Arowana brushing side on substrate

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Rtc/tsn

Rtc/tsn

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Apr 22, 2021
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Cincinnati
Have you tested your water?
Yes
If I did not test my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
Do you do water changes?
Yes
What percentage of water do you change?
41-50%
How frequently do you change your water?
Every two weeks
If I do not change my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
He’s only done it twice I’ve never seen this in my arowana before but I have in cichlids in the past and it usually means low oxygen or stress and the oxygen in my tank is good but I’ve had my filter out the last 3-4 days because I’ve been treating with melafix for an infection on my giraffe catfish(he’s been getting better) so now my nitrite is up a bit more than I should be but I did a small water change tonight and put filter media back in and doing another small water change tomorrow night and the night after to see if that helps which it should none of my other fish show signs of stress and the arowana doesn’t get bullied at all just wondering if anyone else has any advice
 
The behavior you seem to be describing is called "flashing", and it is more often than not a sign of parasites of some sort in the tank.

As far as removing the filter, there is no need to remove the filter when using melafix or other medications, if you were recommended to do that the person probably meant to remove the carbon from the filter since the carbon will remove the medication.

What do all your parameters look like and what are you using to test the water? If you haven't done so already you should get the API master test kit, it's far more accurate than test strips and is a lot cheaper, it's around $20-$25 on amazon and will last you a long time.

Lastly, what are the symptoms like with the giraffe catfish, and have any other fish in the tank been displaying signs of infection?
 
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Thank you I didn’t think of parasites so tomorrow I’ll order some praziquantel and soak the food in it before feeding
 
FuriousFish said:
The behavior you seem to be describing is called "flashing", and it is more often than not a sign of parasites of some sort in the tank.

As far as removing the filter, there is no need to remove the filter when using melafix or other medications, if you were recommended to do that the person probably meant to remove the carbon from the filter since the carbon will remove the medication.

What do all your parameters look like and what are you using to test the water? If you haven't done so already you should get the API master test kit, it's far more accurate than test strips and is a lot cheaper, it's around $20-$25 on amazon and will last you a long time.

Lastly, what are the symptoms like with the giraffe catfish, and have any other fish in the tank been displaying signs of infection?
Click to expand...
I’ll get an api kit this week and I just read the directions on the bottle and I use activated carbon filters I know I need to upgrade my filtration but this has been working just fine but I’ve always taken all filter media out and never had a problem and there’s no signs of infection or disease in any other fish but the giraffe catfish is getting a lot better it’s fin is slowly growing back and the sore isn’t as red and my water has high nitrates and nitrites due to my filter media being out for several days but it’s back in and I’ll be doing small water changes for a couple days until it levels back out (the solution to pollution bod dilution) I’ll post a pic of the giraffe catfish fin and my water parameters
 
Can you also show the side of the bottle with the labels? I can only see nitrates which seems slightly high but I think its hardness is at the top which is insanely high
 
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Kolton13 said:
Can you also show the side of the bottle with the labels? I can only see nitrates which seems slightly high but I think its hardness is at the top which is insanely high
Click to expand...
Yea the hardness is incredibly high all of my fish tanks are that way it’s just cause if where I live
 
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