aro wont eat and stays in one spot

[rypivolks]

i did a 30% water change 5 days ago and since then he hasnt eatten anything and just stays at the top in one spot. hes a siliver and is about 16" long.

also i was wondering if i need a air stone? right now im running a rena filstar xp2 and a xp3 in a 120 gallon tank.

 

[rypivolks]

It seems like he's just floating there and not really moving. Also I noticed his skin looks like it has white furry stuff on it like mold. Normally he swims back and forth happy as can be. I'm worried something is wrong. Please help.

 

[cc247]

larger aros can fast for random times as they get bigger... it is not uncommon for one to stop eating for a couple weeks... as for the not swimming around... what are your water levels? and what are the dims of the tank?

 

[Adrius]

add some corse salt or aquarium salt next to the well oxygenated parts of the tank, not too much...about 2 handfulls. it helps the mold fall off.

 

[Kaya]

Can you please post some pics.. if you could get some close up shots of the white stuff that you have mentioned.. you could add an air stone in there.. how comfy is your aro with you? Is he being skittish in anyway..

 

[rypivolks]

tank is 5' long 16" deep and 26" tall. im doing the water levels now.
so this mold stuff is normal? just at some aquarium salt?
ill try to post pics and no hes not skittish and never really has been.

also i noticed my pleco going up the the surface often to get air? is that something they normally do?

also i have that white hase on the water surface. im pretty sure its protein. is it bad and is there a way to not have/ get rid of it without having a protein skimmer?

 

[rypivolks]

ph is 6.8
ammonia is .25 ppm
nitrite is 0 ppm
nitrate looks to be 40 or 80ppm! that seems a bit high.

 

[Gshock]

ph is 6.8
ammonia is .25 ppm
nitrite is 0 ppm
nitrate looks to be 40 or 80ppm! that seems a bit high.

I would worry about that ammonia before the nitrate. If you're planning to add aquarium salt, never toss it in directly. Fully dissolve in a 5 gallon bucket with tank water and then pour into your tank. If it's just fungus, 2-3 pounds of salt per 100 gallons should be sufficient.

 

[dookie]

aros hate cold water. make sure the temp is high. 84F

 

[Gshock]

aros hate cold water. make sure the temp is high. 84F

You really want him to turn up the heat before he fixes the ammonia issue?