HELP! My apistogramma isn’t looking too hot

[wtusa17]

I got a trio of apistogramma cacatuoides double red 2 and a half weeks ago. One female died after a week but the pair has been going strong. I woke up today to see my male only sitting on the bottom and not eating. I already put some stress coat in the tank. My ph is around 7.8. Here is what he looks like

 

[Salty&Onion]

Don't put stress coat in the tank as it contains aloe vera which hurts fish's gills.

 

[wtusa17]

Don't put stress coat in the tank as it contains aloe vera which hurts fish's gills.

I thought it was the opposite?

 

[Salty&Onion]

No

 

[wtusa17]

No

O ok. But it’s supposed to reduce stress?

 

[Byron]

When fish show symptoms as here, the best (and usually only) thing to do is a large water change.

Stress Coat is not going to help whatever this is; and yes, over time it does impact fish gills according to scientific studies. Stress is caused by many things, from the wrong water parameters to the tank size to the aquascape to other fish, to disease...anything that is outside what the fish needs can cause stress. Stress Coat is not going to address any of this. Coating the fish's skin with aloe vera or whatever else is not going to relieve stress.

 

[PhantomCarp]

O ok. But it’s supposed to reduce stress?

“Supposed” to

 

[wtusa17]

“Supposed” to

That’s what I was getting at. Never using that stuff again

 

[wtusa17]

When fish show symptoms as here, the best (and usually only) thing to do is a large water change.

Stress Coat is not going to help whatever this is; and yes, over time it does impact fish gills according to scientific studies. Stress is caused by many things, from the wrong water parameters to the tank size to the aquascape to other fish, to disease...anything that is outside what the fish needs can cause stress. Stress Coat is not going to address any of this. Coating the fish's skin with aloe vera or whatever else is not going to relieve stress.

So I should do a water change right now? I thought large water changes can cauSe stress?

 

[wtusa17]

Ok he is up and swimming now.

 

[Colin_T]

What is the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate of the tank water?

Is the fish really fat?
If yes, how suddenly did it get fat?

-------------------
As Byron said, do a big water change (75%) and gravel clean each day for a week and test the water quality.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Big daily water changes are fine as long as the new water has a similar temperature and chemistry (pH & GH) to the tank, and as long as the new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine.

If the water quality is good and there's no improvement after a couple of big water changes, post more pics.

 

[wtusa17]

What is the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate of the tank water?

Is the fish really fat?
If yes, how suddenly did it get fat?

-------------------
As Byron said, do a big water change (75%) and gravel clean each day for a week and test the water quality.
Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

If the water quality is good and there's no improvement after a couple of big water changes, post more pics.

I just tested when I saw him and it’s 0 ammonia and nitrite and 10 nitrates. And yes, he is looking fat actually. He didn’t look like this on Sunday

 

[Salty&Onion]

Ok he is up and swimming now.

That's good. You did the water change?

 

[wtusa17]

That's good. You did the water change?

No not yet. I think I’m gonna do one right now. Wouldn’t a 50% water change stress him out more?

 

[seangee]

A 75% water change is my first response to any sign of distress or abnormal behaviour in any of my tanks. 9/10 times no further action is needed, except perhaps another change the next day.