Big dovii and hole in the head

[cchhcc]

I was actually afraid of doing too many water changes. The fish is very hardy so I never treat the water but I will certainly try and monitor it from here on..
I know I need a bigger tank and that is in the plans.

This sums up the issue. I'm not trying to be overly critical, but here's some hard truth.

A large fish of any type needs LOTS of huge water changes even is the right tank. When cramped, a large fish will foul its water only that much faster.

A large dovii in a 120 (which is a problem even with perfect water) will need regular water changes on the scale of a couple a week in the 50-75% range irrespective of the filtration present. Judging by your setup, you need to do a thorough gravel vacuuming with each change. Also, your filtration is a bit modest, so water changes are even more important.

That fish is jacked up with HITH from environmental causes. There is something wrong with its mouth also. I can't tell if it is a congenital deformity or if it is sturcturally damaged or dislocated.

I noticed a feeder in the tank. Feeders are of little nutritional value by the time they get to your retailer, and the carry a host of diseases often. Your fish would be healthier with pellets.

Keeping these large fish is not difficult. What IS difficult is being realistic with respect to the needs of the fish and one's own likelihood of providing them.

 

[danny2875]

Did your dovii break its jaw? Its not suppose to look like that. I wouldnt keep teasing him with a laser. The next glassbang could be his last.

 

[danny2875]

Plus keeping him in a 120? You can keep the smaller of the parachromis in that size tank like RTM,Freddies,Loiselli. 20in dovii needs to be in 180+. I have mine in my 300g and doing great. If you put a female in with him in that 120 she is a goner.

 

[ettfettbranamn]

I'm with the fellas.. he is a gorgeous specimen! congrats on keeping him that long and getting him to that size! you need a 180 min for him, anything less is unfair to that beast! plus, for now change 75% of the water per week to keep the parameters in check.. and give us the parameters as well!

 

[mto]

As soon as I get it tested I will post them
Yeah I did stop doing the LASER thing and anything else that makes him impulsively bash into the walls. I am not sure what is up with his jaws, I know he flares them up when I get around the tank they are not near that flared when I’m peaking around the corner. I know when he swallowed that 7in placo his head looked like it was twice the normal size. I was assuming it was going to kill him but perhaps that messed his mouth up. I am always afraid that he is going to knock his fangs out attacking the glass. About two months ago he had a tooth hanging out of his mouth. Im pretty sure it was a natural shedding but one of these days I hope to collect one of them after it falls out. I am going to hit this hole in the head with everything I was told to do on here.

 

[Sarah88]

As soon as I get it tested I will post them
Yeah I did stop doing the LASER thing and anything else that makes him impulsively bash into the walls. I am not sure what is up with his jaws, I know he flares them up when I get around the tank they are not near that flared when I’m peaking around the corner. I know when he swallowed that 7in placo his head looked like it was twice the normal size. I was assuming it was going to kill him but perhaps that messed his mouth up. I am always afraid that he is going to knock his fangs out attacking the glass. About two months ago he had a tooth hanging out of his mouth. Im pretty sure it was a natural shedding but one of these days I hope to collect one of them after it falls out. I am going to hit this hole in the head with everything I was told to do on here.

its really refreshing to see a person come on here and actually take our advice wholeheartedly and plan to make changes for the betterment of their fish's life, you would be surprised how many people come on here for "help" and then ignore everything we say so BRAVO to you man!! and GOOD LUCK with your MONSTER, you should have many more years with your beast once youv implemented these changes (oh and FYI for big waterchanges make sure to add back water from your sink at the same temp of the tank so there isnt a really big temp swing that is the only bad thing about big waterchanges but as long as you put back in warm water then he will really enjoy those big water changes i know my cichlids do!!)

 

[cchhcc]

Sarah, no doubt! That IS refreshing. The OP will be able to enjoy his fish for years to come!

 

[mto]

I keep seeing comments on here over how long I have had this fish. So I am curious, do fish not usually live this long or do people get new fish more often?

 

[Ang]

everyone gave you awesome info for helping your Dovii. I could tell by your love of the fish you would be open to all helpful criticism.

And do wholeheartedly agree that his tank is much too small. I didnt realize the one in the video WAS the 120. I thought it was the 75!!!

Its always hard to tell from pictures and videos without a frame of reference how big a tank is (at least for me)

I urge you to get some more efficient filtration as well. Those HOB filters are really not adequate enough.
Get an FX5 or something. That way, when you upgrade his tank, you'll already have a good filtration system.

Good luck.

 

[Ang]

I keep seeing comments on here over how long I have had this fish. So I am curious, do fish not usually live this long or do people get new fish more often?

people usually trade them into the LFS or sell them well before they reach the end of their lifespan.

Most of us just keep seeing new and exciting fish we want more than the ones we have.
I've been through lots and lots of fish (traded or sold) I've only kept my one Oscar so far since he was a baby. now he's 5 years old, but he can live until 13+ if I do it right. So can yours