Hi all! I have never posted here before but I need some of your expertise. I own a florida gar and have had it for 4-5 years now. It has always been healthy, no problems whatsoever. Well, yesterday I was checking in the tank and noticed the gar is covered in what looks like clear scales. He has lost almost all of his usually dark beautiful coloring and looks like he is turning translucent. I know this sounds strange. He is resting on the bottom and not nearly as active as usual. I called the aquarium store we got him from and even their fish disease expert has no idea what it could be. Please help if you have any idea what this is. Thanks in advance.
Help Please
- Thread starter Kelly4476
- Start date
pics would def help.
what are your water parameters? aside from stepping up your water change schedule i wouldnt try treating what you are unsure of. adding salt probably wouldnt hurt anything, but who's to say it will help? diagnose it first, then treat it. we really need some good quality pics before we can be much help.
what are your water parameters? aside from stepping up your water change schedule i wouldnt try treating what you are unsure of. adding salt probably wouldnt hurt anything, but who's to say it will help? diagnose it first, then treat it. we really need some good quality pics before we can be much help.
what are the tankmates? sounds like a case of pleco (or similar fish) slime-sucking to me, that's really the main cause of translucent scales. if you can list what other tankmates are in with the fish that would help greatly. if there is a pleco, prochilodus, or synodontis catfish in with the gar, it must be removed. slime sucking can often be fatal with gars as it can often lead to bacterial infections that can not very effectively be treated.
other than removing any problematic tankmates, the basic water change/temp to 82F/1tbsp salt per 20g should also help out--
--solomon
other than removing any problematic tankmates, the basic water change/temp to 82F/1tbsp salt per 20g should also help out--
--solomon
Thanks guys for all your quick replies. We took a sample of the water to be tested today and they said it looked good. We showed them pics of our digital camera and they (Jacks Aquarium) said they think it is just stress. I can't find my camera hook up plug to post pics but I will as soon as I find it. We did a water change, added salt and upped the temp to 82. The gar is in their with a pleco and a catfish (I forget what its actual name is). But they have all been in there together for 4-5 years. Could the pleco just now be causing problems? If so I will move him asap.
