Who Gives A Fish Forums

Good day,

I've had my Bangai Cardinal in quarantine for 7-8 days now, it was eating well initially. However, things took a turn after I experienced an ammonia and nitrite spike - nitrite was at 0.25, and ammonia wasn't much better. I treated the water with Seachem Prime to detoxify it, but I'm not sure if it made a difference. The Seachem test no longer detects free ammonia, but my API test still shows 0.25 nitrite. I know I shouldn't trust the test results after using Prime.

The cardinal was quiet and didn't eat for two days, just sitting in the corner. I did a 50% water change yesterday and another one today. I also set up a new airstone with a sponge filter.

Now the cardinal is swimming without any issues, but it still refuses to eat. I've also noticed some brown spots that look like blood. I've managed to take some pictures, which I've attached below.

Can anyone help me out? Thanks.

It seems you've taken the right steps. Those brown spots could be ammonia burns, which wouldn't be surprising given the Bangai Cardinal's fragile nature. Ammonia spikes can be damaging, so let's hope it's not too severe. Keep offering food and see if it'll eat eventually. Fingers crossed.

Is the Bangai Cardinal still in quarantine, I'm guessing it is. I've had similar issues with high ammonia and nitrate levels, and I'm thinking it could be a bacterial infection. I've had good luck with Odinox in the past, it's usually sorted out problems like this for me.