Warning from Local Aquarium Shop in Westbrook, Maine
WESTBROOK, Maine — A local aquarium shop is alerting pet owners about a concerning increase in fish tank die-offs associated with municipal tap water.
Manager of Easy Aquariums, Larisa Larrabee, reports an influx of calls from fish keepers across Southern Maine—specifically Westbrook, Portland, Gray, Gorham, and Cape Elizabeth. Customers are experiencing significant water quality deterioration within 24 to 48 hours following routine tank maintenance, resulting in complete “tank crashes” and the loss of aquatic life.
“It’s killing fish,” Larrabee stated, adding that recent water tests have indicated alarmingly high ammonia levels (2 to 3 ppm), elevated chlorine, and notably low pH levels, dropping to 4.5.
Signs of stress in affected fish include pale skin, sudden fungal or bacterial infections, and noticeable spots on their bodies.
Typically, standard water conditioners can effectively neutralize trace chlorine, but the recent chemical spikes are overwhelming these treatments. Larrabee recommends that aquarium owners temporarily switch to bottled water for tank changes, frequently test their home tap water, and exercise heightened caution regarding their household water supply until the situation improves.
