Geo's compacted by sand?

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J

JoelR

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 15, 2006
560
5
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Jacksonville FL
I've got, or had 6 Geophagus Surinamensis and 6 Acaricthys Heckelii and a few other fish all in the same tank. The tank looks incredible with 3M color quarts sand for them to sift through, etc. It's my favorite tank. The problem is, The Surnamenisis started acting weird, one at a time. They start with clamped fins (bottom & tail) then start wobbling, next thing you know, they are on their side. All of which only takes a day or so. This is only happening to the Surnamenisis. They are not getting bullied. They are eating great up to the fin clamping.

The water parameters are great!

I added Melafix, salt, and raised the heat to 82. After a week of that, I returned the carbon and removed the drift wood (just in case). They are still slowly going, one after another. I'm down to my last one.

Does anyone think they may be ingesting too much sand? I'm out of ideas.

Thanks,
Joel
 
How course is the sand? While Eartheaters generally don't ingest sand it can be presumed that it does happen and is then passed. I'm not familiar with 3M sand but if it's jagged or possibly even slightly toxic in some manner, ingestion of it would probably lead to similar issues.

I imagine the A. heckelii are also sifting after feeding - although they're generally less vigorous when it comes to turning over the substrate.

Couple of questions.

Diet?
Depth of sand?

At this stage I'd have to say forget the Melafix, drop the heat back down to something more regular (although eartheaters, particularly A. heckelii don't mind it quite high). If it's at all possible, try setting up a small hospital tank for your last "Surinamensis", with a different type of sand, and see if he has any issues.
 
japes;2955331; said:
How course is the sand? While Eartheaters generally don't ingest sand it can be presumed that it does happen and is then passed. I'm not familiar with 3M sand but if it's jagged or possibly even slightly toxic in some manner, ingestion of it would probably lead to similar issues.

I imagine the A. heckelii are also sifting after feeding - although they're generally less vigorous when it comes to turning over the substrate.

Couple of questions.

Diet?
Depth of sand?

At this stage I'd have to say forget the Melafix, drop the heat back down to something more regular (although eartheaters, particularly A. heckelii don't mind it quite high). If it's at all possible, try setting up a small hospital tank for your last "Surinamensis", with a different type of sand, and see if he has any issues.
Click to expand...

I feed a varied diet of several different flakes, pellets, etc. Along with frozen B.S., B.W., & Mysis shrimp, a couple times a week..

They sand is smooth fine grain and is 1 -2" deep.

I'll move the last one into a different tank & see what happens.
 
Is it T grade 3m or S grade 3m? The T is larger and rougher than the S.
 
Well I believe it was the drift wood. I took it out and replaced the carbon and the last Surinamensis seems to be doing great! Now I have to replace the ones I lost. :irked:
 
i am glad you found out what it is ... i am moving this to the disease and health issues forum so others can be warned..
 
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