My First Flowerhorn :) But I see Stress bar always

[SutharsanY]

Hello !

I am Sutharsan from India

I am Betta Fish hobbiest over 2 Yrs. Only having One Betta fish in 15G Planted Tank since 2013.

Last Week I bought new Flowerhorn Zz (I guess). He is 5" in length.

My Tank is 2.5ft (L) x 1ft (w) x 1ft (filled depth). 85 Liters tank with pure white gravel , filter and heater Also Background and light.

I always turn off Light and Filter at night.
Sometimes Turn off light during day time too.

1. His size is 5" . What will be his age ?
2. Most times I see stress bars on his body. I have no idea why

Here is the pics. Sorry for Potato Cam photos and Bad English

 

[predatorkeeper87]

why would you turnthe filter off at night? that's not wise my friend.

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I'll get the questions that EVERYONE is going to ask right off the bat.

Whats your water change schedule like?

Do you have a bigger tank for him?

What/how often do you feed him?

Why do you turn the filter off at night?

 

[SutharsanY]

I'll get the questions that EVERYONE is going to ask right off the bat.

Whats your water change schedule like?

Do you have a bigger tank for him?

What/how often do you feed him?

Why do you turn the filter off at night?

1. Bought last week. Planning to change 30% every 2 weeks.
2. If big tank is necessary for him now, I can get it.
3. I feed him OCEAN FREE Humpy Head pellets. 5 pellets morning and another 5 at night.
4. My fish want to sleep. Filter water movement may disturb him. (I turn off filter for my Betta fish at night over 2 years )

 

[convict360]

Hi,

congratulations on picking up a nice FH. If you are open to opinions, mine would be that if you want to keep your fish at maximum health; that you upgrade to at least a 200 litre tank; making sure that you have a much larger sized filter than you'd have for a betta, and that it remains 'ON' constantly.

Betta's can do well in low oxygen content due to possessing physiology that helps them to adapt to periods of low flow etc, belonging to the anabantid family; flowerhorns are vastly different, and require strong oxygen levels to stay healthy.

 

[SutharsanY]

Hi,

congratulations on picking up a nice FH. If you are open to opinions, mine would be that if you want to keep your fish at maximum health; that you upgrade to at least a 200 litre tank; making sure that you have a much larger sized filter than you'd have for a betta, and that it remains 'ON' constantly.

Betta's can do well in low oxygen content due to possessing physiology that helps them to adapt to periods of low flow etc, belonging to the anabantid family; flowerhorns are vastly different, and require strong oxygen levels to stay healthy.

Thanks

I will get bigger tank very soon.
Yea, Fw's filter is much stronger than Betta's filter.
I will keep Filter ON then.

Any idea that what will my Fw's age?

 

[Fish100]

Also I would add some more wAter to your tank it will quite down your filter

 

[Ihsnshaik]

I see you have a hang on filtr. You can add more water to your tank and less water movement but never let the filter turn off at night. You have no aeration in the tank he might live no problem but its not healthy for him. Its like sleeping in a non ventilated closet. Sure we might live and be fine but it's not something we like. That's another point the tank is suitable for him now but when he gets bigger might want to upgrade.

What part of India are you from?

Stress bars are caused by simply stress. Can be water quality, lack of aeration, lack of filtration and can be a combination of things.
What is your temperature on your heater?

If this was my fish I would never let the filtration turn off but if you want to go ahead more to you if you think this is the best for him but I would keep a sponge filter on always.

Another thing that can cause stress bars or you think its stress bars is awaking your fish. When the lights are closed and you open the lights it can cause a change in color which is normal.

Beautiful fish though.

 

[Ihsnshaik]

Thanks

I will get bigger tank very soon.
Yea, Fw's filter is much stronger than Betta's filter.
I will keep Filter ON then.

Any idea that what will my Fw's age?

The age of your fish can be 3-6 months IMO depends what kind of tank it was before and how it was raised. A flowerhorn in a proper setup will reach its peak potential in a year and slowly grow from there.

If its a healthy flowerhorn normal growth should be 1-2 inches per month depends on diet and clean water. I bought a 4 inch flowerhorn and its been two months hes about 6-7 inches. He eats like crazy and is a male. Females tend to grow much slower but yours looks like a male

 

[Rivers2k]

I would also add some decorations he can hide in. Being out in the open is likely stressing him it isn't natural for the fish.