RTG help

[cpm6t]

I just got my RTG (about 4.5" in size). it has part of his lower fin torn off (probably it got caught to the net when transferring) and it is hanging to the rest of the fin which is still attached to the body. Is there anything I can do? He is in a 4'X1.5'X1.5' tank all by himself. Should I add salt? Will the fin fall off by itself?

 

[David R]

I'm not a fan of salt, just keep the water clean and warm. I think if it were my fish I'd remove the flapping portion of the fin to prevent it dragging and potentially ripping further, up to you really.

 

[cpm6t]

Today morning it has dropped off the torn part of the fin. He seems to be all right. But he has not eaten anything yet. It is still less than 24 hrs since I got him. I'm trying to get him to eat some blood worms but no positive response yet.

 

[jsodwi]

Keep trying live blood worms live guppies even live brine shrimp even though 4" may be a little big already for brine shrimp. It will come around. Make sure temp is good and there are no places for aro to escape the tank maybe throw a floating plant in tank so aro can seek shelter and feel a little secure in its new environment

 

[cpm6t]

Some pictures after the torn part of anal fin fell off.

 

[Vicara]

dont worry about him eating or not. arowanas can go for sometime without eating.

since he's new to you and i assume its a new tank you should take more care in setting the right water for it to settle down first especially when his tail has torn

 

[cpm6t]

dont worry about him eating or not. arowanas can go for sometime without eating.

since he's new to you and i assume its a new tank you should take more care in setting the right water for it to settle down first especially when his tail has torn

Thanks. He is taking the food to his mouth today (frozen blood worms) but then puts in out again. He did it more than 20 times as the blood worms were carried around by the current, but I didn't see he swallow a single time. Unlike yesterday, he hits the food as soon as it is dropped in to the water though. Hopefully I'll have better luck tomorrow.

I know aros can go on for weeks/months without eating, but can aro of this size (around 4" - 4.5") go on a week or two without eating?

 

[David R]

He'll eat when he is ready, if it is taking the bloodworms into its mouth then that is a good sign, should be eating in another day or two.

 

[cpm6t]

Okay. The Aro started taking blood worms from yesterday. Today morning also he had a good meal of blood worms. So I'm less stressed now. Will get him trained on tilapia and shrimp slowly. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Vicara]

Yup david got it.

Another way you can try other foods. If he does take a bite means he should be ready to eat just that the food somehow is not appealing to him.