silver speckles on pacus

[eng55]

Hey I have five pacus in my 55 tank. Two of them are larger than the other three. I just moved them into this tank a couple of weeks ago and I noticed nice they have been in there that they have silver speckles over their bodies. One of them is completely covered and I was wondering if it is just the lights reflecting off their bodies or if it is some type of disease. I looked over the forums and I haven't read of anything familiar. I was thinking like that cotton mouth stuff but it doesnt sound familiar. Please help!!!

[Swimfins]

5 pacu in a 55g? :huh: Wassup wid dat??!
I'm thinking ich. But the ones I have seen do have a diamond scale look that sparkles. Dunno.

[ashdavid]

What type of pacu are they? They wouldn't pirana by any chance? They have scales that glitter in the light. :)

[eng55]

Ya I think thats what it is now as well. I noticed them scraping themselves on the gravel and against things in tank. Started treatment immemdiately. Do u think that five pacus in this tank is too many or what?

[ashdavid]

Btw they need a bigger tank, a much bigger tank. And if they are in fact black pacu I hope you have some dollars to put them in a tank the size of Mark and debras tank!
Debra and Marks 3240 gallon tank (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4125)

[Kasakato]

What are you treating with? Salt and heat are the best! And ya, you need a much bigger tank. With 5 bigger than 3000g. Good Luck!

[Debra Mark]

Our black Pacus have a gold sheen to their scales when the light hits....
Sorry to break the news, but one Pacu will soon outgrow a 55 gallon - you might want to try to find homes for the others while they are still small.

[ashdavid]

Here's another reason not buy pacu's unless you have a big enough tank.
Check this out (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51417)