Garra Rufa Advice

[CameraGeek]

Hi everyone,

I have a garra rufa in my 100lire tank. He's about 3 months old and he's fantastic. Brilliant little character and so completely hyper. Last week I was having difficulty with new tank mates. I tested water and it was fine. My LFS gave me the advice of adding some marine salt, which I've never done in over 4yrs of keeping tropicals. In all my tanks it's made a huge difference, the water clarity is better and I thought it was great already and all the fish are suddenly very very lively... that is except my garra rufa. He's started to 'rest' a lot. He seems ok but is lacking energy. He's eating and the water is still testing fine.

His normal behaviour is every few days he gets a bloated tummy and he will rest like this (he's a greedy sod) amd after a few hours 'rest' he's back to himself. He's not bloated at the moment just quiet.

Has anyone else seen this type of behaviour, should I be worried, could it be the salt??

Unfortunately there is next to no info about garra's because of the 'footspa' business.

Any ideas??

 

[thereverendturtle]

Most freshwater fish don't need salt. Some species don't handle it well at all, most s/a fish fall into this category. Although a little salt 1 tsp per 5 gallons does no harm. I don't think the problem with your garra is the salt, like you said he's a very aggressive feeder, so you may just need to cut back a bit on the food.

 

[CameraGeek]

Most freshwater fish don't need salt. Some species don't handle it well at all, most s/a fish fall into this category. Although a little salt 1 tsp per 5 gallons does no harm. I don't think the problem with your garra is the salt, like you said he's a very aggressive feeder, so you may just need to cut back a bit on the food.

I can't really cut back on food because the others wouldn't get a look in! He seems a bit livelier this morning, my LFS keeps all their tanks slightly brackish and gave me similar ratio to you 1tsp/6... they suggested at each water change to use this ratio.. what do u think?

I could move him to a quieter tank with just a plec but I think he'd be bored stupid, he plays well with the giant danios.

 

[thereverendturtle]

I've got hogs like that too. Yeah the salt ratio is good, just make sure you only replace salt for the amount of water removed, and don't add any with top off water.

 

[fluttermoth]

He might be lonely; I think G. rufa are shoaling fish.

 

[CameraGeek]

He might be lonely; I think G. rufa are shoaling fish.

I think it right fluttermoth, we were advised either a pair or lots. We got a pair but she died once full of eggs, there must have been a problem as she just couldn't drop them and she swelled and died. My LFS only had a random batch in and if they come in again I'll find him a new mate.

On another note, just tested water in the smaller tank and the nitrate has dropped to 0 .. why would that be? Nitrite 0, ammonia 0, PH 7.6... as you can tell I'm new to anything larger than a dwarf gourami lol

Thanks for ur replies x

I've got hogs like that too. Yeah the salt ratio is good, just make sure you only replace salt for the amount of water removed, and don't add any with top off water.

Thanks turtle

 

[CameraGeek]

Clearly I am a pleb. Cleaned up the kit and realised I'd mixed the bottles up!!!
Nitrites 0 nitrates around 5 ammonia 0 and PH 7.6..... still a drop in nitrates but that's part of the cycle I imagine? I must do some more research these ates and ites and differing advice is starting to boggle me lol.

Sorry for blethering on x

 

[CameraGeek]

Hi again,
Today my rufa is no better. In fact he's resting more and he's been lying on a leaf for 3-4hrs. Even at feeding time my usually happy, greedy guy didn't even sniff the water. His body hasn't changed, his breathing is stable and his colour is fine. I reduced the temp earlier and it's now 74°
Water test on this tank (100ltr)
Nitrite 10-20
Nitrite 0
PH 7.6
Ammonia 0-0.25 (normal water change due Saturday )

What do you think?

 

[thereverendturtle]

Could be the bit of ammonia. Maybe do a 50% water change ASAP and possibly again on Saturday.

 

[CameraGeek]

Could be the bit of ammonia. Maybe do a 50% water change ASAP and possibly again on Saturday.

50% change done and will do another in the morning. *crossing fingers* x

 

[thereverendturtle]

Good luck!