Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi All. . . .
Is it just me, or are silvers sensitive to life in general? I have lost three in the last couple of days with no visible signs of stress or injury. All levels in the tank are fine and they have adequate shade and hiding places in the tank. If they keep falling like that I will be switching to goldfish in summer and then feed them to trout in winter!
A.J

Must be a reason AJ, how big are they? Are they feeding? Should be picking up now with the warmer weather.

Yeah, they're one of the tougher varieties available - much more so than trout, black bream or catfish.

I can't see any reason, other than the fact my mother in-law was looking after them for the last two weeks. . . . . I know if she looked after me I'd probably fall over too , but they seem to be swimming fine although I have noticed them rubbing the bottom of the tank. They are all different sizes, biggest about 150mm, smallest about 60mm. They eating fine, even take food off the surface and there is plenty of duckweed for them to nibble if they so desire. I will salt the tank later and see if I lose anymore in the next few days.
Thanks for the replies.
A.J

+1 for salt.

I was going to ask if something could be frightening them before, but I think you have addressed that with your MIL post above.

Oil of Olay poisoning is my guess

If they are rubbing on the tank floor then yes salt to 3ppt in one hit

OK, just salted to 3ppt and in the process found two more dead . . . .fingers crossed I have halted the troubles otherwise it's goldfish city here we come

Hey some people like to eat goldfish....

1 ppt is all that is required for most ailments.

This time of year, as well as autumn, the tanks go through a swing, where the winter algae dies off, and the summer algae takes over. This can lead to fish deaths due to oxygen deficiency.

Rubbing on the bottom or the side of the tank is commonly known as "flashing". It is a warning sign that something is not quite right and certainly a good idea to add salt.
Salt is to fish, like seaweed extract is to plants.

I don't think it is O2 deficiency as I have a bubbler going in the tank, the water has no smell either. . . . I will play the waiting game and see what happens.
Thanks for all the replies.

As Faye said... if your fish are "rubbing" themselves on the bottom... they will be "flashing"... showing their silver side...

It's an indication they have a parasite... called "Ich".... which shows as small white pimples...

Salt to 6ppt... leave for a week... reduce to 3ppt for another week, or simply dilute through top-ups...

1ppt is only good for mitigating nitrite poisoning... or as a general "tonic" for slime coat production and fish health...

Well there you go, 1ppt, 3ppt, or 6ppt so everything should be clear now