Silver Aro Help!!!!

[pi-eyed]

Do you MFKers know a lot about Arowanas? I've done a lot of research but they seem to be the hardest fish for me to keep...I don't know why. I just got a silver Aro yesterday with no yolk sac. He's about 2.5" and active. My problem is that I'm afraid to do anything with him(water changes,even feeding). I have tried to feed him freeze dried blood worms--haven't noticed him eating. Yesterday he was swimming at the top--today he's swimming about middle level(still active). I have him in a small quarintine tank with a small common pleco. I don't know may be I'm just paranoid..well I know I'm paranoid after I had one with sac die after a 20% water change and had one poorly shipped die after a couple of hours.
Any advice?

Thanks guys,
Chris

 

[arodini]

Acclimate the fish, but since the fish is already in the tank...so never mind. I'd keep him alone in a small tank like a 10g-20g. Have some fake plants and make sure the current from HOB filter (if used) is not too strong. Don't need to change water until he starts eating, and only do smaller water changes since they're small and not strong enough to handle big ones. The key thing at this stage is to get him eating, so feed 3 times per day if you could. I used freezed dried bloodworms and small krills (broken into small pieces). And remember to plug all holes and cracks on the tank or he'll jump out. This is not complete so search around for more info. Good luck.

 

[Disaster]

Don't worry too much about it. He is probably just getting acclimated to the tank like what arodini said. i used hikari frozen blood worms and put them in water then wait for it to dissolve the ice and basically put it in the water slowly so it floats... try that. and good luck.

 

[MonsterMinis]

floating cichlid pellets... smaller is better.. mine seems to prefer to eat tons of tiny pellets over a few larger ones. Make sure you go w/ a good quality high protein one. and pinhead crickets. That what I used for my guy... and once he starts eating.. feed him every-time you walk past the tank.. literally... at that size you can't over-feed them ime. Just make sure he's eating everything and the food isn't falling to much. small frequent water changes are also very important with as much as they are eating. I kept mine in a barebottom tank as it was, also helped me to make sure nothing was rotting and to not miss any poop. floating plants or similar "hide-spots" at the top of the water are also good to have, solid lid (they are avid jumpers) and avoid putting them in a hightraffic area. or an area where they are likely to get spooky from the surrounding atmosphere.

 

[pi-eyed]

There isn't a spot in the house that isn't a high traffic area-lol...I've been keeping a close eye on him being my past experiences have been horrible with Aros. I'm keeping the tank light off at the moment. He seems active yet at all levels of the tank but has jaw movement like he's muttering to himself. Is this normal? I'm going to try thawed blood worms(just a few) to see if he's interested.
I've had no trouble keeping any kind of cichlid ever!!! this is frustrating but I've always loved the look and personality of the arowana. Thanks for all of your advise---please keep it coming-I need all the help and ideas you experienced MFKers have to offer.
Thanks guys,
Chris

 

[jsodwi]

In my experiences raising small aros, small tank feed 2-3 times a day. Live brine shrimp, blackworms. Its important to get it pumped up quick and worry about getting it off live foods later. I didn't really do water changes just topped off evaporated water everyday until it was big enough to handle water changes.

 

[pi-eyed]

I tried the thawed blood worms--he's eating(yeeesssss!!!!)!!!--Few more questions-
How big is big enough to handle water changes?
Is prime at regular strength ok for the water conditioner?
How long until I try floating pellets?
I appreciate all the advice!!!!,
Chris

 

[pi-eyed]

He really seems to like the thawed blood worms. After feeding he's back at the top cruising around. I fed again an hour later and he tore up some more bw.. I'm feeling better about his chances in my care(I think he'll be ok). I can still use all your expert advice. So keep it coming!!!!
Thank you all,
Chris

 

[jsodwi]

Thats good hes eating. Keep feeding in moderation 2-3 times aday. I'd wait a month or so to do a water change. Is he the only fish in the tank? If you notice a lot of waste on the bottom of tank, do a quick siphon to get all the crap out, but don't do a 20% change yet

 

[pi-eyed]

The only thing I've been able to get him to eat is thawed blood worms and freeze dried blood worms. I tried a couple of small cichlid pellets but he is not interested. I did read that feeders are bad but a lot of distributers feed the baby aros baby guppies. I haven't tried this and don't plan to... My goal is to get him pellet trained. I'll ask again--Is prime at regular strength ok for water conditioner?
As far as I can tell the small pleco is cleaning up the uneaten bloodworms, however I feel I should change the water but I don't want to harm him. Would a 10% change suffice?
Thanks for your help,
Chris