A little worried about my shark

[@ombomb]

I have a large Orange Tailed Black shark that was moved into a new tank around a month ago. The new tank is MUCH bigger than the old one (about 160 litre capacity) and I have been concerned about getting the oxygenation correct, so the filter (Fluval 4) is currently on the medium setting which is really moving the water around the tank.

My concern is that the shark is not as active as it was in the old aquarium, despite tests showing acceptable water conditions (0 Amonia / Nitrite / Nitrate 7-7.2pH). Could this be casued by the water movement?

I have been warned that it's best not to put smaller fish in with the shark, but have always found it a very placid community fish. Do you think that it'll be all right with coolie loaches?

 

[GSD]

do you mean red tailed black shark?(ive never heard of a oranage tailed one)

 

[@ombomb]

Yes....


One of these:

 

[bluefire]

it could be that its ajusting itself to the new tank after the move, fish can take a while sometimes to get used to new surroundings.

 

[@ombomb]

I certainly hope so, I've had her (i think it's a her) for about 4 years now and seen her grow from about 4 to 12 cm, so it'd be a real shame to lose her.

 

[bluefire]

if your worried about the oxygen levels you could add an airstone or two to create some surface agitation, but other than that i don't know what you could do.

 

[@ombomb]

Well the filter is supposed to be sufficient for a tank of about 200 litres so I think that it is fine, as long as the shark dosen't mind the amount of water movement around the bottom of the tank where is spends 90% of it's time.

What is the best way to test whether the tank is sufficiently oxygenated?

 

[annka5]

Am sure this is obvious, but the filter outlet is at the top of the tank, ie the surface? Also, you could get a spray bar, which will reduce the current if you put it on/just above the water line, and also increases surface movement and therefore oxygen levels.

 

[@ombomb]

I have an attachment for the filter that makes little bubbles shoot out, is that the sort of thing you mean anna?

I don't use it at the moment, as it makes quite a noise, but I could use it at night time I suppose.

Ultimately I still need two answers though:

1) Do Red Tailed sharks dislike a lot of water movement

2) Is it possible to test how well oxygenated the water is

 

[annka5]

a - Have never kept them, but would assume that from their shape and swimming style, yes. However, there's a current and there's living in the equivalent of a washing machine on spin cycle.
b - Not that I've ever heard of.