A piranha that won't eat.

[Dez]

Yes, its me again... it seems every time I fix one thing for my piranha, another issue arises -__-

For quite a few weeks now, my piranha simply won't eat anything I give him. Prior to this incident I was treating him with Melafix because he had some torn scales/fins and one cloudy-looking eye. I did a big water change after the treatment was done and he looked fine again. One thing I did notice however, is that I can't see his teeth anymore... I always used to be able to see the very tips poking out from behind his lips, but now I can't see ANYTHING and he won't eat. Any chance he could have knocked his teeth out or something? He'll go for the food... then stop just shy of it and change his mind, or grab it, spit it out, and ignore it.

While I'm posting, there's one more issue... algae. No matter how clean I keep the tank, lately its been getting all greened-up real fast and real easy. This never used to happen, green gunk had never been a problem beyond maybe a tiny bit on his root-decoration in the tank.

Point is, I've got no clue whats going on. If you can offer any advice or solutions, I'm all eyes. Just try to use fish-keeping-dumby language because I'm more or less a novice fish-keeper.

 

[jp80911]

if it lost some or part of the teeth they won't eat until it grows back, probably take about a week or so. nothing to worry about.
as for the algae, it could caused by the water (too much phosphorus) or light (I believe green algae is from too much light).
If there's enough light for plants then I would say add some plants in the tank to help keep the algae in check. Algae needs two things in water to survive, food source and light.
plants (especially floating plants) provides shade so that blocks off some of light which eliminating one of the necessary components for algae to thrive. plants also use the nutrients in the water; therefore, robbing algae of their second necessary life source.
you can also throw in a few algae eater, I typically like rubber lip pleco (L187a or L187b Chaetostoma), they don't get too big (I think 5-6" max) and they really eat the algae. Otocinclus is also an other good choice as they remain small and loves algae.

 

[Dez]

if it lost some or part of the teeth they won't eat until it grows back, probably take about a week or so. nothing to worry about.
as for the algae, it could caused by the water (too much phosphorus) or light (I believe green algae is from too much light).
If there's enough light for plants then I would say add some plants in the tank to help keep the algae in check. Algae needs two things in water to survive, food source and light.
plants (especially floating plants) provides shade so that blocks off some of light which eliminating one of the necessary components for algae to thrive. plants also use the nutrients in the water; therefore, robbing algae of their second necessary life source.
you can also throw in a few algae eater, I typically like rubber lip pleco (L187a or L187b Chaetostoma), they don't get too big (I think 5-6" max) and they really eat the algae. Otocinclus is also an other good choice as they remain small and loves algae.

Well its been quite a few weeks and he still doesn't seem to have his teeth back nor want to eat, but I'll stay hopeful.

The plants sound like a good idea, but won't he eat the algae eater? I had placed a butterfly loach in there thinking it'd help keep it clean and the thing was eaten within a few hours. It was small mind you, but still.

 

[jp80911]

There is the chance that it may eat the algae eaters, but hey, it's eating again. won't that be a win win situation for you
that's why I said get a few and provide hiding space for them. usually mine all hides during the day and only comes when it's dark.

 

[mfgl]

Have you tried feeding something different?

 

[Dez]

There is the chance that it may eat the algae eaters, but hey, it's eating again. won't that be a win win situation for you
that's why I said get a few and provide hiding space for them. usually mine all hides during the day and only comes when it's dark.

I suppose its worth a shot... just not sure how many decent hiding places I can provide without cramping up the tank, its a little too small. Plus my RBP has a tendency to charge around like an idiot and get himself scratched up, so I only have his root in there to reduce the risk of him hitting something -.-;

And haha, I guess it WOULD be a win/win situation, but I would feel bad Algae-eaters are living things too! (I don't live-feed my piranha, obviously)

 

[Dez]

Have you tried feeding something different?

Yes. For a while he was mostly living on shrimp and occasionally krill, which he seemed fine with. When this started happening, we tried to give him some raw chicken and he didn't go for it

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

The plants sound like a good idea, but won't he eat the algae eater? I had placed a butterfly loach in there thinking it'd help keep it clean and the thing was eaten within a few hours. It was small mind you, but still.

And haha, I guess it WOULD be a win/win situation, but I would feel bad Algae-eaters are living things too! (I don't live-feed my piranha, obviously)

You already sacrificed a beaaaautiful butterfly loach and that thing had no chance from the get go.

 

[Dez]

You already sacrificed a beaaaautiful butterfly loach and that thing had no chance from the get go.

The people at the pet store 'assured' me that so long as it had a place to hide, its speed (That thing was DAMN quick) would make sure it got away, or something like that.

Trust me, I felt HORRIBLE after and I still do every time I think about it. If I could go back, I wouldn't have done it. I'm an animal-lover to the very core I just don't want to make that mistake again and cost any other fishies their lives.

 

[jao209]

more detail would help, but raise the temps to 82-84, insure proper cover for fish, think about reducing light, make sure you provide for water oxygentation(air stone or water fall), throw something live in there for it, maybe it will dissappear, or maybe your fish is terminally ill, in that case prepare the toilet!