HELP! My Flowerhorn is losing color and not eating

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
J

jessie gonzales

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Apr 23, 2017
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Yesterday I noticed he has lost a lot of his color, hump has shrank, stayed at the bottom corner of the tank and he's not eating. I immediately did a water change and he started swimming around, which I'm glad. He also is has labored breathing. After researching around, my guess is he has either ammonia/nitrate poisoning. I lost my test kit during a recent move so I have yet to get a new one.

What should I do? I did another water change today (2nd day). I'm going to the store to buy the kit but is there anything else I should put in to make it better? First time fish owner and I'm a little clueless
 
Do u have an air pump running on ur tank? u could try aquarium salt too.
 
If you think its new tank syndrome (nitrite/ammonia) do tons of water changes. Even untill you get your new test kit. The only way to fix nitrite and ammonia is to get it out of there by alot of water changes. Do you or any of your friends have an aquarium thats established to steal some seeded media from?
 
As mentioned check ur water with a liquid kit. Post ur numbers. Make sure ur filtration is adequate. Wait it out and may have to rely on water changes for a while till things have settled and you’ve got ur filtration in check.
 
After 2 water changes, these are the results. Ammonia I’m guessing is ok. pH I’m not sure?

My fish is already active, but still not eating. Should I add aquarium salt?

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Need to get the nitrite and nitrate. Can add some Epsom salt 1tbsp per 5g. It’ll help a better than salt at this time.
 
Some fish are stressed at pH of ~5. Yours is <= 6 which is definitely low enough to suppress nitrification. Whether it's affecting your fish remains to be seen. It's worthy remedying for the other issues low pH can cause.

Test nitrite.
 
Is this a red dragon or zz flowerhorn? In my experience they are really sensitive with nitrates and ammonia. Would suggest big water change, salt and air pump. Like atleast 60-70%.

If its a kamfa, then thats a different situation.
 
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