SR changed ... not better. HELP PLZ

[ctoychik]

My SR changed for worse. Use to live with BBXB in 8' tank with a separator. Removed separator and SR pounded it is tank mate so BB was moved out and SR became king of the hill in 8'x3' tank. Happy ending?

Not quite. now that he is alone he sits at the bottom alot (not eating so much - but then he was always fickle). swims at the bottom with bichir.

no signs of physical problems on the outside i.e. looks healthy. water quality should not be an issue as there are less fish in the set-up ... (SR plus bichir) - i hate when unexplained happens - no changes to the tank other than removal of tank mate

It has been two months like this.

He is my show piece and fav so i really would like him back as his perky self.

Suggestions?

Don't know what to do. Move him into the comm outside? Can it be missing his tank mate (BTW, the BB is thriving in a comm tank that does not chase and nip him)

PS: my XB used to sit at the bottom when i moved him - now ok since i moved him to another tank but SR is in the original tank from the begining - never moved him

 

[foldem]

That's strange, have you tried putting in other tank mates? Maybe a flagtail or some tinfoils? Maybe it's lonely

 

[nubz0rz]

Aro don't usually sit at the bottom unless stressed so anything you doing that might stress it out?

 

[ctoychik]

that's the thing. he has been living in this tank from the start. more than a year. used to have tank mate that he bullied now he is alone with bichir.

according to my brother he is no longer friendly as he is used to be - i.e. starts darting around if come close to tank (previously he will come to the front if tank is approached).

I am at loss. i am aware that aro is not supposed to sit at the bottom

 

[classic-chassis]

Mine does all the time mate. Water is cristal clear. Food all the time. It sits on the bottom. It goes for a swim then sits on the bottom again. It's always done that since it was 12 inches. I did put a power head in and it played in the current, it seemed to like it, but the power head failed and i never replaced it.
Stick a power head in it'll swim 100% sure. Don't worry its not un-normal.

 

[ctoychik]

Mine does all the time mate. Water is cristal clear. Food all the time. It sits on the bottom. It goes for a swim then sits on the bottom again. It's always done that since it was 12 inches. I did put a power head in and it played in the current, it seemed to like it, but the power head failed and i never replaced it.
Stick a power head in it'll swim 100% sure. Don't worry its not un-normal.

Thanks for reassurance,bro ... but i really do not like the change in behavior ... i changed nothing except to make him more lonely.

The thing is he is sitting at the outlet of the pump - it is very strong. ... my poor fallen dragon.

My small XB used to do that when i moved him in the front of the house tank, but now he is cured and swims with silver aros at competes ...

What worries me also is that according to my bro, the SR is spooked by just approaching the tank. He used to be very inquisitive.

Worse case i am gonna cram him into the silver tank (with goldies) ... what a waste of 8x3 tank ....

 

[Chaitika]

Can he see any big aros or other preds from where he is? I think something outside the tank is spooking him.

 

[ctoychik]

Can he see any big aros or other preds from where he is? I think something outside the tank is spooking him.

The only tank he sees would be jar's tank. The tank is not located in a well travelled portion of the house. No pets. The only thing is that this tank is very dark but that is not a change cos it always was

He is very easily spooked now - not the case before and i had him well over a year now.

The recent changes were supposed to be for the better: less fish less bioload ...

I am afraid it will deteriorate ... re-introduction into the comm tank could be a solution (not desirable cos i wanted this fish to be a sole show piece in his 8')

 

[classic-chassis]

I think it's figured out if it stays near the outlet it doesn't have to swim to get water over its gills. All fish do it, even sharks which are reported to never stop swimming.
I'd change the height of the outlet a little bit, or try a power head to see what happens. As suggested I'd even try a flag tail or something before i moved it into the comm tank.

 

[ctoychik]

I think it's figured out if it stays near the outlet it doesn't have to swim to get water over its gills. All fish do it, even sharks which are reported to never stop swimming.
I'd change the height of the outlet a little bit, or try a power head to see what happens. As suggested I'd even try a flag tail or something before i moved it into the comm tank.

hmmm flagtail - always wanted one of these (saw only in private collections) but they are not available in laos ... have not seen them in udon thani either (yes, in BKK). might just use pacus or silver dollars - but need to quarantine and all that...