Lesson Learnt...

[phoenixx]

just curious how long you had him for? I got my MJ 8 months ago at 3" from full fresh, and from my research thought they can live for life in full fresh.

Good looking monster though. Sorry for your loss.

 

[Steve_89]

how so? like, how was he or what was he doing?

He became very lazy. This was the kind of fish you could tell when something was wrong. 24/7 this guy would be trying to kill you through the glass and constantly begging for food. When he stopped doing this I knew something was wrong.

He then started getting very pale. Almost a white color. He then started forming spots on his head which also started flaking. He then became very irritated and starting scratching himself upon everything.

I did water changes, added salt and raised temperature but nothing seemed to help.

He stayed like that for about 5 days...I went to work and within 9 or so hours I came home and he was upside down unable to swim. He had also smashed himself quite badly. I actually thought he was getting better because the night before he did eat.

 

[Steve_89]

just curious how long you had him for? I got my MJ 8 months ago at 3" from full fresh, and from my research thought they can live for life in full fresh.

Good looking monster though. Sorry for your loss.

I bought him at that size and had him for just over 3 months.

They can live in full fresh, I know people who do it. But I think in my case he may have lived in brackish conditions in the previous owners tank, which the LFS that sold it to me did not know..or did not chose to tell me when I asked.

 

[Steve_89]

i was kinda expecting this when you got it.

It may not have even been the lack of salt that killed it.

But that is all I can think of right now.

I will be adding a barramundi within the next few days as an experiment.

 

[neoprodigy]

that sux bro

 

[The TRUST]

Aww man! that sucks.

 

[DeLgAdO]

It may not have even been the lack of salt that killed it.

But that is all I can think of right now.

I will be adding a barramundi within the next few days as an experiment.

ill do dome research and see what i can find, that way if there is something you missed we shall be informed and ready for the next time

 

[Steve_89]

ill do dome research and see what i can find, that way if there is something you missed we shall be informed and ready for the next time

Thanks mate...if you find something let me know,

 

[DeLgAdO]

heres what i found from wiki, key info is in bold

Commonly called Mangrove Jack within Australia, the Mangrove red snapper (Lutjanus argentimaculatus) is an explosive and powerful sport fish that is renowned for its superb eating and fighting qualities.

Coloration of the Mangrove Jack ranges from burnt orange, to copper, to bronze and dark reddish-brown, depending on its age and environment. Younger fish caught in estuarine areas are often darker than older fish taken from offshore reef areas,[1] and exhibit lighter vertical bands down their flanks.

Lutjanus argentimaculatus is found in the Indo-Pacific region from Australia in the south to Japan in the north, and as far west as the eastern coast of Africa.[2] Distribution within Australia is largely centered on the northern half of Australia, spreading from northern New South Wales into northern Western Australia.

As its name implies, the Mangrove Jack is commonly found in mangrove-lined estuarine systems although is known to migrate to offshore reefs in order to spawn. As ambush predators, `Jacks' often dwell around mangrove roots, fallen trees, rock walls, and any other snag areas where smaller prey reside for protection. For fishermen, the telltale sign of a hooked Mangrove Jack is the explosive run for cover once the bait (or lure) is taken. Many fish (and again, lures) are lost once they reach the protection of the snags as a result of their initial burst of speed. As they mature, Mangrove Jacks move into open waters, sometimes hundreds of kilometers from the coast[3] in order to breed. These larger fish are sometimes caught by bottom-fishers with heavy tackle, though they still remain difficult to land due to their speed and proximity to sharp reef bottoms.

The Mangrove Jack is a highly regarded table fish with firm, sweet tasting, white flesh. While often a nuisance species when targeting the infamous Barramundi, many fisherman rate the eating qualities of the Jack higher than its more famous neighbour. In reef areas, Mangrove Jack are sometimes confused with red bass (Lutjanus bohar), a known carrier of Ciguatera toxin. They are however easily distinguishable by the large deep pit in front of the eyes of the red bass.

might wanna either keep the water heavily brakish or full sea water.

either which way you go, its important that you use snythetic sea salt.

 

[DeLgAdO]

heres something else

http://www.fao.org/fi/website/FIRetrieveAction.do?dom=species&fid=3134

Habitat and Biology
Juveniles and young adults found in mangrove estuaries and in the lower reaches of freshwater streams. Eventually they migrate offshore to deeper reef areas, sometimes penetrating to depths in excess of 100 m.Habitat frequently consists of areas of abundant shelter in the form of caves or overhanging ledges.Feeds mainly on fishes and crustaceans.
Spawning occurs throughout the year, at least in lower latitudes.

i think adults might need to be full salt