Help! Sick Blood Parrot

[Johnnyr]

Hey guys,

I just moved my two BP's from a 55gal to a 125gal. The 125gal had just finished fishless cycling, and all the params looked good. (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and after 90% water change, 40-60ppm Nitrates)

Anyway, one BP is lying on the bottom of the tank. He's breathing, and will move if I put my hand near him, but will just go back to lying on his side. What can I do for him? What could be causing this? All the other fish (1 eartheater, 5 bolvarian rams) all are doing fine, and the BP shows no other signs of being sick, other then looking a bit pale.

Please help, I've had her for about 2 years now, and don't want to lose her. Is there anything I can do?

Thanks,

John

[mcox3]

make sure the temps are the same. A sudden change in temp. can be stressful and even deadly for fish. You can also take whatever you had filtering the 55g and run it on the 125. This will help against any mini-cycles.

She's probably just a little stressed out. Keep the lights off and and try to reduce the amount of traffic in that room if possible.

May I ask why you went with a fishless cycle, when you could've seeded the new tank with your old filter media?

[Johnnyr]

Well, Like I said the params are perfect, so I don't think a mini-cycle is happening.

The reason I went with a fishless cycle is because my 55 gallon had major issues with Green water, and I didn't want to risk bringing it to the new tank (I was fighting with this stuff for over 6 months) as well as I was in no rush, so I figured why not take my time and avoid all the headaches of a cycle, just in case the seeded filter didn't work as well.

Anyway, I'm hoping she will pull through, Like i said I've had her for over 2 years, and I love her dearly.

The only paramater that could possibly be different between the two tanks is the Nitrates, as the older tank was probrably at a higher level. But PH is the same. (the new tank is in a house about a block away from the old house, so water is practically identical)

Sigh..I feel so helpless

[mcox3]

If the diffence is big enough, it can negatively affect the fish aswell. I'm speaking of Old Tank Syndrome. Dont know if that is the case here.

Some Stresscoat would probably help.

[beefsteak]

Hmmmm....personally I think the nitrates are a bit high. I've always been under the impression that 20ppm and below is ideal. That could be it. What kind of test kit are you using? I'd try raising the temp a few degrees, dosing with a bit of salt perhaps? Is he/she eating at all?

Oh and I know you just did a huge one, but I would do another 50% water change. I really think those nitrates should come down a bit.

[Johnnyr]

Well, When I woke up this morning, she was fine. It wasen't until 4 hours later when I came home on my lunch break that she was doing this. As for the Nitrates, I have always had somewhat high levels, since I get 10ppm out of the tap, and I've never had a problem with it. (although that doesen't rule it out) All the other fish are doing fine as well, so I just don't understand it.

I did put in some stress coat, before I had to leave and go to work again. I will be leaving shortly, and see how she is doing.

Temp is at a stable 79, and I'm using new API test kits.

[silentskream]

do another large water change to get those nitrates down..
what were the parameters in the old tank when you moved them?

[Johnnyr]

The older tank had 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and I did not test for nitrates. PH was 8.0, just like in the new tank.

I'll be retesting my Nitrates today when I get home, since I did it in kind of a hurry this morning.

[Johnnyr]

Ok, I just got home, and how ALL of the fish are gasping at the surface...what the hell is going on? 0 am, 0 nitri and 40ppm of nitrates.....I took the water level down to aerate the tank more...but I do have 3 ehiem filters on it...so I don't see how that could be the issue...please help!

[Johnnyr]

Bit of an update...its been about 15 min since I lowered the water level, and they are no longer gasping, of course that could be because of the huge waterfalls that are now crashing down on them...

btw I moved the other BP to my old 55gal tank...havent had a chance to check on her yet...


Is it possible there just wasen't enough water movement?

I also added an air stone in the middle of the tank...everyone seems to be acting normal again...

My Other BP that was originally laying on its side is still just sitting at the bottom of my old 55gal. She's at least upright, but thats because shes leaning against the wall

[Johnnyr]

Sigh....stupid edit button timeout...

I'm happy to report that my BP that was on it's side seems to be recovering in her old tank. All of the fish in the current tank are no longer gasping for air, and appear to be acting normal, including eating.

I can't believe that the problem was oxygen....but I have no other explanation....How much water movement does a 125g need to stay oxygenated?

[wataugachicken]

the eheims are canisters, right? the same thing happened to me when moving fish (angels and tetras) from a 55 to a 150. was running an xp3 canister, and after a few hours of being in the tank they were gasping at the top, all huddled together. i added a powerhead to the tank, just below the water so there was surface movement, and they went back to normal behavior in less than an hour. it doesn't have to be a big or expensive powerhead, i think this one is a $15 walmart one. just enough to get some ripples on the surface.

[mcox3]

glad to hear everything is okay. Powerhead is a great idea, keep that bad boy aimed at the surface. I prefer to have more surface movement than below-surface movement.

[Johnnyr]

Well, you know I had some suface movement before, but I guess it just wasn't enough...Anyway, everyone is doing fine, I put the Original BP back in the tank last night and she is doing fine so far.

I'll have to find a few powerheads to put in there. I think I mave leave the airstones in as well, as my Bolivian Rams seem to love playing in them.