Ammonia Color Chart

Ammonia in an aquarium is caused by the decomposition of fish waste, decaying food, and dead fish that have not been promptly removed.  Ammonia can cause a great deal of problems if not taken care of.  It is the No. 1 killer of tropical fish. It is easy to treat if water conditions are ideal.  You need to do routine water changes, siphon the gravel , and be certain to keep from overfeeding.  With an ammonia level of 6 ppm, the death rate may be as high as 50%.  As the levels rise, the death rate will be higher.  Ammonia effects fish by causing the blood to loose its ability to carry oxygen.  The creates stress and lowers the fish's resistance to bacterial infections such as fin and tail rot, body slime, eye cloudiness, body sores, and more.  

It is best to do routine water changes and monitor the water conditons with a test kit made specificially for testing ammonia. More information can be found on water conditions here.



Below is a helpful guide to the appearance of the fish and the action that should be taken:

0 PPM

.5-1 PPM

2-3 PPM

4-5PPM

6-7 PPM

APPEARANCE

  • Fins spread

  • Fish look healthy

  • fish swim around

  • fish act normal

ACTION

  • check ammonia weekly
  • filter aquarium water with ammo chips
  • change carbon
APPEARANCE
  • Fish stress
  • clamped fins
  • rapid breathing

ACTION

  • remove excess waste
  • filter with ammo-chips
  • increase aeration
  • do not feed for 24  hrs
APPEARANCE
  • fish stress
  • clamped fins
  • rapid breathing
  • bacterial infections occur
  • fish begin to die

ACTION

  • remove waste
  • filter with Ammo-Chips
  • increase aeration
  • treat for bacterial infection
  • partial water change (25%)
  • do not feed for 24 hours
  • use Ammo-Lock2
APPEARANCE
  • death rate up 50%

ACTION

  • remove waste
  • filter with ammo chips
  • maximum aertion
  • partial water change (25%)
  • additional water changes may be needed
  • use Ammo-Lock  2 to instantly lock the ammonia
APPEARANCE
  • increasing death rate

ACTION

  • remove waste
  • filter with ammo-chips
  • maximum aeration
  • partial water change
  • test for ammonia daily
  • additional water changes may be necessary
  • use Ammo- Lock 2 to lock up the ammonia

"Ammo-Carb removes dissolved organic material, ammonia, discoloration and foul odors from the aquarium."

"Ammo-Chips Removes deadly ammonia and protects against ammonia build-up or surge in freshwater aquariums, goldfish bowls or outdoor ponds."

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Ammo-Lock This patented formula converts toxic ammonia into a non-toxic form which can be easily digested by the biologcial filter.

Testing the water routinely for ammonia is a good idea.  There are different test kits available to accomplish this task!

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Ammonia Test Kit "Quickly & accurately measures the level of ammonia in pond water, reading levels from 0 ppm to 7 ppm. Makes 75 tests."

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Freshwater/Saltwater Ammonia Test Kit "Tests ammonia levels from 0 to 8 ppm in fresh or salt water."

Mardel Ammonia Test Strips "Test strips to check ammonia level."

Mardel(reg) Live NH3(tm) Ammonia Monitor - 3 Pack "This in-tank ammonia monitor takes test strip water monitoring into your aquarium."









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The above color chart photo was taken from a test kit made by Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, INC.

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