sick fish?

[MiramichiMob]

I have a blue peacock that is not eating. He is just hanging out at the top near the surface. Without getting into water parameters, is there anything that can be done for him? He is quite young and had been doing this for several days now. thanks.

[tarheels910]

Need amonia level, pH level, tank size, and tank mates.

[Lupin]

Need amonia level, pH level, tank size, and tank mates.
Not just ammonia...need nitrites and nitrates, when you bought the fish, what fish you last bought, temperature, etc.

[tarheels910]

Not just ammonia...need nitrites and nitrates, when you bought the fish, what fish you last bought, temperature, etc.
For some odd reasons he doesnt want to list the parameters, so I asked him just a few easy ones. Maybe he doesnt have the detailed test kits.

[MiramichiMob]

Yeah, I don't wanna list them, it's a big secret. Anyway, for anyone else who would like to reply, my ph is around 7.8 Nitrites and Nitrates, I have no idea. I carry out regualr water changes, however he (or she) acts the same both before and after the changes. Tank mates are another peacock, a yellow lab, kenyi, aurora, jewel, red zebra, some kind of hybrid and a couple algae eaters. Tank is 55 gallon. Hope this helps someone determine what problem might be.

[tarheels910]

Yeah, I don't wanna list them, it's a big secret. Anyway, for anyone else who would like to reply, my ph is around 7.8 Nitrites and Nitrates, I have no idea. I carry out regualr water changes, however he (or she) acts the same both before and after the changes. Tank mates are another peacock, a yellow lab, kenyi, aurora, jewel, red zebra, some kind of hybrid and a couple algae eaters. Tank is 55 gallon. Hope this helps someone determine what problem might be.
Dont want to list them? Do you know much about fishkeeping?

Your "aurora" is probably an auratus, because "auroras" dont exist. Also, if you can tell you fish is a blue peacock, it is most likely a male.

[MySpace Mike]

we cant help unless you list the FULL water parameters. Could be a possible internal parasite too, try some melafix and primafix. Could be it doesnt like the food youre feeding them, try a couple different types of food. I feed my central american cichlids hbh super soft sinking pellets, cichlid stix, and frozen brine shrimp, this offers each fish something different.

[MiramichiMob]

Thanks myspacemike. Tarheels, if you know what Google is, try googling "aurora cichlid". It's facinating the weird things, and people, you can find on the internet.

[Coler]

Sick fish will go to the surface (more oxygen).

Number of possibilities really and impossible to say for sure without more information.

We can probably say its not the water, if you are not having any other problems, but only probably as you don't seem to use a test kit.

We can probably say it isn't fungal/injury/ich etc as you don't say there is any external symptoms.

Is it being bullied by any other inhabitant ?

In general you will have to simply keep the water parameters pristine (but you won't know if you're doing this without a test kit). You could also try different foods. Dosing Pimafix with Melafix won't do any harm.

[MySpace Mike]

I dose my tanks every time using melafix and primafix when i get a new, until i can pick up a empty tank to use for the dosing of new fish. Id like to get a 20g long and is it as a hospital/dosing tank for my old and new fish.

I had 2 3" female Jack Dempsey who had a white poo problem, used melafix and primafix, she was fine after a week and a half. In one case my Electric Blue Dempsey Male had ich, and rid-ich wasnt helping much, but melafix and primafix worked perfectly for it.

[MiramichiMob]

Well, as embarassed as I am, I have to admit I think it may have been a water problem. I was gone for the entire day, and when I came home, had one dead blue peacock, and one dead pleco. I immediatly did a water change and a vacuum. What else can be done. And NO, I do not have a tester to test nitrates, ect. All I have is the ph.. and it's around 7.8 This is the ph that my water has been for months, so I really don't think ph is the problem althogh u never know. I do not believe they were being bullied and there were no visable signs of fungus, ich,,ect. However, my yellow lab looked to be doing the funky chicken,,shaking, almost vibrating. I know this is a sign of something wrong. So, if it is my water, what can I do.. plz help.

[MySpace Mike]

Sounds like a possible parasite problem to me. Most fish tend to scratch on stuff, shake and twitch when they have a parasite. Tho it could be a water issue. I recommend going to the local grocery store, getting a few gallons of spring water(aquafina, etc... or cheap store brand lol) let them sit over night to get room temp. then do a major water change using the new water. Go pick up some Primafix and dose the new water to specifications on its bottle, add salt to the tank(1 tblspn per 5-10 gallons of water) the salt will help with stress issues. Remember to remove any filter media from the filters when using Primafix or Melafix but let the filter continue to run without the media. Also if you can pick up tetra aquasafe for the water to remove any chemicals in the water(chlorine, other metals in water), i have found personally that tetra watersafe works great.

[MiramichiMob]

Thank you very much Mike.

[MySpace Mike]

no problem.

[Coler]

Well, as embarassed as I am, I have to admit I think it may have been a water problem. I was gone for the entire day, and when I came home, had one dead blue peacock, and one dead pleco. I immediatly did a water change and a vacuum. What else can be done. And NO, I do not have a tester to test nitrates, ect. All I have is the ph.. and it's around 7.8 This is the ph that my water has been for months, so I really don't think ph is the problem althogh u never know. I do not believe they were being bullied and there were no visable signs of fungus, ich,,ect. However, my yellow lab looked to be doing the funky chicken,,shaking, almost vibrating. I know this is a sign of something wrong. So, if it is my water, what can I do.. plz help.

