- Have you tested your water?
- Yes
- If yes, what is your ammonia?
- 0
- If yes, what is your nitrite?
- 0
- If yes, what is your nitrate?
- 80
- If I did not test my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
- Do you do water changes?
- Yes
- What percentage of water do you change?
- 21-30%
- How frequently do you change your water?
- Every month
- If I do not change my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
If anyone can help me with advice on my Flowerhorn, it is sorely needed. The only fish I have treated for parasites in the past have been small: My LFS sells Kuhlis especially that are prone to parasites. I got Gurley from my LFS, almost fully grown. (My guess is that he was turned in for not having a big kok.) I've had him at least a year and, in fairness, I rarely feed live. However, a VERY picky Oscar I acquired from someone who had him and his mate in a 60 gallon (I got both of them) has really thrived with weekly additions of ghost shrimp and crickets, so I was giving Gurley and my smaller Flowerhorn a few, as well. None of my other fish got sick, but once Gurley didn't eat for 2 days, I knew something was wrong. After testing his water, I put in a dose of API General Cure.
It wasn't just appetite, btw. All of a sudden, he just looked horrid. He had some white spots on his fins and gills I thought may be fungal, what looked like a scratch on his cornea, and micro bubbles all over him. His color got super dark and his fins were clamped. We're talking a total turnaround in appearance in just a few days! He hardly moved from one spot at the surface.
Well, the day after I dosed the tank, he began to pass a TON of dead parasites. I couldn't believe my eyes! I dosed his tank with Stress Guard daily, as well, and even the fungal-looking stuff and cornea scratches disappeared. His fins spread out, he looked great, and he even got all feisty about trying to attack my finger at the glass, like usual.
My problem is that it's been 2 weeks since treatment ended (including a 25% water change), and he's still not eating. He looks fine, other than his color is pretty faded. (But that improves with feeding.) I'm just wondering if his appetite is taking so long because of his size, or if I should put another dose of meds, or even some garlic or something to stimulate his appetite. (I've never done this, and am wary about all the oils from minced garlic being in his water.)
I REALLY thought I was going to lose him; he looked so awful. I'm glad he looks better, but he has never had any problems with appetite before this. Any advice is welcome! (And, no, no more live foods, for either Flowerhorn, now!)
Oh, and fyi... My nitrates ALWAYS test high. I think I don't do the test right, as all my other fish are fine. But I follow the directions!
It wasn't just appetite, btw. All of a sudden, he just looked horrid. He had some white spots on his fins and gills I thought may be fungal, what looked like a scratch on his cornea, and micro bubbles all over him. His color got super dark and his fins were clamped. We're talking a total turnaround in appearance in just a few days! He hardly moved from one spot at the surface.
Well, the day after I dosed the tank, he began to pass a TON of dead parasites. I couldn't believe my eyes! I dosed his tank with Stress Guard daily, as well, and even the fungal-looking stuff and cornea scratches disappeared. His fins spread out, he looked great, and he even got all feisty about trying to attack my finger at the glass, like usual.
My problem is that it's been 2 weeks since treatment ended (including a 25% water change), and he's still not eating. He looks fine, other than his color is pretty faded. (But that improves with feeding.) I'm just wondering if his appetite is taking so long because of his size, or if I should put another dose of meds, or even some garlic or something to stimulate his appetite. (I've never done this, and am wary about all the oils from minced garlic being in his water.)
I REALLY thought I was going to lose him; he looked so awful. I'm glad he looks better, but he has never had any problems with appetite before this. Any advice is welcome! (And, no, no more live foods, for either Flowerhorn, now!)
Oh, and fyi... My nitrates ALWAYS test high. I think I don't do the test right, as all my other fish are fine. But I follow the directions!
