Juvenile 8" super red Arowana very stressed and not eating food for over a month.

[psylent_darkness]

It's been over a month since I bought this fellow home and I haven't seen him playful and happy. He is very scared, stressed and swims erratically when we go near the tank.

He hasn't eaten well at all. Initially I saw him eating live shrimp but now he barely eats anything and it's very concerning because it's been more than a month since I got him home and I'm so worried about his health and life from here on.

Kindly advice what I should do to build his trust and make him aware that I'm no harm. I have had 3 arowanas in the past and my most recent one died after spending 15 years with us. This one is very different from the rest and I'm concerned about it's well being.


Kindly help me with the best approach to make him trust.

 

[ChileRelleno]

Questions?
Tank size, Length x Width.
Temp, pH and other water parameters.

Is he not eating at all?
Or is he just eating sparingly and at intervals?
Every few days, once a week or what?
What has he eaten?

Filtration outflow, is generated current heavy, moderate or low?
Low or moderate, best.
Even high outflow filtration can be diffused by splitting and direction.

Things I'd try,
Dimmed lighting.

Dark background and at least one end of tank.

Floating plants, and/or a section of tall plants, or branch(es) forming a screen / area to hide.
A section of clear tubing with suction cups on both ends keeps floating vegetation at one end of the tank.

Plant a chair/recliner near him, then just sit and kill time.
Become as omnipresent as the hum of the filtration.

Time...

 

[Midwater]

What is your water change schedule?

 

[psylent_darkness]

Questions?
Tank size, Length x Width.
Temp, pH and other water parameters.

Is he not eating at all?
Or is he just eating sparingly and at intervals?
Every few days, once a week or what?
What has he eaten?

Filtration outflow, is generated current heavy, moderate or low?
Low or moderate, best.
Even high outflow filtration can be diffused by splitting and direction.

Things I'd try,
Dimmed lighting.

Dark background and at least one end of tank.

Floating plants, and/or a section of tall plants, or branch(es) forming a screen / area to hide.
A section of clear tubing with suction cups on both ends keeps floating vegetation at one end of the tank.

Plant a chair/recliner near him, then just sit and kill time.
Become as omnipresent as the hum of the filtration.

Time...

Tank Size :
Length : 150 cms
Height : 45 cms
Width : 45 cms

pH: 6.8
Temp : 29°C
Nitrates : 10 to 15 mg

He'e eats in long intervals, after putting up this post, I went ahead and tried feeding him some fresh shrimps, cleaned and cut to sizes he can chew or swallow. He ate 2 chunks about 1cm³ in size. I felt good that he managed to get some food into his system, but this is for today.....as I have no idea when his next meal would be. He refuses food almost all the time and this is what concerns me.


Also, he is very stressed when we go near the tank to feed him. He swims erratically and hurts himself. It's painful to watch.


As for the filtration setup I have a cannister filter by sun sun with the UV light. I would say it's a split current output which is low current, a pipe with series of perforations/holes in a straight line.


I dim my lighting most of the time. I only use the lights while I try to feed .



Which do you think is better for Juvenile Super red arowana colour development ?
White background or black? Kindly advice.



I have my beanbag right Infront of the tank and that's where I spend my life at. Your response has been very very helpful,thanks to you for keeping the flame of exotic fishkeeping alive. Sending all light and more wisdom your way

 

[psylent_darkness]

I

What is your water change schedule?

I change water once a month or 45 days. It's too hot here in the middle east and we don't get cool water. It's boiling hot from the tap.

 

[Midwater]

I change water once a month or 45 days. It's too hot here in the middle east and we don't get cool water. It's boiling hot from the tap.

Arowana come from hot climates. That is no excuse for not doing water changes.

I find it hard to believe your nitrates are not much higher.

Change half of your water now. And then tomorrow. And then every week.

And then look for a bigger tank.

 

[ChileRelleno]

I agree with Midwater on both counts, increase frequency of water changes and get a lifetime tank, i.e. a 240 or larger.

I know I said Dimmed lighting, but... If he freaking out when the lights come on then I'd try a lighting schedule on a timer.

As with lighting, feed on a schedule, with the lights on.

Again, cover, a place to hide or at least feel hidden.

You're trying to reduce stresses.
Anything but white or a bright color. Dark gray, brown, dark green, black or whatever.

Also, ya may have to face the fact of having an extremely timid fish.
But he's still relatively young, he could grow out of it.