IS THIS NORMAL ?!?

[neakdasneak03]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0 ppm

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0 ppm

If yes, what is your nitrate?

15-20ppm

If I did not test my water...

1. ...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?

11-20%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

Hi guys, I just recently got an Australia Wolf Fish (Hoplias Australis). When he arrived in the mail he seemed okay. He was eating and seeming okay. After a couple of days (today), he started breathing real heavy? Anyone know if this is normal or if they typically breathe like this?

 

[Midwater]

11-20% per week is not much of a water change.

 

[neakdasneak03]

11-20% per week is not much of a water change.

Hi, it’s it a 20 gallon quarantine tank and I don’t want to ruin the beneficial bacteria…

 

[Midwater]

Hi, it’s it a 20 gallon quarantine tank and I don’t want to ruin the beneficial bacteria…

Water changes won't.

 

[duanes]

As said,
you could do a 50% water change every day and will not effect benificial bacteria in any negative way.
In fact 50% WCs might do the fish some good.

 

[neutrino]

If you haven't already, the first thing I'd do is test your water quality to make sure that's not the issue with him in a small tank/small water changes, considering that fast breathing can be an ammonia/nitrite issue. If you took the filter (or some media for the filter) from an established tank, water changes won't bother the beneficial bacteria, which are attached to surfaces like media, substrate, etc. Another basic is whether there's enough aeration-- not trying to insult you, I'm just trying to cover the bases. I'd also feed lightly while in quarantine. How big is he?