Tapajos and white head

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H

Hadrian

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 15, 2006
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virginia
Here are some shots of my newly aquired male Tapajos Red! I gave up on my Atabapo as he got really washed out again and I was sick of it. This guy is about 9.5"-10.5". I had a question for PP, Mt. Pike and other experts here regarding the third pic. He has a whitish cast (perhaps a film-but it doesn't look like it) on his head. I've seen this on other pikes. It doesn't seem to be any precursor to HITH and he is very happy- eating, sleeping, playing ball with the neighbors etc. The water condtions are good 0 Am, 0 nitrite, 10ppg nitrate (got it down from 20), Ph is a bit high 7.8, and temp is about 80. Any thoughts on this irridescnce on the head?

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H. ~ Our female Red Tapajos had the same 'head slime' earlier this year. Treatment with Melafix got rid of it, she's been doin great ever since - good luck!

Nice male!! Where did you find him?

Hope you didn't get rid of your Red Atabapo, our 11" male keeps getting better & better - we will see as he matures..... the female often looks 'washed out' but is getting fatter and gradually redder.
 
Mt. Pike-thanks for the info. I put some Metro in earlier today-any chance that'll work? Or should I carbon it out and go with the melafix?

Yes I did indeed get rid of my atabapo he was grey 90% the time and I was fed up-me and that fish just never got along ;) ! Although I am eager to see what a well cared for one at full size looks like-hope you have some pics when yours gets there.
 
Thats not hole in the head or at least I don't think it is. Did you just get the fish? Its probably just stress related. I would just up the water changes for a while, raise the Temp slightly and salt the tank. How many metro treatments have you done so far? If you've started the second dose you may as well finish the treatment. Metro is pretty mild so it shouldn't mess with your bio-filtration to much. I always try to avoid treating a fish when possible so just watch out for signs of stress. Good luck, he's really nice.
 
Yeah, i've had the same problem, its most evident in stressed fish, either being chased, new or after a rough water change. It seems to be that in harder waters and what not the slime coats can collect the pollutants in the water and what not. I used Melafix like MTN PIKERs did and it cleared right up in a jiffy. Addin a little salt to the water while you are doing it doesn't hurt either...;). Personally I like to add a little salt to my tanks every time i do a water change as it seems to reduce their stress and keep them more vibrant...:D
 
I'm glad you guys don't think its' hith-he was looking a bit craggy and bumpy-I think his sensory pores are somewhat inflammed by this slime. The metro seems to have helped already, I may do one more dose and then carbon. Then I'll wait a few days and if it isn't gone try the melafix. Sound good? I really like this fish so hopefully all will be well.
 
Glad that its clearing up for yaz bro! Really sucks when you loose a fish, especially a prized and expensive pike. What did you do with your atabapo though?
 
actually it is still hanging around though improving-I may post another pic. i'm also deathly afriad he'll get HLLE from the scarring and scabbing that this gunk produced. Sigh. These pikes are not forgiving me yet for my 20 year hiatus. I traded the Atabapo in to a LFS. A belated happy thanksgiving to all.
 
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