My Pacus are in horrible health...I need help please!!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
So....basically I have no clue if the ammonia is clearing up or not....So....am I stressing for nothing? How am I supposed to know what to do next? How long until its an actual reading again?
 
wigglesdetroit;4887240; said:
Sure you do. The test is correct, and as ammonia lowers the latest results will reflect as such.


prime doesn't mess with the test, your test results will be correct, it just makes the anmonia less dangerous for the fish.

hope your fish pull through
 
After putting in Prime this morning and doing a water change (50%) yesterday, the ammonia has gone up from 1 to 2. I have Ammo Chips, should I add those to the filter?
 
Poets_Love;4887495; said:
After putting in Prime this morning and doing a water change (50%) yesterday, the ammonia has gone up from 1 to 2. I have Ammo Chips, should I add those to the filter?

Do another 50% water change this morning, and probably another 50% tonight, the more changing the better.
 
Today I've moved the one Pacu that will actually eat a little into the 75 gallon tank with the Oscars and a few other fish. The two that are in the worst shape I put in the other 75 gallon with several smaller fish and a pretty good size algae eater. The algae eater is normally pretty laid back and stays in the same place. Since I've put the Pacus in, hes been tormenting them....chasing them....I thought at first maybe they had bumped him and startled him but after watching them for a while, hes literally after them. Should I move him out too? Hes probably a foot long if not longer. If I move him, my only option will be to the 125 gallon tank (I did leave an alage eater in there), my daughters 40 gallon tank with those little mickey mouse fish, or an empty 10 gallon tank.....any suggestions?
 
The algae eaters (plecos) will deal with the water conditions better than the Pacu's will for sure. And if your pacu's are stressed due to water conditions, they need to be left alone by the other fish.

Only a suggestion, but water change the 125 some more and transplant that pleco away from the pacu's.

Glad you haven't lost any fish yet, but I do see a MUCH larger tank needed for these fish in about 6 months! (500 gallon range...)

Either that or get to know your local aquarium to see if they take donations. Pacu's get HUGE- think 24" diameter fish...That's wider and taller than your current 125.
 
I'm very aware of how large these fish get. I see a custom tank in our very near future. We moved all Pacus out of the 125 gallon tank last night, the two in the worse shape went in a 75 gallon with smaller cichlids. The more healthier one, if you can call him healthy, went in with the larger Oscars. All were alive this morning, but the worst one took a hit from the alage eater and the other cichlids. We had no other choice but to move him back to the 125 gallon and my boyfriend has done 3 water changes in it today alone. The ammonia level is down to 1, and I know thats not the best, but its alot better than it was. The worst one...his eyes are blood red, theres no film over them now....and it looks like maybe one of the other cichlids ate at his top lip or something...its like he can't close his mouth. The other is in the 125 gallon now too...once we moved the worst one back, the cichlids started to pick on and nip at the one that was left. I'm to the point of doing anything to save them, even though I know they would be in less pain if I would just let them die.....but I can't bring myself to do that.....I've had enough things die in my life lately....
 
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