Blue Acara

[sheriluv]

Hi, this is my second post about my blue acara. I received responses but am having difficulty replying, so I had to start another topic.

Tank size: 36 gallons
2 blue acara, 2 bala sharks, 2 small gouramis, 2 catfish

ammonia-0, nitrate-20 ppm, nitrite-0.5 ppm, hardness- 425ppm VERY HARD, alkalinity- 80 ppm, ph- 6.8

I'm having problems with the two acara, the male being worse off than the female. Their coloring is very faded and dull, especially around their mouths. It doesn't look like cotton, just like their skin turned white. There are no other visible markings on them. The male has been hiding in the back of the tank for the last couple of days. They are both usually very active and in the front all the time. They are still eating and are actually both at the front of the tank as I am writing this. This morning they were locked lips and fighting for quite a while, I can only assume the female is picking on the male because he is weaker? They haven't fought since. It's sad because these fish have spawned about 4 times. All other fish are fine. What do you think the problem is? Poor water quality? I know some people say cotton mouth but when I look at photos, it doesn't look as bad.

They eat a combination of flakes and frozen brine shrimp. The tank has been set up for about one year. I wish I could post a picture but unfortunately my camera is not working.


Thank you for reading, any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sheri

located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

[Tortea]

Can You Isolate the male?
Any Chance of a Photo?

 

[sheriluv]

Can You Isolate the male?
Any Chance of a Photo?

I have a 10 gallon tank that needs to be cleaned, we had it set up for the acara fry. However, we haven't used it for a couple of months so I cleaned it out this morning. I'm afraid that the new water will affect him negatively. I can't post a photo due to ny camera not working. I know that would help immensely. Any ideas? Do you think I should still put him in the other tank even though the water is new?

 

[Tolak]

Water issues would depend on the quantity & frequency of water being changed in the 36 gallon. If you filled the 10 gallon with half tap, half water from the 36 it would be the same as a 50% water change. I have a single acara in a 20 high, 75% water changed weekly, he does great. If I had that stocking in that size tank that is the amount of water that would be changed.

Without a picture it is tough to say, best bet is large frequent water changes for an unknown illness.

 

[sheriluv]

Water issues would depend on the quantity & frequency of water being changed in the 36 gallon. If you filled the 10 gallon with half tap, half water from the 36 it would be the same as a 50% water change. I have a single acara in a 20 high, 75% water changed weekly, he does great. If I had that stocking in that size tank that is the amount of water that would be changed.

Without a picture it is tough to say, best bet is large frequent water changes for an unknown illness.

Do you still think I should seperate him or just do a large water change in the bigger tank? They haven't fought since early this morning.

 

[Tolak]

I would be doing at least a 50% water change daily until you have some idea what the problem is. This would probably be easier in a smaller tank. If you do have to use any medication you are already set up.

Try to get a picture, the hiding indicates one problem, while the whiteness another.

 

[sheriluv]

I would be doing at least a 50% water change daily until you have some idea what the problem is. This would probably be easier in a smaller tank. If you do have to use any medication you are already set up.

Try to get a picture, the hiding indicates one problem, while the whiteness another.

Ok, I borrowed a camera but unfortunately have to charge the battery. I will post it ASAP! Thanks for your responses.

 

[Tolak]

Any time, I got my acara as a freebie, in with a shipment from SA. He's a really personable fish, has the first tank in the fishroom by the light switches.

 

[sheriluv]

Any time, I got my acara as a freebie, in with a shipment from SA. He's a really personable fish, has the first tank in the fishroom by the light switches.

What about the water hardness being so high, is there something I should do about that? And also, should I put salt in the tank just in case? I have some left over from when they had ick. I'm doing the water change now so just trying to do it right. Still working on getting a picture.

 

[sheriluv]

Any time, I got my acara as a freebie, in with a shipment from SA. He's a really personable fish, has the first tank in the fishroom by the light switches.

Ok, I took a bunch of pictures and can't figure out how to resize them to attach to my post. So frustrating!!! My acaras are still eating and both are out front again. I am hoping that the water changes will help them and eventually I will be able to post the pictures. I am still wondering about the water hardness and if I should do anything about it.It is pretty much off the charts at 425ppm. I have a water softner pillow that I can put in the filter but am reluctant to do so because they have been in this water for about a year.

 

[Tolak]

I resize pictures with Irfanview, a free and easy to use photo editor. I then download them ti Imageshack and post the picture using the IMG tags.

 

[sheriluv]

I resize pictures with Irfanview, a free and easy to use photo editor. I then download them ti Imageshack and post the picture using the IMG tags.

<a href='http/img256.imageshack.us/i/dsc01143new.png/'><img src='http/img256.imageshack.us/img256/3272/dsc01143new.png' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a>

I resize pictures with Irfanview, a free and easy to use photo editor. I then download them ti Imageshack and post the picture using the IMG tags.

<a href='http/img256.imageshack.us/i/dsc01143new.png/'><img src='http/img256.imageshack.us/img256/3272/dsc01143new.png' border='0' alt='Image Hosted by ImageShack.us'/></a>

still can't post images!!! OMG, so annoying!

 

[Tolak]

You need to have IMG before the http, and /IMG after the png. enclose the IMG & /IMG in these[].

I lightened it and resized it, I would say the whiteness is from sparring, typical breeding activity battle damage. Clean water heals injured fish better than anything on the market, this may also improve appetite. If he's still slow to eat in may be an internal protizoan, an easy fix in most cases when the fish is still eating.

I would pop him in the 10 gallon for a week, daily water changes.

 

[sheriluv]

 

[sheriluv]

Wow, that was much more difficult than it should have been! I will keep doing the water changes and see how it goes. The water looks a mess right now because I changed 50% of it and I have sand substrate. I have a really hard time using the syphon with the sand, any tips? I REALLY appreciate all your patience and help. I hope the fish make it, they are by far my favorite kind of fish to own. Thanks again!