View Full Version : Blackmoor sick or lazy?
Shekoi
02-26-2004, 7:41 AM
I've got a blackmoor that just lays on the sand until i either feed him or do a water change and then he only swims around until all the food has gone or i finish the change.
the water NH3 0 nitrate 0 and nitirte 0
pH 7.2
temperature around 68F
Has anybody got any ideas?
aquariumfishguy
02-26-2004, 1:23 PM
First of all, do some new readings. You can't have zero ammonia AND zero nitrAtes. Thats not possible. On top of that, you report that you have zero nitrites.
If you dont have nitrAtes, that means your tank is newly setup and is still cycling. However, that would mean you'd have ammonia. See why I'm confused? ;)
Next, like all fancy goldfish, Black Moors should have a heater of some decent quality. They like water at or around 73-75 degrees F. This helps aid in the digestion of their food and makes them more active.
However, if he is just sitting around not moving, I would check for other signs of diseases. Does your fish have clamped fins, or does he/she have a tail with blood streaks in it? Is there white "salt" like grains on the sides and tail of the fish? These are all signs for a more serious disease. More info will help us better help you. BTW...what size tank is your fish in, and is he alone?
Shekoi
02-27-2004, 8:24 AM
the tank has been set up for over 6 months. the tank has 250L of water and houses 1 blackmoor 4 fantial goldfish, weather loach and two hillstream loachs.
the setup has a corner power fitler, airstone and fitler and i do a 15% water change weekly sometimes twice weekly.
New readings
Ammonia 0.6
Nitrates 0-5 mg/L
Nitrite 0-0.1 mg/L
aquariumfishguy
02-27-2004, 10:07 AM
Hmmm...I'm not good with liters at all. :confused:
But now your saying you have both ammonia and nitrates? This is also very unlikely, sayings how ammonia is in a tank which is newly setup and cycling and nitrates are in an established tank which isn't cycling. SO, I don't see how you can have BOTH.
And the readings are in ppm (parts per million), not mg/L. This could confuse others if you posted it as mg/L so thats why I mentioned it. ;)
Shekoi
02-27-2004, 10:32 AM
250L is around 57 uk gallons
The ammonia is probably from the water change i did before reading your reply. Tap water contains chloramine the water conitioner will remove the chlorine but the ammonia will stay in the tank untill the bacteria use it.
there is no sign of disease, all fins are fine.
Shekoi
02-27-2004, 10:34 AM
oh and my test kits show mg/L not ppm thats why i put mg/L:(
aquariumfishguy
02-27-2004, 12:15 PM
hmmm I guess that makes more sense, but I would still question the test kits your using as I've never had ammonia come from doing a water change. Infact, I haven't seen ammonia present in my tanks since the first time my tanks have cycled.
goldene
03-04-2004, 4:19 PM
Depending on which water conditioner you are using, you can get one that removes chlorine and chlorime, I use tetra aquasafe which came up in a servey as the best one, but its down to personal choice.
You won't get ammonia from the fresh water but from the fish waste, and the filter bacteria plus the part water changes should clear that, I would get a different test kit and check your readings again. I think your black moor is trying to tell you that all is not well.
Shekoi
03-12-2004, 8:56 AM
i've had water tested by aquatic store they say there is no problem. i've had new test kit, nitrite 0, nitrate 0-5 and ammoina 0
pH is 7.2.
The blackmoor is still on the bottom, but still feeding. the problem now is that one of my fantails is doing the same. :sad
there is no sign of damage, disease or stress.
Could it be internal? anymore ideas:confused:
goldene
03-12-2004, 9:47 AM
Well your water seems fine, It could be down to swimbladder trouble, sometimes they just sit on the bottom or hang upside down at the top of the tank, try giving them some garden peas slightly blanched peeled and chopped small enough for them to eat and see if there is any improvement, be sure to remove any uneaten peas as they will pollute the water. what is the temperture of your tank again as fancy goldfish seem to like it slightly warmer than the commom goldfish as they are more susceptible to chills.
Shekoi
03-12-2004, 11:34 AM
temperature around 71F at moment.
