Nitrite Poisoning in Bait Tanks
Nitrite poisoning is close to ammonia as a major killer of bait tank fish. Anytime ammonia levels are elevated, elevated nitrites will soon follow. Nitrite is lethal at much lower levels than ammonia.
To avoid nitrite poisoning, test for - when setting up a new tank, when adding new
fish to established an tank, when the filter fails due to power or
mechanical failure.
Fish can suffocate even though there is ample oxygen present in the
water. Fish may die suddenly with no obvious signs of illness.
It is critical to for daily testing and treatment until the nitrite falls to
zero.
Symptoms of Nitrite Poisoning in Fish:
Fish breathing heavily at the water surface
Fish hanging around or near water outlets
Fish are restless listless
Brown or tan gills
Gill movements are rapid
Action to remove Nitrite from your bait tank:
Raise the ph above 7.0 as higher the ph, the less toxic is the nitrite
(opposite of ammonia)
Do a 50% water change preferably with aged water.
Add salt-The addition of one half ounce of salt per gallon of water is
beneficial in the prevention of nitrite poisoning in a newly set up tank.
Stop feeding
Increase oxygen, add air-stones or oxygen induction system.
Prevention of Nitrite in bait tanks:
Increase the tank population slowly
Stop feeding
Regular, frequent water changes (10-30%)
Conduct water testing of water parameters to detect problems as early as
possible.
The Nitrogen Cycle
You can establish a naturally occurring bacteria cycle that converts Ammonia to Nitrite and in turn, to the less toxic Nitrate known as the Nitrogen cycle. Testing your water is fairly simple and there are a number of inexpensive test kits and monitoring devices available.
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