New arowana

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sprwoman1

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
May 23, 2007
84
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U.S.A.
Hi, I am new here and just got a used tank over the weekend. It's 180g and came with a close to 2 ft arowana. His face was munched, now his barbels(?) are gone. I don't know alot about these particular fish as to I have never had a tank large enough to consider keeping them before. Yes I have been looking at info on their care online lately. I worked at a really nice petstore (that had mainly fish with some reptiles/sm. animlas) for 2 years as a teen, have kept fish for about 14 years on my own. I have several other tanks, the next largest is my 55g.

My kids were having a bad day so I stayed home with them while hubby and friend picked up tank. It would have been better if I were there, but doing anything with 2 kids that are over tired and refused to nap is not really a good idea either. I thought the seller would be competent and it would be ok. He had to "wear him down" before catching them which is when the arowana got hurt.

So there is a 3 year old silver arowana, pleco, bala shark, goby (sleeper?), & 2 albino irridescent sharks.

So far things seem ok. Arowana dosen't like red (not a problem), and seems very calm around the kids. This is the biggest tank I have ever had (makes my 55 look puny) and I plan to change things around later.

Opinion about arowana's face, I am worried about it healling properly. Guy said to add a bit extra salt to water, I normally add some (aprox 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons water), old owner said he did about the same.

Advice welcome.

Mainly I want to know if it is possible for the barbels to regrow?

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now the barbels are gone.
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I see this is your first post here, welcome. Looks like he got it pretty good huh? Well the salt idea is a sound method many of us here use and that would really be my only suggestion. That and keep the temp around 82-83. As to the face, it will definitely heal and s/he will live a normal life, but there is a good chance of some scarring. As to the barbel, I'm not sure. They may not grow back. I've seen aros with damages barbel grow back. He his/her are pretty much gone... Either way love him and take care of it and s/he'll be a great pet. Good pick up! Any chance I could ask what the total cost was for this nice set up?
 
ouch, da gotta hurt. but i think he should heal properly over time, not sure how long though. put some salt and up the temp to say 82, hopefully that might speed up the recovery a little bit. wut r u feeding him?
 
I'll raise the temp slowly today. Prevoius owner was feeding Hikari Cichlid Gold size lg. (10-12 pellets), freeze dried tuibflex (1 cube), and a large alge waifer (for all tank inhabitants) once daily. He gave me enough food for about a week. I bought some Hikari Cichlid Gold Lg. and some Tetra Cichlid Jumbo Sticks. Will be getting some small freeze dried kill today.
They haven't been eatting much lately, but actualy had an appetite last night. They seem to be adjusting slowly. :(
As for how much, light scratches on tank, water damage on stand, tank was resealed, lights are getting brittle. What do you think I should have paid?
 
Nice fish, just keep the water right add some salt or a little stresscoat and it will heal nicely. I wonder how that happend. Keep us updated with pics please!!!!
 
tonymofo;877891; said:
Nice fish, just keep the water right add some salt or a little stresscoat and it will heal nicely. I wonder how that happend. Keep us updated with pics please!!!!
How it happened pisses me off the most! The previous owner drained the tank down to a few inches then the arowana "wear himself out"!! My hubby said it would have been jumping out of the tank but kept hitting the tanks support braces with it's face!! Hubby said he was a bit shocked and wished I was there about then. :angryfire I wish was there I sure as h%ll would not have let that just go on!
 
Tobyone;878336; said:
I would also try and add some Melafix to the tank as well.

I agree with this! this does alot to keep any bacteria from infecting the wound and will help in aiding the healing process, salt as well for sure.
 
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