My Silver Aro is sick!! Everything I know about aquaria is ruined!

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00kevin

Piranha
MFK Member
Nov 2, 2011
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A little background: Picked up a monster Aro at about 20" from my LFS about 2 weeks ago. I observed her for a while and she seemed very active, yet tame, although I was disappointing to learn they fed her nothing but feeders (controversial cause to her drop eye). I brought her home about 2 weeks ago, and despite jumping into the top of the tank twice the first night, it went well. My 100g had been freshly filled and was in the tail stages of it's cycle. Looking back I regret how quickly I put her in but the owner was motivated to sell and I couldn't walk away from my dream fish.

Symptoms: #1 hasnt eaten. There's been at least one feeder in his tank since the day I got him. I've tried shrimp, waving it in her face and hanging it from the top. I'm not super panicked about this, I know older female aros sometimes fast, especially after a tramatic move. #2 She's taking deep, slow gulps of water. This is somewhat new, and I have to say is getting more prominent. #3 Her eyes are cloudy. This is absolutely new as I have the photo evidence from the LFS to prove it. #4 Red spots on her body, blood red almost like a bruise. Identical and on both sides. These appeared out of nowhere. #5 Her fins are super ratty, and deteriorating.

Conditions: Tank is fully cycled and ideal. Just ran the test now (daily) 0 nitrites, 0 ammonia, Ph 7.2. Temp is 79. Loaded with plants, and 3 filters. A magnum 205, fluval 205, and a AC70 HOB. I run the lights when the sun sets at 6, and the tank gets a lot of sunlight. She has no tank mates, other than 2 feeders at the moment. The tank was bare at first, and she was visibly upset. I then loaded with gravel, plants, and a rock decoration and she perked right up and started swimming at the top again.

I know it's slightly embarrassing to have to 2 sick fish at the same time (separate tanks) but I'm freaking about my Arowana. Once again, I'm at a loss and I will be posting photos of all of this. Help me out!!
 
I've noticed that silvers seem to start looking "beat up" because of poor water parameters, what are your nitrates at? I would start but bumping the temp and adding some salt, you can try some frozen food and use that garlic oil, seems to work great. Another concern is tank size..... Is it 4 foot? That is way to small and if is 6 foot it's probably to narrow. I think a 100 gallon is way to small for a 20 inch silver arowana
 
Did you put any AlgeaFix in the tank?
 
Its the tank. Its gonna get a raised back. Needs at least a 24" wide tank. Sorry to wreck ur dream but a fish that big needs its space.
 
Yea its the tank size. Need atleast 2 feet wide right now. Guy I work with just bought a 100 show tank with weird dimensions but its 2 feet wide and 6 feet long but very short

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The jumping can also be due from lack of light. My aros always jumped when the room was black. Once I added a blue light jumping stopped. Seems like u may have a really old aro also that could be stunted and has poor nutrition from previous owner and lfs.

I believe large aros are a waste of money because your taking over someone elses problem usually. Every aro I've bought was 3-5 inches and in perfect health. When they reached 18-20 inches I sold them for around what I payed for them.

I've owned 5 aros (4 silvers, 1 jardini) I loved growing them all out and selling them since I'm unable to keep a large tank due to space issues. If I could I would go get another one but don't have the money right now. I'm sure I will get bashed for that some how but I can tell you that I've never had issues keeping aros. Never had one die or get sick, and only had one get drop eye.

Hopefully urs gets better and if not buy a juvie and grow him out because you will enjoy it more.

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Ahh why would u get it if u cant keep it! Lol jokin i did the same. I sold my silver when it hit 20 cuz i felt the 150gal i had him in was too small. One flick of his tail and he would cruise from one side to the other. I couldnt imagine a 20"er in a regular sized 100gal. 4x2x18"
 
I know what u mean tho about the lighting. Even my 3 gatf freak out at night if their moonlights arnt on. And i really think drop eye is more from smashing into stuff then their diet
 
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