Hi there...
I bought 2 natural coloured (non-dyed) BP's on Friday afternoon (South African time)... My 2-foot tank (that's all that i can accommodate in my flat) is set up with riverbed sand/washed play sand, river stones, live plants and drift wood. I've soaked my driftwood for 6 weeks in hot water before putting it in. I've ran my tank for the last 7-8 weeks with no fish. I have a hang on filter set on low, heater set on 27 degrees celcius and no air pump connected.
The thing is that my BP's have been sitting against rocks/corners since I saw them at the pet-shop. I was initially under the impression that they were just shy so I bought them.
On Saturday morning, one of them was lying on his side. They're both still alive. They're only about 3cm in length.
After reading the posts on this site I've come to feel that they are probably suffering from an itch. I did a 50% water change, cleaned the filter and put in itch medication that I bought from the pet store.
Another feeling that I have is that due to my not having an air pump, they may be having trouble breathing.
They come out to feed on tropical flakes if my wife feeds them or when I'm not around. They then go sit against a rock/corner. So it seems they're shy or scared of me. Lately many of my fish have been.
Furthermore, at the pet shop, the person who packed them into a plastic bag was extremely rough. Sadly she was a temp and not much could be done about it. They were literally tossed around while being transferred.
Are my fish just stressed? Do they need more air? Do they have itch? Or is it just shyness? Do I have reason to stress?
I really don't want to lose them. Thanks a lot.
Adam
Comments
Response
Hi there people...
I added an air pump today so they're getting oxygen. They seem to be feeding better too! They're still very shy and come out when they feel we cannot see them.
My local pet shop didn't have aquarium salt and all the table salt at the supermarket was iodized. I'm going to try another shop on my way to campus tomorrow.
Just a quick question... Is it true that the salt will kill my live plants?
I did float them before I put them in. My heater is set to 27 degrees celcius. Frozen peas as in the vegetable?
Also I will probably get a bigger tank for them as they grow... and maybe soon I'll upload some pics.
Thanks for the help
Cheers!
RE: Response
You can also use plain canning salt.
I am not good with Celsius. :)
I am not sure about plants and salt.
I do know plants bring the things from the tanks they have been in, to your tank. They can bring sickness, parasites and more. Sometimes snails (eggs), Then there is the fact that BPs can and do eat plants. That is why we give them peas. Yes the vegetable. I just want you to be aware, these fish can live years if they are not exposed to health problems. Then it is a job to save them. If you are lucky.
I have artificial plants and it is a good thing. My BP loves to dig them up and drag them around. The ones with stone on the bottom will bounce back up at her. She loves it until she gets mad. :) This not abnormal for a BP. At least with artificial, they can be replanted and they don't risk your fish every time you put one in the tank.
BPs love toys and make their own. I learned long ago, it is the Bps tank not mine. :S That is just the way it is. As I said, they are smart. She redecorates on a regular basis.
They grow fast and usually have great personalities.
Re: Response
yes just regular peas :) just make sure u take the shells off and feed them the mush inside. and do try to find aquarium salt, ive never heard of it killing plants,but im not 100% on that. if ur tank is still cycling then make sure u get test kits for ammonia, ph, nitrates, nitrites that kind of thing. they can handle a little higher ph, but not ammonia. if ur tank is cycling however u might get ammonis spikes. just keep an eye on everything. and i would do a little water change every couple days too. and i really do hope that u can get a bigger tank, cause there gonna need it! good luck, and post some pics if u can
Re: Advice Anyone?
Your tank is starting to cycle. You are probably having a ammonia spike. Ammonia is toxic to your fish and it depletes the water of oxygen. It doesn't matter how long you have your tank up and running if you don't have a ammonia source in the tank. The tank will not start to cycle until a ammonia source is added. When you added your fish, you added your ammonia source. Thus, the tank started to cycle.
You'll need to get a water test kit. You have about 6 weeks of cycling your tank and needing to keep a eye on it every day. Ammonia spikes can happen very quickly and cause your fish great distress and even death.
It takes longer to cycle a tank with fish since you can't really let the ammonia and nitrites spike. It's recommended you do small often water changes in a cycling tank rather than less frequent large water changes.
