Green Terror

My Green Terror doesn't seem to be doing too well. He looks chewed up and like somebody took a cheese grater and scraped off some of his scales. He goes to the top and floats but when I put my net in to scoop him up he swims away and hides. He is still eating though. Its like he is just waiting to die. Is there anything I can do for him? I do not see any fish picking on him so I am not sure whats going on.

If you have a video camera you could film the action when you're not there... maybe somebody beats him up but hides when you come in the room. Just an idea... Also it may be prudent to use some sort of stress coat product to boost his slime coat, I would ask some of the other users which ones work if any...

I am home all day so unless they do it at night.... Its weird though. He is my favorite fish.

Have you tried freshwater aquarium salt in a cup in the tank to help heal injuries?

If someone isn't attacking him maybe he has a parasite and he's rubbing his scales off scratching on the rocks? I would add salt just in case. If its an external parasite you could try a salt water dip to remove them. Here's how to do it.

Saltwater Dip (for freshwater fish only)

Fish stress is relieved and the organism can fight off diseases easier which aides in the recovery. The concentration should be 4 teaspoons per Gallon and the duration of the bath about 30 minutes. This bath will also stimulate the protective slime coat, which will further enhance the fish's' ability to cope with the disease.

Protozoa (one celled parasites) on skin, gills, and fins can effectively be removed by a salt bath. For the record, some fish do not respond well to a salt bath (i.e. some barbs, tetras, catfish and koi). A heavy concentration can make them loose their equilibrium and they simply "roll over". At this point the fish has to be moved to clear water very quickly.

Ok, I did the dip, we will see what happens. I anyone has any other suggestions please let me know.

dang, hope the dip works. really suks, esp when it always happens to your favorite fish.

I think a fish is beating him up......are you hearing any splashing?

The only splashing is from my Arowana. From where I sit in my living room I have a clear view of the tank and I watch all the time.

No salt or slime enhancers.....If the fish is as damaged as you say the best bet is to isolate it........Check the pH, ammonia, and nitrite levels.....Do a 15% water change with a good conditioner like Prime. Try to match the water temp...If the ammonia or nitrite are up you may have to do 15% water changes every couple of days for a week or so.....Use 1/2 of a full tank dose of Prime on the days between changes...This detoxifies the ammonia and/or nitrite and lessens stress on the fish.

Salt can accumulate in a tank and cause problems with the fish's osmoregulation....If you can isolate the fish use Maracyn to kill off the possible bacterial infection.

Watch the other fish closely for stress.

I have no way to isolate him. He is the only one in a tank with 14 fish that has something wrong with him. I did the salt dip and treated him with antibiotics. I tested the water and took it into the fish store as well and everything is fine.

Make a divider and section off a part of the tank for him so that if its aggression that will stop it.
Do you have any plecos in there? I have heard of plecos chewing on fish......
You can get a new 10g for $13 or so, I suggest you do so and isolate him.

Plecos don't eat live fish such a green terrors......Why are green terrors called green terrors because they eat plecostomus.......Your fish is damaged, isolate it or loose it.........Get a 1/2 gallon plastic pickle jar, punch it full of 1/4" holes and float your fish in it until it seems to gain strength......Check your tank for columnaris........You say your water parameters are good....You say nothing is picking on the fish.......None of the other fish are showings signs of columnaris.........

May be the frigging cat or a closet mouse is doing the dirty deed.......

Keep me posted...I enjoy chasing diseases.

what other tankmates are in w/ him?
what size tank do you have?

Its a 135 gl. There are a couple false red terrors, buttikoferi, convict, red devil, oscar, jack demp, pleco, a catfish, an arowana.....Despite the amount of aggressive fish in the tank it is fairly peaceful in there. Like I said, I am home all day though so if they are picking on him they are doing it at night. He is still eating though. Theres plenty of space for everybody and plenty of caves as well.

i think fern has the righ idea w/ using a divider to help him heal.
i would do it.
i guess hes on the botom of the todem pole or has no
territory to claim.

Fern wrote:

Make a divider and section off a part of the tank for him so that if its aggression that will stop it.
Do you have any plecos in there? I have heard of plecos chewing on fish......
You can get a new 10g for $13 or so, I suggest you do so and isolate him.

Plecos only chew on fish when there is no food for them to eat so they eat the slime for nutrients.

It's between the buttikoferi and the red devil. That Buttikoferi is gonna need his own 55 soon. I bet you'll catch one of these 2 chasing him.

alan j t wrote:

i think fern has the righ idea w/ using a divider to help him heal.
i would do it.
i guess hes on the botom of the todem pole or has no
territory to claim.

He has his own cave. What can I use as a divider? Or do they make dividers?

They make em. but let me warn you, they are expensive!

You can get a cheap tank divider at Petsmart. I dont know how good they are, I've never used one. Here's a link to one online.

http://www.amazon.com/Lee%60s-Aquarium-Tank-Divider-Gal/dp/B001F95MP8

Is he getting any better?

Nope, just worse. The other fish dont bother him though so I dont know whats going on. I will go to Petsmart in a little bit.