I have a 2.5 in oranda in with a butterfly koi in a 20L (I know...tiny tank) that I set up for my gf. Whenever we move out of her mothers basement were gonna build a pond btw. Well we've have the little guy for about a week and a half and he was very active at first. But lately he has been sitting on the tank bottom in one particular spot. At first I thought he was resting and the koi would lay next to him...they're really good friends to be honest. Well as of the last couple of days I noticed that he's become less and less active. Only moving when the koi or one of us comes near the tank. He eats like a champ though. Right now I'm feeding goldfish flakes and pellets. I also noticed some spots building up on his sides. At first it kinda looked like his scales were flatter near his belly. Now its changing color from white to a dark red/almost blackish purple color. I'm kinda worried about this guy cause my gf really likes him. If anyone knows something please let me know. Thanks
Oranda Health Problem?
- Thread starter Fishman1318
- Start date
Good call on the ammonia! I went to petsmart and got test strips and some ammonia clear. When I got back I checked the water and the ammonia level was 3 ppm. So I tossed two tablets in and I've already noticed a change in the oranda. Thanks for the save.
The tablets won't save you. They only convert ammonia into other substances which still have to be removed at the same rate as nitrates would be. I'd just like to be first in line to warn you that the smallest tank I've ever seen successfully house a subadult koi in was a 265 gallon with a pair of 10"ers, and it was a challenge. You have a time bomb in that teeny tiny glass box. Your koi will stunt if he survives the terrible water, and likely die before his fifth birthday. The repeated ammonia spikes will burn and scar his gills until they no longer transport oxygen across the membrane, then the koi will SLOWLY suffocate to death. If he lives that long. Koi and goldfish are NOT fish for the typical home aquarium.