Sorry you're having problems. What exactly is your water change routine and how often do you gravel vac ? What's the depth of substrate and do you stir it once a week ? What water conditioner to you use ? What's your filtration.

Ph is not your problem.


So, if it is my water, what can I do.. plz help.

A good liquid drop text kit will allow you to make a more precise analysis of what may be going wrong.

I can't say to you e.g. do a huge water change, because I don't know what your nitrates are, and if they were very high this could shock the fish.

I can't say to you e.g. don't do a change, your water is not the problem and it will be stress on the fish, because we don't know that your water isn't the problem.

I can't say that you have inadequate mechanical filtration versus that something has damaged your bacterial colonies temporarily.

We can't even say that something has gotten into your water supply and that what you are putting in the tank does not require e.g. Seachem Prime to detoxify ammonia.

As much as you apparently don't want to hear it, you need a good liquid drop test kit, API make a great one. There's really no good reason not to have one and without it, you're guessing.

[MiramichiMob]

I know, I know, I need a test kit. I went for so long without one and my fish were always fine, that's all. Today is a holiday, no stores r open so I (and the fish) will have to suffer another day. After my water change last night they seem better this morning, but definately not 100%. Appreciate the help.

Would another water change help?

My substrate is play sand, about 2-2.5 inches deep. Water changes, at the most are done every 2 weeks, usually around 10 days. I change about 25% of the water, and I do stir the gravel up. Thanks again.

[MiramichiMob]

Also, Mike said to remove filter media when using medication. How long do I leave it out? I'm going for the stuff in the morning, thanks again all.

[MySpace Mike]

Leave the filter media out for about 7-10 days while treating the tank to meds specifications, after the 7-10 days add new carbon to the media. The fish hopefully should do better after using the medication/s.

[MiramichiMob]

OK, one more dumb question. I have a couple hang on filters. Do I remove the filter cartridge AND the bio filter sponge? And if so, do I also replace the bio filter sponge? Also, starting to think parasites too, that yellow lab is wedging himself between the glass and thermometer, as if he's scatching his back,.. thanks again.

[MySpace Mike]

I leave my sponges in my filters, i only remove any carbon, or anything else.

Have you seen them flashing(scratching on rocks, the bottom of the tank, gravel, plants) ?

[MiramichiMob]

Yes, not all fish, but 2 or 3 of them are scatching on the rocks. However, none of them are real "lively" and some seem to be hanging out around the top of the tank.
As for the filters. I leave in the bio filter cartridge (it's like a sponge) and take out the other one? I've read and it also says on the bio cartridge to never replace.

[MySpace Mike]

no the bio cartridge is a sponge that holds the tanks bio bacteria, so you never have to replce it, just rinse it every so often in hot water when it gets overloaded and starts to clog up, then put it right back in the filter, and itll happen all over again.

As for the fish, sounds like both a parasite and lack of oxygen, fish hang out at the top because it has more oxygen, i recommend getting a bubblewand and airpump, put the bubblewand at the bottom of the tank, this will cause more oxygen circulation in the tank.

I have a great bubblewand in my 55g tank, and the force of the bubbles rising to the top helps to circulate the oxygen throughout the tank.

[MiramichiMob]

Thanks again Mike, I have have an airpump running with a long tube which puts bubbles up the back of the tank. I'll turn it up at bit. So, ,,, when i'm running the medication for 7-10 days,,,, is the sponge in or out? I'll be starting this process tomorrow so I'll let u know,,, and I really appreciat the hlep. thanks.

[Coler]

I know, I know, I need a test kit. I went for so long without one and my fish were always fine, that's all. Today is a holiday, no stores r open so I (and the fish) will have to suffer another day. After my water change last night they seem better this morning, but definately not 100%. Appreciate the help.

Would another water change help?

My substrate is play sand, about 2-2.5 inches deep. Water changes, at the most are done every 2 weeks, usually around 10 days. I change about 25% of the water, and I do stir the gravel up. Thanks again.

Just noticing that you've gone a while with no probs and now you have some. I would change more water in the future - minimum 25% weekly, but no harm at 50% weekly, and stir the gravel & gravel vac while doing this.

Your substrate is also a lil deep imo and I would take an inch out. Anaerobic bacteria can build up in it, as do nitrates.

[MySpace Mike]

Like I said when I treat my tank I leave the bio sponges in the filters, because parasites can attach to them, so by leaving them in the filters the meds have to go thru the entire filter, i suggest replacing the entire carbon media, such as an entirely new carbon insert. Because the parasites can live in them too, so by getting a whole new carbon insert you eliminate the old one that could have a parasites attached. I agree with coler about another water change, I agree with 50% weekly for right now until your fish seem healthy, then down size the water changes to 25% weekly. Don't forget to add a bit of salt to the tank to help with stress issues.

[Coler]

no need to add salt imo.

i don't know that it will do anything at all as regards stress.

it can be useful during a nitrite spike as it lessens toxic effect of nitrite (which prevents oxygen absorbtion).

I would test your water before commencing meds - may be unnecessary (however pima & melafix will do no harm)