Do you mean normal tinned peas?
goldene
03-12-2004, 11:55 AM
No not tinned peas as they have to much additives, frozen garden peas are good and easy to keep remember to only slightly blanch them peel and chop.
aquariumfishguy
03-12-2004, 2:42 PM
I prefer to feed mine unblanched peas. I just let them sit out for 10 or so minutes or until they thaw...then feed the pea (w/o the shell) and he gulps it down! I do this once a week, theres not really a time you NEED to feed the peas unless the fish seem sick or constipated or something of that nature. Nevertheless, it wouldnt hurt him/her to eat a couple here and there. ;)
goldene
03-12-2004, 8:19 PM
I have got to admit I dont blanch mine either I just defrost and peel then chop, but they do normally recommend slightly blanching them, possibly thats how they defrost the peas ? but either way is fine :) Just feed them a couple of times a week.
aquariumfishguy
03-13-2004, 10:33 AM
hhmm...See I've always heard that its recommended not to blanch the peas, as it does take away some of the nutritional value. :confused:
Anyway, I suppose either way IS fine, however it would depend on what your using the pea for. Is it for the nutritional values found in the peas, or is it used as a laxitive? ;)
JeffP
03-14-2004, 10:22 PM
Time to do some research: http://www.koivet.com
aquariumfishguy
03-15-2004, 5:07 PM
;) Get back to us and let us know Jeff!
This is from my goldfish book. The fish sitting on the bottom could be two things, one is if the fish has difficulty swimming to the surface then it is swim bladder problem. A defect in the swim bladder will cause this it may have water instead of air in it or it could have an infection.
The second is if the fish will swim fine when disturbed then it might weakened by parasites. If you have a microscope you can do a scrape and check for them.
As far as feeding peas, they need to be fresh or frozen but they cannot be canned. The peas can be blanched lightly to thaw them or soften them up a little. Just do not over cook them. I usually will put the frozen ones in the microwave for ten second in coffee cup with a little water, that’s all.
Shekoi
03-19-2004, 5:34 AM
i've been feeding them frozen peas for few days now, they really enjoy them even the dojo loach eats them.
the blackmoor swims fine so i don't think there is any swimbladder problem. He has gone from just laying on the dottom to being face down like he's doing a 'hand stand'.
I haven't got microscope so can't do any check, can i treat for parasites even if i don't know if thats the problem?
What should i use to treat?
Thanks for all info so far!:D
goldene
03-19-2004, 7:35 AM
It still sounds like swim bladder to me, I would buy some swimbladder treatment and if you can treat the black moor in a seperate Tank, I had a rykin with swim bladder and treated it first with the swim bladder stuff then bacteria treatment and it worked fine, the only thing is it can come back over time but at least for now it gives the fish some quality time, so is worth a try.
You could try doing a 0.3% salt solution,(if you do not know how to then ask and I will explain) to kill any parasites. Now I am not sure if you other non-goldfish can tolerate salt so I would check on that. If you can get your hands on medicated food I would try feeding it to them.
blackspider
12-26-2004, 3:55 PM
My black moor fish is doing the same, it just lays on the bottom of the tank, in the same exact spot. just set the tank up a few days ago, and all the other fish are fine. when i feed it, it gets up and swims around perfectly and eats just fine, then minuets later it goes, and lays in the same spot. I just noticed a couple white spots on tail, but i thought it was just part of color. Could it be pregnant? or just sick? HELP
goldene
12-27-2004, 3:40 PM
Hello there :) going by your discription I think your blackmoor could possibly have whitespot, are there any spots on other parts of the body and is this a new addition to the tank or did you add all the fish at the same time, I take it you didn't cycle your tank before adding the fish :confused: do you know anything about how to cycle a tank and the nitrogen cycle.
blackspider
12-27-2004, 8:51 PM
No i didint cycle my tank, i didint hear anything about that. I just got the tank, and put all the fish in at the same time. One of my goldfish is now doing the same, and laying in the same spot my black moor was in yesterday. I gave them medicine, for ick. but nothing is seeming to change. It has white spots on its eyes too.all the other fish are perfectly fine. thank you