New caribe scratching

845 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by DAZZA, Mar 24, 2003

DAZZA

Discussion Starter · Mar 24, 2003

Hi guys

Well i've had my caribe for almost a week, ( they arrived on monday the 17th ). Since thursday they have been scratching against rocks, bogwood etc. I thought it was ick as one of the caribe has two white dots on one of it's pelvic fins. I summised that they had the startings of ick, ( brought on by the stress of shipping ), and have medicated accordingly.
However, when i tested for ammonia and nitrite ( this AM sunday 23/03/03 ), i had reading of, ammonia 0.25 ( API test kit ) and about 5ppm on nitrite ( waterlife research test kit, UK product ). Since then i've done a 25% water change and added a polyfilter, which is suppose to adsorb ammonia and nitrite. I had been feeding fairly heavily as i've not kept caribe before and i now have 7 @ 3-4" in a 115 US gallon tank. I'm trying to reach a balance between feeding and behaviour, as i'd also upped the tank temp to 82oF, ( again to combat ick ).
My filter was mature. It's been set up with about 9 platies since january. So i suppose the greater increase in bioload and feeding is to blame for the ammonia spike etc. Is there anything more i can do ?
Ta.

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DiXoN

· #2 · Mar 24, 2003

dazza
you seem to be doing the right thing at the moment treating the ick i would keep a close eye on the fish and water parameters but p's usually do the scratching thing even when water is ok.
they might also be getting used to the water over here as it is not always the best for aquaria imo also check the ph as in the uk it can be high i have seen it at 8 but usually mine is @7-7.5 with no treatment
dixon

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DAZZA

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 24, 2003

Hi overbite

Yeah, i had thought of the ph. I just dechlorinate with stress coat then in it goes. I did mess around with various products to alter the ph on other tanks but found their results variable to say the least.
I need reverse osmosis, don't we all, that's not going to happen. It would be too expensive to use r/o water from my lfs, i'd need a minimum of 25 gallons a week, just for the caribe tank, have you seen the price of that stuff !! Ah well.
Ta.

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DiXoN

· #4 · Mar 24, 2003

yep i used proper ph 7.0 before on my p tank when my ph hit 8.0 it didnt work as it should but in the uk the water is very hard .i would have had to add a softener first then the ph stuff but thats to many chemicals for my liking.you will find the p's will get used to a stable ph as long as it is not to high .if ron has a ph of say 6.5 in his fish house then we add them to our tanks at say 7.5 they will need to adjust causing some stress but they will in time .thats what i think causes the scratching as well as bad water. i wish i stuck in at chemistry in school theirs so much more to keeping fish as healthy and content as possible than meets the eye but i have a decent understanding of water chemistry now after 3 years keeping p's
dixon

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Sir Nathan XXI

· #5 · Mar 24, 2003

I would do another water change of 25% tomorrow. Get ammonia as close to 0 as possible

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Genin

· #6 · Mar 24, 2003

DAZZA,
Are your caribe setting up territories? All the pygos I have owned will circle very their territory really quick then do a quick scrub on whatever they are claiming, such as a sword plant or piece of drift wood. It may not be ich, but if you see the white spot then I guess it is. Just keep in mind that it may be a territorial act and not an illness. Don't over medicate.

Joe

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sccavee

· #7 · Mar 24, 2003

Genin said:
DAZZA,
Are your caribe setting up territories? All the pygos I have owned will circle very their territory really quick then do a quick scrub on whatever they are claiming, such as a sword plant or piece of drift wood. It may not be ich, but if you see the white spot then I guess it is. Just keep in mind that it may be a territorial act and not an illness. Don't over medicate.

Joe

My Reds do this also. My largest one likes to hit my filter intake and driftwood. He does then when he chases one of the others back to their spot. I believe it could be territory marking also.

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DBROWN

· #8 · Mar 24, 2003

I have 6 rocks in my tank and 6 reds, each one has claimed thier own rock.
They swim sideways even upside down and rub against the rock swimming as fast as they can. Then return to the shoal.

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Raptor

· #9 · Mar 24, 2003 (Edited by Moderator)

Do a search on sporozoan disease. I believe thats how it is spelled. But p's and tetras can get a little parasite that will produce a little white pimple shaped extrusion. heres a site
Sporozoan disease
I believe that piranha's can rid themselves of this disease in 2-3 weeks of this. I read it somewhere but i can't remember. Not to say you have this.
But this site is pretty good to check on all diseases.

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DAZZA

Discussion Starter · #10 · Mar 24, 2003

Hi guys

Thanks for all your imput. Well the water change along with the addition of the polyfilter ( made by underworld ), have corrected my ammonia and nitrite readings, 0 for both. P's still flicking. The only thing about the medication was that the polyfilter will remove this as well. I'm not concerned about this though, as i can't see an advance in the two white spots that have remained on alpha p's pelvic fin, and they only had two days of a six day course and this was at half dose. Temp still 82oF, will keep it there for another 3 days, then reduce to 76-78oF. Lots of activity in the tank, and their appetite remains high. The tank their in is 60"L x 20"W x 22"H, about 115 US gallons. It does have decor, which people say can cause aggression. I think i was over optomistic about stocking levels. Thought i'd try it with my caribe, 7, 3-4" in a 115. I'll be sad to lose any fish as they're great. Truly what piranha are all about. Glad i stayed with single species tank.
Ta.

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