Help! I'm Fish Sitting

[JoeS]

I'm fish sitting while my buddy is on vacation and reaching him where he is not the easiest. He has a large tank with two Puffers, two triggers, and a grouper. Today when I fed them one of the triggers just sat under a rock and didn't eat. He came out after the feeding frenzy subsided and did a lap around the tank, but did not eat anything. He looked fine no bite marks or anything. To me he seems stressed, mouth/gills moving quickly. What can I or should I do?

 

[martyn21uk]

How long has your friend been away for? How long til he's back? Did he do a water change before he left? Have you done a water change? Are you able to test the stats of the water? Either he should have a test kit, mainly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Or alternatively can you take a small bottle of the tank water to your local fish shop and they can test it? What does the water look like? Is it clear, murky, green? Is the filter working properly? Ie is there an output somewhere in the tank? Is the water in the tank moving about or is it just still?

Try and post as many answers to these as you can and we'll try and help!!

 

[JoeS]

How long has your friend been away for? How long til he's back? Did he do a water change before he left? Have you done a water change? Are you able to test the stats of the water? Either he should have a test kit, mainly for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. Or alternatively can you take a small bottle of the tank water to your local fish shop and they can test it? What does the water look like? Is it clear, murky, green? Is the filter working properly? Ie is there an output somewhere in the tank? Is the water in the tank moving about or is it just still?

Try and post as many answers to these as you can and we'll try and help!!

I have been taking care of the tank for about a week now, I'm pretty sure he did a water change a couple days before he left. I did have an issue the other day after he left with the filter, the pump housing seal sprung a small leak, and sprayed several gallons on to the floor that was last Tuesday. I had to add several gallons of tap water with conditioner/dechlorinator added back to the filter sump to keep the pump submerged under a few inches of water. Even with this problem the filter is still pumping fine and the water is moving well and is clear. He does have water test kit there, I have never used it. Oh btw, I think it's a 90 gallon tank. So I take it it's not normal for a trigger to act like that??? I'm hoping to talk to him sometime today and he will be back late tomorrow night.

 

[JoeS]

I just got back from turning the tank lights off and the Trigger was acting normal swimming around the tank. I must just be paranoid... He must of had an off day. I will feed them in the morning and see what happens.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Hey,

A little off topic, but It's a long shot. What is your last name if you don't mind me asking. Really really long shot, but you never know.


You can PM it to me if you would like.

 

[rabbut]

Am I right in thinking this is a marine tank? If so, topping up with tap water will lower the SG or salt content of the water. This is alright, if topping up after water has evaporated, but RO would be a better option (specialy purifyed water). However, if the tank/filter leaked, and you replenished the lost water with tap water, the SG will have been lowered. If the trigger has perked up again, it is not too likely to be too low, but it may be a problem that your friend needs to sort out when they get home. Let them know about the problem when they get back, so thet they can rectify any lack of salt issues before the fish come to harm. Moving the SG up again, if you are not an experienced fishkeeper, could do more harm than good, as it is a delicate operation that has to be done slowly. Raise the SG too fast, and you could loose fish. Do you know any marine fish keepers in the area. I you do, you could enlist their help, if not, leave the SG for you frend to sort out if they are comming home soon.