My Red Tail Barracuda

[Otherone]

I noticed my Yellowtail stopped eating when I had the tank overstocked with no places to hide (floating branches, logs, etc.). Another thing that caused mine to stop eating was when my nitrates got up past about 40ppm. Not 100% sure about the nitrates, but once they lowered he began eating again. My Yellowtail has a couple tumors from a weak immune system (most likely from high nitrates), but he seems to be doing MUCH better ever since I did a major gravel vacuum job, changed some of the water, and added some floating plants.

That aside, how do you think 2 Redtails would do with my one, 5" Yellowtail? He's my buddy and I don't want him getting picked on or eaten once the Redtails get up there in size.

Great looking fish, though! Hope he gets to eating soon. Oh, one other thing I'd try is switching up his food. Give guppies and whiteclouds a try. Best of luck!

Sounds like you need a better grasp on the basics first - Aces aren't cichlids they can't handle ammonia by-products for any length of time.The 20-40ppm rule doesn't apply for them. I keep my cuda tank to basically immeasurable amounts. This is achieved by using a large body of water ie- 150gals uderstocked, over filtered, current, 0xygen via powerheads, and relgiously changing 50% of the water weekly irregardless if actually needed.

Pretty much all Aces can be mixed so long as theres room and food for all.
Aces generally don't hide, yes they hoover but in plain site. If your Yellowtail is hiding perhaps it is the tankmates if he has any. Yellowtails - Falcirostris are larger than Falcatus as adults and have no issues eating any fish that can fit in thier mouth. Make sure when you add the Red tails their large enuff not to get eaten. Also remember more fish = more Nitrite so getting that squared away first will help you greatly in the future. Go for it! Best of luck to you.

 

[moudi]

nice fish

 

[trumpet28]

Sounds like you need a better grasp on the basics first - Aces aren't cichlids they can't handle ammonia by-products for any length of time.The 20-40ppm rule doesn't apply for them. I keep my cuda tank to basically immeasurable amounts. This is achieved by using a large body of water ie- 150gals uderstocked, over filtered, current, 0xygen via powerheads, and relgiously changing 50% of the water weekly irregardless if actually needed.

Pretty much all Aces can be mixed so long as theres room and food for all.
Aces generally don't hide, yes they hoover but in plain site. If your Yellowtail is hiding perhaps it is the tankmates if he has any. Yellowtails - Falcirostris are larger than Falcatus as adults and have no issues eating any fish that can fit in thier mouth. Make sure when you add the Red tails their large enuff not to get eaten. Also remember more fish = more Nitrite so getting that squared away first will help you greatly in the future. Go for it! Best of luck to you.

so the reason is just overstock the feeder mollies in the tank? or there's something else? thanks again!

 

[Reedmaster16]

nice barracuda I have 2 red tails I bought at 3 inches and are now around 5 to 6 inches. I agree with TRD do a larger water change and see if that gets him eating again.
also I use aquarium salt with ever water change to help with stress and as a preventative measure for fin rot.

 

[TRD_Power]

Sounds like you need a better grasp on the basics first - Aces aren't cichlids they can't handle ammonia by-products for any length of time.The 20-40ppm rule doesn't apply for them. I keep my cuda tank to basically immeasurable amounts. This is achieved by using a large body of water ie- 150gals uderstocked, over filtered, current, 0xygen via powerheads, and relgiously changing 50% of the water weekly irregardless if actually needed.

Pretty much all Aces can be mixed so long as theres room and food for all.
Aces generally don't hide, yes they hoover but in plain site. If your Yellowtail is hiding perhaps it is the tankmates if he has any. Yellowtails - Falcirostris are larger than Falcatus as adults and have no issues eating any fish that can fit in thier mouth. Make sure when you add the Red tails their large enuff not to get eaten. Also remember more fish = more Nitrite so getting that squared away first will help you greatly in the future. Go for it! Best of luck to you.

Appreciate the input! I actually put the floating plants in there to soak up nitrates and for aesthetic purposes. He hunts/ambushes behind the plants, but doesn't hide behind them. I noticed the guppies I was putting into the tank were going straight to the bottom after seeing the cuda, and the cuda wouldn't go down there after them., but now they hide in the floating plants and in sight He developed the tumors when I was in Hawaii for almost 2 weeks and my girlfriend didn't get the whole siphon concept... I do 40-50% water changes every week, gravel vac every time, keep the tank's temp at exactly 86 degrees, and test the water twice a week. Nitrites are next to nothing right now. I also heard Bamboo shrimp do a great job of filtering water... Would they be worth buying? I love how they look, but would be afraid of my Loaches and Cuda chomping down on them. Again, thanks for the input!