Skin peeling out of gar

[arosvios]

My gar's skin seems peeling out from the body. Looks like got sunburn. Can anyone advise me how to cure it? Thks in advance.

 

[E_americanus]

My gar's skin seems peeling out from the body. Looks like got sunburn. Can anyone advise me how to cure it? Thks in advance.

do you have a pleco or prochilodus or synodontis catfish in the tank? it sounds like it could be infection due to loss of slime coat, which is usually associated with any of those tankmates. if you do have any of those fishes with the gar they must be removed.

also, a photo would help accurately diagnose the problem. for now, remove any slime-sucking tankmates, bump water temp to 82F, increase water changes to 50% every other day, and add 1tbsp of salt per 20g of water--
--solomon

 

[demjor19]

^^^that's exactly what i was thinking...

 

[arosvios]

i do not have any plecos nor catfishes in my tank. But i just add the gar in 1 day only. Is it due to ph? But i will do so as u guys said. Thks for advises.

 

[demjor19]

i do not have any plecos nor catfishes in my tank. But i just add the gar in 1 day only. Is it due to ph? But i will do so as u guys said. Thks for advises.

was he in with any plecos or catfish at the lfs?

 

[E_americanus]

i do not have any plecos nor catfishes in my tank. But i just add the gar in 1 day only. Is it due to ph? But i will do so as u guys said. Thks for advises.

another key issue are the water parameters (including pH) in your tank; what are the levels of ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. how long has your tank been up and running for? how big is the tank and what kind of filtration do you have?

this sounds a lot like a bacterial/fungal infection, so something is likely off with the water parameters if there was no slime-sucking involved. however, if there were plecos in the original tank before it got to yours (like jordan had mentioned) then that could be a possibility, and further exacerbated by low water quality in the new tank--
--solomon

 

[flamenco-t]

Check your ammonia, it may be an ammonia burn. How long have your tank been setup ?

If it looks like a dead skin peeling off, then it's propably an ammonia burn. While gars are very hardy, you need to react FAST.

One thing that you can do is get some bio spira and put it in the tank. Or you can also squeeze some of the old nasty sponge or foam filter that is on the tank that hase been running for quite sometime..

stan

 

[arosvios]

Thks for ur advises. Getting better now but still a little peel skin left. Can see that its in the recovering stage.

 

[gangster]

I am having this same problem. Except I have a pleco but I dont see him sucking on him at all. I dont have any where to put him..cant put him in my 5gal....he's 9'' and I dont wanna give him away.

 

[ajbassmaster]

I have a florida spotted gar 12 in and i have never heard of this problem.
i hope i dont get this problem. I received him from a friend who stupidly put him in a rubber made container for 2 days before giving him to me. it was sad and he looked like he wasnt going to survive. finally after a few days we got him to eat and now he is as good as new. lol i hope this problem never comes my way. always good to learn about possible illnesses.