Unexplained Death Of My Siamese Algae Eaters

Q. I don’t understand why every time I change the water (about half tank) in my four-foot tank, all the Siamese algae eaters in the tank would die within three hours whereas all the other fish in the tank, including many other species of algae eaters, would be unaffected. Please tell me caused these unexplained death of my Siamese algae eaters.

Contrary to many believe, Siamese algae eaters are not exactly hardy fish. They are more sensitive than the other species you have in your tank. Instead of changing half of the tank’s water at one go, try changing only 25 per cent of it instead. Once a week would be sufficient if yours is a planter tank. If you are putting other additives into the tank, I would recommend that you change a lower percentage of the water, at a higher frequency.

The reason is that the fish are more tolerant of a smaller fluctuation in water parameters at a higher frequency than a larger fluctuation in water parameters at a lower frequency. This is especially so if you use additives like conditioners in your tank. A massive volume of water change will greatly alter all the water parameters within a few minutes. This stresses the fish and the weaker ones will not be able to survive.

This point is illustrated when hobbyists, especially beginners, go for a quick fix in adjusting their water pH (acidity). A single digit change in pH scale from 7 to 8 actually represents an algorithm change of ten times. A pH move from 7 to 9 represents a change of 100 times. So, it is not surprising that the weaker fish perish when there is a sudden pH change in the water.

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