New FH - not sure sick or stress ???

[mcbuddy]

Hi there FH master,
Around 5 or 6 weeks ago I got this nice fish from my local fish store so I am not expert on this fish so please any advice would be helpful.
So the day, I get it the fish looks like this

I think its pretty normal as the first day, the stress stripe are noticeable. To be honest I am not sure what is sex is. The eating was bad, I gave he/she pellet (recommended by the store where I bought the fish) but somehow he/she tried to eat but then throw it out so next day I decided to get another type of food. I got the frozen bloodworm from another pet supply and he/she liked it. So I continue to give it to him/her.

Regular 50 - 60% water change on 2nd week also I have water cycle via water pump with basic filtration which I wash every other day. On the 3rd week, I saw the stress mark still not gone but even worse. It got darken. I cover the aquarium for the sake of it.
Just 5 days, I found it has ich so I did my research - then I change 50% water change every 12 hours, bump up the temp to 82 - 84 F, added salt. The ich spot is no longer visible but he/she is floating in the water surface and once in the while trying to jump out of the water. The color getting even darker and I am afraid this might another bacteria or fungus that I am not aware of.
This his/her picture floating




This his/her picture with noticeable darker spot


Any idea what is wrong with him/her. I might go to get bacteria/fungus treatment tomorrow morning.

 

[HybridFinatic]

Well I know their a lot of people on this site that know much more than me about diseases and meds but I can tell you to stop feeding bloodworms. They will kill your fishes digestive system and lead to disease such as this IF OVERFED. If the fish is not eating pellets then you should starve if for a couple days and then try and introduce pellets. Bloodworms should not be fed more than once a week. Never as a staple. At this point you should just focus on treating your fish. Make sure to test the water and keep it clean. That means extra water changes. If it is just stressed than it something wrong that you are doing. It could numerous things but Im sure their are tons of other forums to tell why fish get stressed. If it is sick do some research on this forum on what it could be and then find the correct meds.

 

[ny.subway]

What is your water parameter? Whats the size of tank and what the size is the flowerhorn? Don't wash the filtration or media often, the bacteria needs to grow on it.

 

[mcbuddy]

Well I know their a lot of people on this site that know much more than me about diseases and meds but I can tell you to stop feeding bloodworms. They will kill your fishes digestive system and lead to disease such as this IF OVERFED. If the fish is not eating pellets then you should starve if for a couple days and then try and introduce pellets. Bloodworms should not be fed more than once a week. Never as a staple. At this point you should just focus on treating your fish. Make sure to test the water and keep it clean. That means extra water changes. If it is just stressed than it something wrong that you are doing. It could numerous things but Im sure their are tons of other forums to tell why fish get stressed. If it is sick do some research on this forum on what it could be and then find the correct meds.

Thank you for the reply. I stopped the frozen bloodworm since 4 days ago. I keep changing the water. I will do my research more on this issue. As right now, he/she calm down. I covered the tank so it will less scare for now.

 

[mcbuddy]

What is your water parameter? Whats the size of tank and what the size is the flowerhorn? Don't wash the filtration or media often, the bacteria needs to grow on it.

Not sure water parameter, as I mention I am new to this hobby so I will buy the kits after work. The tank size is 20 gallons for 3 inches FH which I believe should be enough.
Also good to know to not wash the filtration often. Thank you for your reply and I will check the water parameter tonight.

 

[HybridFinatic]

Did you cycle the tank before you got the flowerhorn. How much filtration do you have. You are going to need to upgrade your tank very soon to alteast a 40 breeder or 75 gallon.

 

[mcbuddy]

Did you cycle the tank before you got the flowerhorn. How much filtration do you have. You are going to need to upgrade your tank very soon to alteast a 40 breeder or 75 gallon.

I did run the water cycle for 2 days before I get FH. The filtration is basic with dual density filter media pad. I am looking for new tank probably sometimes this or next weekend - waiting for black friday deal

 

[mcbuddy]

What is your water parameter? Whats the size of tank and what the size is the flowerhorn? Don't wash the filtration or media often, the bacteria needs to grow on it.

Just did the test tonight.
The result as following.
Nitrate 20 mg/L
Nitrite 1.0
Total Hardness 75
Chlorine 1.0
Total Alkalinity 0
pH 6.8

I think this should be on the safe side no? Any idea?

 

[philipraposo1982]

your tank is 100% not cycled. read up on the nitrogen cycle asap.

 

[HybridFinatic]

Ask your local fish store or a friend if you can borrow any cycled media. I feel like that is one of few options. In the future research more on fish before you get one.