Wolf Fish Not Eating Much and Resting Vertically

[AaronKWolfe]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

60

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

21-30%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every two weeks

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I have a wolf fish (erythrinus erythrinus) that I've had for about a year now. Ammonia and nitrite are 0, nitrates are 60, pH is 7.2, water temperature is 78F. Up until recently he's been his normal self, but lately I've noticed he hasn't been eating a much and he has been resting vertically like this. Should I be concerned or just do extra water changes?

 

[MultipleTankSyndrome]

I think it's the NO3, 60 ppm is very, very high and is likely to be toxic. You really want it at 5 ppm or less.
My advice - instead of 21-30 percent water replacements every 2 weeks, do 50-80 percent water replacements 3-4 times a week to reduce and keep the NO3 down. That may help

 

[kno4te]

Keep the nitrates below 20ppm. Clean water should help.

 

[AaronKWolfe]

Keep the nitrates below 20ppm. Clean water should help.

Ok. I'll do a large water change when I get home from work.

 

[AaronKWolfe]

Update: he's dead after I did 2 water changes. I see bruising on his head so I think he might have darted and hit something.

 

[AaronKWolfe]

Update: he's dead after I did 2 water changes. I see bruising on his head so I think he might have darted and hit something.

I'm really sad because this guy had a lot of personality. I suppose it's my fault for letting his water get as bad as it did and for limiting him to a 55 gallon tank.