Massive Loss RIP GATF
- Thread starter BigJ
- Start date
I agree....one of the coolest specimens I have seen on MFK and my favorite species.
You were lucky as hell to have had an opportunity to keep him. I wonder if a floating plastic eggcrate material would prevent something like that. Its running into a completely immovable object that generates the high g-force trauma (see Dale Earnhart's fatal crash)....as long as the object he runs into has even a little give, it would lessen the impact tremendously. As you said, tigerfish have such incredible strength and ability to accelerate to high speeds in a VERY confined space, it makes accidents such as this a high possibility. Still, they are soooo cool, the risk is worth it. Sorry for your loss.
You were lucky as hell to have had an opportunity to keep him. I wonder if a floating plastic eggcrate material would prevent something like that. Its running into a completely immovable object that generates the high g-force trauma (see Dale Earnhart's fatal crash)....as long as the object he runs into has even a little give, it would lessen the impact tremendously. As you said, tigerfish have such incredible strength and ability to accelerate to high speeds in a VERY confined space, it makes accidents such as this a high possibility. Still, they are soooo cool, the risk is worth it. Sorry for your loss.
BraveheartCalif;3480921; said:
This is where we differ with all respect. I've been told by some of the very best in the hobby salt is key, imo. As stressed as GATF can get it seem's to have a calming affect on them. And i don't add pound's of salt. Just a few cup's maybe. He had it in his water from 3''-15''. I've not seen a bigger one in the US?
I have alot of respect for your input. And even more on this type fish (wolf/atf/ect..) Why would you not use salt? Maybe change my mind? Share your knowlage? There's alway's more to learn for sure. And i'd like to know all there is to know about Goliath ATF. So i might keep them Happy for life. Like i hope to do with my 5''er.
Sorry for your loss. I am certain this will be the fate of mine as well. What size was the tank and how big was the gatf? I have a 13-14" or so in my 300 right now and he rams the sides hard when spooked. He already needs a much larger tank at this size. If I could find anyone with a huge tank I would gladly give him up, though the move would be quite tricky.
I agree, salt didn't kill this fish. I have yet to see an adverse effect from using salt in 20 years of fishkeeping, and that includes all the supposedly 'sensitive' species like cories and the like.
fast moving fish can literally kill themselves.
its no diffrenent than when a bird flies into a window. what happens? trouble.
I have had a big pink tailed chalceus do the same thing when my nephew hit my tank with a soccer ball. fish hit the glass at 40 miles per hour.
was upside down instantly. died an hour later..
it happens..
fast moving fish can literally kill themselves.
its no diffrenent than when a bird flies into a window. what happens? trouble.
I have had a big pink tailed chalceus do the same thing when my nephew hit my tank with a soccer ball. fish hit the glass at 40 miles per hour.
was upside down instantly. died an hour later..
it happens..
Even the best in the hobby as you put it are exactly that hobbyists (uncredited and novices) Talk to a Phd or a PHARM PHD with an emphasis in fish science. Who specialize in nothing but medications for treating fish. And youll see why tropical fish farms and aquaculture industry experts dont use salt. We are talking about millions of dollars in fish inventory and youll never see them using salt. Even the worlds top Japanese koi breeders dont use salt to treat there 50k top show koi. Here is one of several reasons: Fish have one circuit and two heart chambers in their circulatory system. Blood collects in the atrium and moves to the ventricle where it is pumped first to the gills to collect oxygen, then to the body to deliver the oxygen to tissues. Since the blood does not return to the heart after moving through the gills, it has low pressure as it moves through the body.
So fish have low blood pressure. Water follows salt. When a freshwater fish (fresh) is introduced to salt. Its blood pressure rises which causes stress (hypertension) which raises cortisol levels - then the fish dies. If you ran into a wall with your head when there is trauma. Would taking a teaspoon of salt help you? of course not it will raise your blood pressure as well. im sure your gatf died from spinal cord injury but throwing some salt in there did nothing at such a low amount or raised its blood pressure. Which in both cases dont help. So then why use it...
If you want to use homeopathic tonics to treat an expensive fish we have our free wills. But the real knowledge and expertise is with people who do this stuff for a living and are degreed w/ PHD's. I just happen know one personally im married to one. And when it was explained to me on a scientific level the danger of salt. Then when i talked to another person with a PHD whos in the fish industry he confirmed to me the exact samr thing. I realized i too was using something that I didnt know nothing about. Other than so and so respected hobbyist uses it. So if its good enough for him ill use it.
So fish have low blood pressure. Water follows salt. When a freshwater fish (fresh) is introduced to salt. Its blood pressure rises which causes stress (hypertension) which raises cortisol levels - then the fish dies. If you ran into a wall with your head when there is trauma. Would taking a teaspoon of salt help you? of course not it will raise your blood pressure as well. im sure your gatf died from spinal cord injury but throwing some salt in there did nothing at such a low amount or raised its blood pressure. Which in both cases dont help. So then why use it...
If you want to use homeopathic tonics to treat an expensive fish we have our free wills. But the real knowledge and expertise is with people who do this stuff for a living and are degreed w/ PHD's. I just happen know one personally im married to one. And when it was explained to me on a scientific level the danger of salt. Then when i talked to another person with a PHD whos in the fish industry he confirmed to me the exact samr thing. I realized i too was using something that I didnt know nothing about. Other than so and so respected hobbyist uses it. So if its good enough for him ill use it.
BigJ;3481588; said:This is where we differ with all respect. I've been told by some of the very best in the hobby salt is key, imo. As stressed as GATF can get it seem's to have a calming affect on them. And i don't add pound's of salt. Just a few cup's maybe. He had it in his water from 3''-15''. I've not seen a bigger one in the US?
I have alot of respect for your input. And even more on this type fish (wolf/atf/ect..) Why would you not use salt? Maybe change my mind? Share your knowlage? There's alway's more to learn for sure. And i'd like to know all there is to know about Goliath ATF. So i might keep them Happy for life. Like i hope to do with my 5''er.
There was a huge atf on the other board, guy had it in california.......named him KING. To grow it out it was in a 750 or 800 gallon tank. I think it has died in the last year or so, it was the first GATF in the states.
Just looked it up, last time they posted KING was over 20 inches long, guy got him in 04.
Just looked it up, last time they posted KING was over 20 inches long, guy got him in 04.
