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We have had massive problems in getting our aquarium up and running. We have had cloudy water on and off and have been vacuuming and changing water every week. The water is beginning to clear up but we have long strings of jelly like substances floating that looks like seeds in the middle of them. They look like they are coming up from the rocks. We continue to loose fish with the last one being about 5 to 6 days ago. Any ideas on what is going on would greatly be appreciated.... PH/ Nitrates/Nitrites and ammonia are all in the safe zone. We have 2 sunfish and one albino cat fish remaining. They are all small size.

it definitally sounds like fish poo.

Are the "seeds" you speak of brown?

Could they be bubbles in the poo?

Hi Tropigal, welcome to the site! If this is a new tank it sounds like your tank is cycling. Please see the link for the cycling process. Under the FAQ you will find a great section on starting your first aquarium.

[link=http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp]http://www.fishprofiles.net/faq/begin-cycling.asp" style="COLOR: #400040[/link]

As for the jelly with the dots, my best guess would be some type of eggs.



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If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished.

I am cureious too because my Jack Dempsey's aquarium has been going for quite some time and I noticed very simular things. They are cloudy and float around and sometimes have little speck things in them that, to me, looked like tiny bubbles vs. seeds. But what I noticed is they were hanging on my cichlid anywhere from his bottom fins to even his eye once. He rubs them off against the rocks in this aquarium.

Ive asked loads of people what the heck they are, no one seems to have a clue so ive been on edge wondering what to treat the water with. Woulden't want to do treat an entire 29gal with the wrong med (no choice in that, he's a big fish) Anyway...I supose im not helping. But if we are seeing the same thing, and you figure out what it is, please be sure to let me know. The odd thing is, my cichlid looks very healthy.

Tropigal and Princess,

If you notice the jellylike strands after a water change, then you may be seeing the sloughed off protective slime from your fish. Oftentimes degassification occurs after a water change with tap water. This process will remove the slime coat from your fish. It is harmless but may be alarming.

Last edited by bob wesolowski at 20-May-2005 12:14

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