrAte is generally harmless to fish). Can you tell us more about the dark fish? Eating? Active? etc.
 
scubachris

scubachris

Member
Both the fish appear to eat. And neither seem to be very active, they just seem to hide behind the rocks and behind the plants. They do come out and swim around, but mostly are concealed.
 
bill109

bill109

Active Member

he looks normal now tho..
my camera isnt good so sorry about tht. i know the dark blue background doesnt help any..
 
nigerbang

nigerbang

Active Member
The problem was more then likley the tank STARTED to cycle, esp if there was ammonia present and fryed the fish... Slow down and take it easy...There will be fish when your ready..
 
valeram

valeram

Member
The hardest part in SWA is the initial cycle and waiting for that cycle to finish. It is always tempting to ge that first fish knowing that the cycle is not yet over or hoping that it is done.
 
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