Red Belly Piranna Question

[jdheff1982]

Hey all! I am asking a question about a friends pirhanna. My friend has a red bellied p. ~7 inches in length and is about 6 to 7 years old. This is his problem. My friend recently transferred this fish from one tank to a bigger tank (don't know size) and noticed the fishes ventral fins blood red. My friend also told me this fish doesn't seem as active and has lost some color. I told him possible internal parasite, but didn't know for sure. He also told me that the tank he put is fish in has been running for ~15 years. He doesn't test his water, so I can't give any water info. He wants to keep this fish, but wants to know what the problem is??Thanks for the help!!

[shmeeb001]

if there's a difference in water chemistry the fish could be responding badly to it. or it could be in shock from the move, which does invite disease.

[vfrex]

Any move is going to be stressful. Is it eating? Also, red bellies generally shoal or live with other red bellied piranhas. Although it might do fine in a smaller tank, it might be scared of goign into the open alone in a larger area.

[ChilDawg]

RBPs are shoaling fish, and, while the one may have adapted to being alone in one tank, new tanks without a shoal might stress them out!

[BluEyes]

water changes? Especially if he doesn't check his water parameters.
Heck, even if water quality isn't the main cause, a water change always seems to make fish feel better.

[thom336]

Was the new tank cycled? Even if it was, cycling would be a real shot in the dark if he doesnt check water quality. Get the water tested - I would bet money on the answer lying in the results...

[ChilDawg]

Oh, ouch, good call, Thom...RBPs aren't notorious for thriving in poor water conditions and aren't fish that I would use to cycle a tank (not that I would use any for that purpose!).