arowana VERY skittish

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I'm certain the Toxivec worked to some degree but that would only be temporary. It is quite possible that you could be having a nitrite spike without signs of ammonia. Nitrites are just as toxic and it takes just as long for the bacteria that consume nitrites to become efficient as it does for the bacteria that consume ammonia.

Having said that, give the aro some time. If it nibbled, that's a good sign. Don't force the issue. Try again tomorrow.
 
Chaitika;4677840; said:
Garlic might entice the fish, but if your filtration is not up to par, why add to the problems?
Click to expand...
None of the other fish are acting strangely. I had plants and clams to fight water pollution, and I do water changes weekly. In other words I don't yet know for sure if ammonia/nitrite is the problem. So getting the arowana to eat is my top priority.

How long can an 8'' arowana survive without eating? This is the 4th day.
 
be careful with salt or any medications, because you risk killing the clams and all your plants.
 
I did a 10% before Toxivec. I only add rested water to the tank, and I didn't have any more at that point. My regular 30% water change is tomorrow. No salt added yet, but I bought some non-iodised salt just in case. I may go for a salt bath instead of sprinkling the tank, but I won't do anything before the fish accepts food. I'll seek a nitrite test tomorrow to cover all my bases.

I'm now marinating some anchovy in garlic juice. It's a great relief to know that they can go for weeks without food, though. I'll also give some bottom pellets today, because my other fish seem to be starving. Thanks for all the advice.
 
No feeding today either, damn. The garlic trick didn't work. The arowana definitely noticed and followed the food, but didn't accept it. It only swallowed a very small piece of anchovy floating in the water. And the other inhabitants are eating like pigs. My ghost knife, usually a very reticent fish, abandoned its nautilus shell and seized itself a good chunk of anchovy, lol.

I'd consider getting some small fish like neon tetras to catch its eye, but the fish won't even touch the butterfly loaches in the same tank. I doubt it would eat any. The only improvement is that it's definitely calmer today. It didn't jump like mad for once.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom