I think my aro is sick or something, just hear me out

[PoopSmart]

Ok I saw my arowana this morning and his left fin looked like it had been singed or something. It was black and ratty on the ends and had a little hole in it towards the edge. But once you get about 1/4-1/3 the way up the fin it looks normal. Is this some sort of fin rot? I immediatly thought heater burn, but my heater has a cover on it for my (soon to be) ray.


He is eating even more vigorously than yesterday, sniffing out pellets and striking them, but that fin has me concerned.

I have school in 30 minutes so I don't have any pics, but has anyone had the same experience? My water parameters are straight, he's in a 75 with 2 senegal bichirs running an XP2, biowheel 350, and powerhead sponge filter.

I am going to do a water change in between classes today and throw a little salt in there. I am really worried. He is about 7-8 inches total length, and I got him at about 3 inches exactly a month ago tomorrow.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

 

[gonnelro]

I dont know about the fin, but just letting you know, be prepared to need a bigger tank for your aro. Usually they grow about 2" or so a month. Im guessing your 75 is 4' across? If so, in about a year and a half or so your aro is going to be very cramped. I currently have a 14" aro in a 90 gallon tank and I am in the works of saving up cash for a 8" tank (probably around 300 gallons, gonna house rays and the aro). As far as your aro, Ive never experienced any fin rot problems like that with an aro - check your water parameters again anyway, even though you said their straight. I assume by straight you meen 0 ammonia and nitrites and relatively low nitrates? Keep a close eye on it, and I dont know, hopefully somebody here will have some advice. With some other fish I had success treating fin rot with tetracycline (rainbow shark, parrots), but I dont know enough about meds to give you any concrete advice. Good luck, hope it goes away soon. Any o yea, the ray will also be very cramped in that 75 very soon.

 

[PoopSmart]

You can't keep an arowana in a 75 gallon tank? Ever? I think if I put him in a bigger tank it would be more difficult to feed him.

He's only 8 inches from head to to tip of tail, the tank is like an ecosystem for him at the moment. I am fully aware of the size they can attain and have planned accordingly, but thank you for reminding me how big they get.


He is looking a little better, I think he might have just torn it on something (probably the hanging driftwood) since he likes to jump over plants to get food instead of going around them.

 

[aeri]

75G is too small to last forever. But at 8" it's ok.

If it's eating 'vigorously' then it's fine. It probably just hurt itself on an ornament or jumping into the top.

 

[gonnelro]

Good to hear your aro looks better. As Im sure you know, they dart fast as anything and often injure themselves like that. The lfs I go to had a full-grown aro in a 265, and it often smashed against the side and busts up its face. Poor guy. Anyways, glad to hear yours is better and that you are planning on putting him in a bigger home when he needs it. I think you and I are pretty much in the same boat with our aros.

 

[gonnelro]

Btw, saw your other thread. Sorry bout the girlfriend. Dont worry, it will bring you down for a little while, but thats totally normal, and youll come out of it and find somebody else without a doubt.