View Full Version : Arapaima issues!!!
I've had about 6 arapaimas in the past and they've all died. The pH was within range (6.5) and i did a 15-20% water change every week. Every time i bought an arapaima they were very aggressive eaters but they would have the tendency to hang out in the corner of the tank and not really swim around too much. Other than that I didn't notice any signs of disease related issues and yet they would die within a month or two of having them. Does anyone know what other requirements are needed for these fish and recommendations if possible?? your insight is appreciated!!
HPIZZLE
10-24-2008, 4:50 PM
what was the general size of teh fish, and the size of the tank?
pimas need room...
nishant_datta
10-24-2008, 5:01 PM
what was the general size of teh fish, and the size of the tank?
pimas need room...
yup.:iagree:
benzjamin13
10-24-2008, 5:09 PM
What were your other water parameters? Tankmates? Filtration?
Zoodiver
10-24-2008, 5:25 PM
More info please......
mikro
10-25-2008, 11:37 AM
what was the general size of teh fish, and the size of the tank?
pimas need room...
They all were approx. six inches or less and they were in a 240 gal tank. And, i only had one at a time so they weren't fighting for space or n e thing.
wonword
10-25-2008, 11:43 AM
was your tank cycled? was there anything in the tank producing ammonia for the bacteria while there was no pima in the tank? i think maybe there was no bacteria in the tank, so when your put the pima in you started a cycle, and eventually a spike of something could have caused its death? just my guess, because 6 is alot of pimas!
Zoodiver
10-25-2008, 9:34 PM
How long was the tank running?
Other tankmates?
Also, six inches is small. Might look for larger (10" or more) juvies to get. Arapaima fry need milt which is secreted from glands in the father's head to feed off of when small. If they are pulled too soon, the will often die right away.
[quote=Zoodiver;2350347;Also, six inches is small. Might look for larger (10" or more) juvies to get. Arapaima fry need milt which is secreted from glands in the father's head to feed off of when small. If they are pulled too soon, the will often die right away.[/quote]
Oh.. i didn't know about that. Wish i knew this a couple years back, i had 3 small 4-6" pima's and they never lived over a month. :( Then later i bought a 10" Pima.... she is currently living Strongly, eating Strongly... now she is a Strong Beautiful Beast!! :headbang2LITERALLY!!!
Good information Zoodiver!!
ctoychik
10-29-2008, 12:27 AM
I've had about 6 arapaimas in the past and they've all died. The pH was within range (6.5) and i did a 15-20% water change every week. Every time i bought an arapaima they were very aggressive eaters but they would have the tendency to hang out in the corner of the tank and not really swim around too much. Other than that I didn't notice any signs of disease related issues and yet they would die within a month or two of having them. Does anyone know what other requirements are needed for these fish and recommendations if possible?? your insight is appreciated!!
My two cents ^^
When i had 5 5-6" arapaimas in one hit, they also hanged out in the corner of the tank where the water was coming back from the overhead filter. Just swam up and down one after another in rapid succession. They ate with no problems - any feeders that got close were instantly inhaled.
The reason i use the word had is because it was earlier in the year, and there was an unusual cold spell (16 degrees for whole week with no sun)and i did not install heater (i know i know, many fishkeepers in my town and surrounding towns lost aros)...Hmmm my neighbors paimas did not suffer but they were fully grown - they did stop eating though. When my father called me, two have died already so he had a bright idea to put the remaining puny paimas with the RTCs and gars (thinking that they are fast swimmers) ... needless to say, they did not last very long (don't know who munch them to this day)
The next batch i got also exhibited this behavior (swiming up and down in the corner). When i moved the filter outlet, they would move exactly to the limit of the water fall - never fully to the other end. Interesting huh?
Anyway, now that they are all little monsters, they do not do that no more. In fact, i noticed that they do not swim as hyper as when they were juvi.
PS: i am still very sad that i lost those five, because they had very vibrant color at very young age - woulda have been lookers everyone of them. My current ones were all dark (no spots) but now starting to develop bright colorations on scales, tail and fins
ctoychik
10-29-2008, 12:31 AM
How long was the tank running?
Other tankmates?
Also, six inches is small. Might look for larger (10" or more) juvies to get. Arapaima fry need milt which is secreted from glands in the father's head to feed off of when small. If they are pulled too soon, the will often die right away.
Hmm, i rarely see 10" paimas in LFS around here... usually they have shoals of 4"-6". They seem to feed quite aggressively on pellets, feeders and shrimp - swim really hyper too. follow the owner around the tank and coming to the surface or right up against the glass if you wiggle a finger for them...this is one of the reason i like paimas - quite personable at young age - unlike aros ...though they do lack grace due to their chunky body AND people say it looks like a snakehead (thai common name for them is Amazonian Snakehead) - every local that see my paima says it is a snakehead variant first lol
Ramesh
11-12-2008, 6:03 AM
Do you have any pictures of the fish you currently have??
ctoychik
11-21-2008, 6:06 AM
Do you have any pictures of the fish you currently have??
Sorry do not check out this forum so often. My 3 beasties are with RTCs + 3 gars. there are threads on them. Injuries on the two that were moved recently have healed.
Earlier one:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166873
Later one:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=181786
I suppose i better update - paimas are growing like crazy..., still lots of pix is you have not seen these threads ^^ Not good quality though hehehe
PS: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=171854 this is the thread in the grow-out