Bowfin breathing hard.

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Tramonte172

Gambusia
MFK Member
Jun 12, 2010
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My fish room
My 11" bowfin has always breathed a little hard. It seems to be getting worse as of late (I got him last July). He eats mainly shrimp stuffed with hikari foods. His params are great. He is in a 75 by himself with 2 Emperor 400s and a Eheim 2217. I do a 50% wc twice per week. He does not get live food.

Any suggestions.
 
i had something funky going on in my tank not to long ago. my fish looked like they were breathing really fast. pics are under the columnaris thread. im not saying thats what i had i still am unsure what it was but melafix and pimafix cured it....took about 1 1/2 weeks though. best of luck to ya. sounds like you take VERY good care of him.
 
rjssniper;5068652; said:
i had something funky going on in my tank not to long ago. my fish looked like they were breathing really fast. pics are under the columnaris thread. im not saying thats what i had i still am unsure what it was but melafix and pimafix cured it....took about 1 1/2 weeks though. best of luck to ya. sounds like you take VERY good care of him.
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Thanks. I'll give it a try.
 
Whats you parameters like? Water temp?

I always catch them around areas that have a high oxygen levels. Like near dams and rivers with good flowing water. I would add an air pump or a power head with an air line attachment to increase the oxygen level.
 
few tips, you should look into getting an air pump into the tank even a small one, even drop the water level of the tank so the water from the hang of the back filters falls into the tank which adds oxygen that really helps
 
a bowfin does not need alot of oxygen.. they are actually kown for there ability to survive in murky oxigen deprived waters. they will come to the surface for air if need be. I ould try the meds dont waste time with more air stones..

I have caught and left these fish on shore over night and the next morning watched one flop its way back into the lake and swim away shortly after.. they are hard to kill!
 
The_Nuge;5069544; said:
a bowfin does not need alot of oxygen.. they are actually kown for there ability to survive in murky oxigen deprived waters. they will come to the surface for air if need be. I ould try the meds dont waste time with more air stones..

I have caught and left these fish on shore over night and the next morning watched one flop its way back into the lake and swim away shortly after.. they are hard to kill!
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Why wud you leave it on shore to die? :screwy:

But yes they have very little need for water soluble oxygen as they breath air. Melafix / pima fix combo may help as it wud be a very general cure BUT be warned they if he is breathing heavy (which is the reason you made this thread) that melafix / pimafix have the ability to further sufficate fish.

I would dose lightly with those medications and keep an eye on him. Best of luck

Cheers
 
Mikeyy;5069621; said:
Why wud you leave it on shore to die? :screwy:

Cheers
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To do the "noble" thing and rid the country of the menace totally unrelated but ever so slightly similar in appearance to the poor ole Bowfin!

He probably thought he had caught a snakehead!
 
Thanks for the advice. I'll get the meds over the weekend. BTW I do have a 12" bubble wand in the tank that he often "plays" on.
 
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