Amazon Leaf Fish

[Jennifer_R]

Does any one else have any experience with Amazon Leaf Fish Monocirrhus polyacanthus?

I am not familiar with what causes the symptoms of swollen gills and loss of apatite in this species.

This is the second one that has experienced this within the last three months. My water quality is kept at 6.5pH and temperature 78F, standard for this fish. I raise feeders especially for this unique fish, and feed it every day as required. I have hard water in my area, and I suspect it is the hard water that is causing this. However, I do not know.

The fish store where I purchased the fish are amazed they are doing well for as long as they have. My first one lasted close to a year before passing away from the same symptoms.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[CFC]

I kept them for a couple of years but never encountered the disease you describe.
I kept mine at a pH of 6.5 by using RO water and peat in the filter, also found they they do much better if kept in a species only tank. They do require a large ammount of disolved oxygen in the water so prehaps your problem may lay there.

 

[Jennifer_R]

I took the Leaf Fish out of my 100 gal and moved him in my 20 gal breeder tank. He's doing a little better, still not eating. I hope he'll take out a few of the adolescent female Mollies.

I think it's the tank, filter, or something. I'll post else ware, but I've taken fish out of the 100 gal before dead cold and hard. Stuck them in one of the smaller tanks - *poof* magic, they survive. All the water is filled from the same source, and same products used.

I'll look into what you suggested to use for my filter & oxygen sources. Thanks!

 

[Jennifer_R]

Good News! I last left this topic with hopes that my Leaf Fish would take out a few of the Mollies he was tank mates with in my 20gal until I could figure out what was wrong with my 100gal.

"CFC"
Peat moss - or peat pellets as I used, has been one factor in creating an appetite for my Leaf Fish again. In combination with a 50% water change a gravel vacuum and 24 hours with a (in tank) floating nylon stocking filled with concentrated peat pellets. This morning my awesome Leaf Fish is hunting feeders again!

YES! I am so excited! Thank you for the Peat Moss advice!

 

[CFC]

Glad its all worked out for you

 

[Jennifer_R]

Please Help: Now my Leaf Fish hasn't eaten in weeks! Feeder Guppies taught him swimming by his lure and he just floats away. What is going on?

Also, poor thing has fungus one growing one side.


Thanks!

Test results of my water (tested 12-04-2003):
Temp 78º
pH 6.8
Nitrate 0ppm(Mg/L)
Ammonia 0ppm(mg/L)
Carbonate & General Hardness (kH & GH) scale range is 11º-22º(200-400ppm) *Tring to keep the hardness down, peat moss is working little, but at least it's brought it down to 11º-22º(200-400ppm), before it was off this scale!

 

[CFC]

Sorry but i really dont know what else you can do Try a mild anti fungal treatment to cure the fungus and make sure that water quallity is the best it can be, i dont know whats available your side of the pond but a good lfs should be able to steer you in the right direction. Also if you can get them try glassworms which remain in the upper parts of the tank and are very enticing to motion sensative predators like leaf fishes.

 

[Jennifer_R]

Thanks CFC!