Patches on Gar's head. help!

[alligatorgar93]

Hi guys,

I need some advice. My gar developed these weird translucent patches on its head three months ago. It wasn't really a problem (gar still eating, active etc.) so I left it. But I think it is slowly getting worse and I am worried it will spread. Anyone seen this before?

 

[predatorkeeper87]

what are your water parameters? meaning what is your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings? any tank mates? what are you feeding him?
it looks like hes shedding slimecoat which could be caused by multiple things, so we are going to need info first.

 

[alligatorgar93]

Hmm I'm not sure about ammonia and nitrite readings because I don't have the test kit for that, but the pH of the water is slightly over 7.5.

He doesn't have any tank mates or any plants or decoration in tank. and I usually feed him feeder fish. not sure what breed those are, gotta check with the store. but i think its a mix of guppies and goldfish

 

[predatorkeeper87]

Hmm I'm not sure about ammonia and nitrite readings because I don't have the test kit for that, but the pH of the water is slightly over 7.5.
He doesn't have any tank mates or any plants or decoration in tank. and I usually feed him feeder fish. not sure what breed those are, gotta check with the store. but i think its a mix of guppies and goldfish

right off the bat I'm saying your ammonia is may high then and that's maybe why his slimecoat is shedding.. You need to do like 15% water changes every day. get a test kit for ammo and nitrites asap. get some stress coat and maybe even add a little aquarium salt to the tank as well.
This may be some type of fungal infection from the feeders as well so if my above steps don't show any improvement be ready to get some meds to treat the fish.

 

[redfish1]

Yeah I also think it's a infection.I have experienced it on my Arowana.

 

[alligatorgar93]

Yeah I also think it's a infection.I have experienced it on my Arowana.

Redfish1, do you have pictures of when your arowana had infection? What medication did you use to treat it?

 

[pharmaecopia]

What have you been feeding the gar? This looks most similar to a nutritional deficiency. Usually appears as pitting in the skull.

 

[alligatorgar93]

What have you been feeding the gar? This looks most similar to a nutritional deficiency. Usually appears as pitting in the skull.

I feed it feeder fish once a week. What kind of nutritional deficiency? The patches are not depressions. They are almost level with the normal skin

Also, the ammonia readings are always about 0.25 mg/l. I tried water changes for a week but don't rly have any effect

 

[pharmaecopia]

Try and get some pellets into its diet. Either through feeding the gar directly or feeding gut loading the feeders, before feeding the gar.

I would probably up the feedings as well.

As far as the ammonia readings, what filtration are you running? What size of tank? Any additional information can be helpful as well.

 

[redfish1]

Redfish1, do you have pictures of when your arowana had infection? What medication did you use to treat it?

Sincerely I've photos,

Just watch his upper head...
I increased temperature up to 25°C , then cleaned water very frequently...It was really a problem to me.So I sold him for Rs.14500.(nearly 45$)