You can add 1 tablespoon of aquarium salt per 10 gallons to aid in gill function and slime coat. If they for sure have Ick, you can double that dosage and raise the tank temp to 86 degrees F. But, don't treat a disease unless the fish for sure have it. While your tank is cycling, it's probably a good idea to have the aquarium salt in the tank. The cycling process is going to be hard on the fish. The salt will help.
Advice Anyone
Hello...
Thanks for the information... This morning when we woke up they were swimming around and went into hiding when they saw us.
I suspected it was itch because I previously lost a whole tank of fish in 24 hrs about 6 months back. They had white spots on them so I felt treat it early. I will however switch to aquarium salt. It seems more beneficial. How much salt do I add?
They're no longer lying on their side so that's a relief.
Thanks again...
RE: Advice Anyone
When new fish come into shops, they have been shipped in large plastic bags with air and sealed so they are like a balloon. Normally there can be a good number of that type of fish in the bag. Many of these bags are placed in a styrofoam box, then sealed shut. Often the fisheries that ship them with put something in to calm them. They can be in that box for days. You know in shipping they are constantly moving and shook up.
If you got your fish soon after arriving and moved to a new tank. they have had a lot of stress. It is doubtful when they were bagged they were hurt. That's pretty well the way pet shops do it.
Did you float them after you got them? Also after floating I like to add extra time and gradually add small amounts of water from the new tank. Until you are more tank water than what they came in. This can take some time. Doing this adjusts the fish to the new water without just a quick complete water level changes.
Since your fish are new, they need to be watched for any sign of problems. Until you have had them for three to four weeks they are still in a time they could be getting something they were exposed too. Don't panic and try to treat them before.
What is the temp of your tank?
I think aquarium salt would be beneficial to your BPs.
Salt serves as a general tonic and stress reducer for freshwater fish. During disease and stress, healthy gill function of fish is disturbed. This can lead to the loss of electrolytes through the gills (sometimes called osmotic shock), reducing the intake of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide. Freshwater Aquarium Salt replenishes natural electrolytes and promotes healthy gill function. Temporarily blocks the toxic effects of nitrite to freshwater fish until water quality improves. It will not change pH. but should not be used as a substitute for marine aquarium salt. 1 Tbsp for every 5 gallons of water.
You can use less salt if you don't have a disease. If you have added salt already, subtract that amount from what is added.
Salt stays in your tank unless you drain some water from the tank. Then you can add salt if you need it. Still the amount for the amount you took out. If you take out a gallon, you can add salt for a gallon.
I have read BPs like bubbles or more oxygen in the tank. In fact when they are settled they play in it.
Do check your water levels as Peanut said. If they are off, they will need to be taken care of.
One think all new BP owners should know is to give them thawed, shelled frozen peas weekly. this helps digestion and helps prevent constipation. This is a big deal to BPs. You will have to chop them to the right size for your BPs.
They may or may not eat them at first, don't give up. Try again as the are acclamated.
If you will go through this site you will learn a lot to keep your BPs healthy.
Learn before it happens
If something does happen, get back immediatly. It is much easier to cure if you get it fast,
Good luck
Re: Advice Anyone?
do they have white patches on the skin that look kind of like sand? thats what ick looks like. u really shouldnt treat for ick unless u know that they have it. the chems can be very stressful on them especially when there stressed already from going to a brand new tank. i would say to raise the temp to about 82-85 degrees and add some aquarium salt. it helps with gill function and stress it also help with parisites. also try feeding them shelled peas it helps with digestion and he might be constipated. also 2 bps is alot for a tank that size unless u plan on getting a bigger one. they get big, about 7-8 inches! the rule of thumb is that 1 parrot need 30 gallons, then another 10 gallons for every additional one. i hope these things help. let us know :)
Re: Advice Anyone?
Well I kept one in a 10 gal for a couple weeks til I got my 55 gal and I had no problems so I don't think its the no air pump situation. It is stressful when you first get them and they will be very shy. Mine are finally starting to come out of their shell. Its normal for them to press them selves against rocks and things like that if they a new. As for lying on its side, I'm not sure.