New Member, Few questions about my senegal!

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krylos

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 7, 2012
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Hi there, my name is Kyle and i stumbled across yall's forums while searching for information on my Senegal Bichir. I love him to death, and have been having some trouble with my tank (new tank syndrome) and had a few questions. First, the background. This was my tanks statistics as of last night.

55gal
1 Senegal Bichir
2 Angels
2 Pictus cats
2 Bala Sharks
2 Black mollies

I had a nitrate/nitrite spike shortly after adding my second angel about 5 days ago. It was pretty bad and i have been doing daily water changes to lower it. I awoke this morning to one of my angels and one of my black mollies stuck to the filter, never a good way to wake up. :/. As of now, my Nitrite is down to 4ish (down from WAY off the chart +10). Also, my other black molly seems to have contracted ich/a fungal infection. I should have known when i brought the new angel home from the store and he was swimming funny. Im thinking he introduced it to the tank. Currently treating the tank.

Now, i figured that my mollies would end up as snacks. I was hoping not, but i mean cmon, lets be realistic. Im not sure what exactly killed the two this morning, im assuming nitrite poisoning since they didnt have signs of any form of fungus or ich. My main concern lies with the health of my senegal, Cho (if any of you play league of legends you know where i got that name haha) He has been very active lately, and i noticed that all my ghost shrimp are gone (wonder where they went). The only thing ive noticed him doing lately which he hasnt done in the past two months. He has been swimming/stalking a lot in the plants lately, and also been hanging out behind the heater balancing on the suction cup with his fins sticking strait up. Im assuming this is a hunting thing, and he might be ready for live food because he seems really intent on stalking everything.

Overall, i guess my question is, everything seem normal? (other than the obvious issues with my tank) I dont really want to lose him, but he seems relatively healthy. Ill attach pictures of him balancing as soon as i can get my phone to sync up to my PC.
 
Try to put salt. 1 teaspoon per 10 gallon. I think the attitude of your sen is fine.
 
i wouldnt change the water eeryday unless the levers get etremely high. you want to give the good bacteria a change to grow in the filters and water.
 
Yeah I got it down to 4.0 nitrite and in letting it go on its own from there.

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And the Molly is completely healed. Let's hope I get my new tank before cho gets him.

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Molly bit the bullet :(. He had some white on him when I pulled him out that wasn't there the night before and looked like his fins were nipped a bit. Cause of death unsure. Who is going to greet me at the top when I open my tank now :((

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New tank syndrome is so yesteryear.
Modern products eliminate this ancient ritual.

Use CaribSea Instant Aquarium substrates ($60 for 60 lb):
http://www.caribsea.com/itempage_freshwatersubstrate_instantaquarium.htm
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=21412
http://www.petco.com/shop/searchresults.aspx?Ntt=CaribSea+Instant+Aquarium&x=17&y=10

Or any other bacteria laden substrates, like Activ-Flora ($60 for 60 lb):
http://www.activflora.com/

These substrate/sand/rocks are crawling with good stuff, and you never get the spike when you set up a new tank.
I also use aquarium salt ($8) initially at 0.5 teaspoon per gallon.
Temperature at 82 degrees.
I don't believe in old school cycling. A few hours is all it takes to set up a new fish-safe tank. Follow the instructions on packaging.
Combined with Hikari foods, there is little waste.
 
The habits of Cho is very typical for a Senegal Bichir, they're quite interesting creatures to watch swim about the tank. If you can, add more plants, they love to hide and rest in them. As far as it's health is concerned, i wouldn't worry too much about it, Bichirs are as tough as nails and it's eating your shrimp so it can't be too stressed out either.
 
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