WESTBROOK, Maine — A local aquarium shop is warning pet owners after a sudden surge in reported fish tank die-offs linked to municipal tap water.
Larisa Larrabee, manager of Easy Aquariums in Westbrook, says her store has been flooded with calls from fish keepers across Southern Maine—including Westbrook, Portland, Gray, Gorham, and Cape Elizabeth. Customers report severe water quality spikes within 24 to 48 hours of routine tank maintenance, causing full “tank crashes” and killing aquatic life.
“It’s killing fish,” Larrabee said, noting that recent water testing has revealed dangerously high ammonia levels (2 to 3 ppm), elevated chlorine, and drastically low pH levels dropping down to 4.5.
Telltale signs of stress in affected fish include pale skin, sudden fungal or bacterial infections, and spots appearing across their bodies.
While standard water conditioners normally remove trace chlorine quickly, the recent chemical spikes appear to be overpowering standard treatments. Larrabee advises aquarium owners to temporarily use bottled water for tank changes, test their home tap water frequently, and exercise extra caution regarding their household water supply until the issue settles.
