Parrot problems

[tttnjfttt]

I checked your filters on google, and you 2x's the "average" filtration. One of the reasons you might be having that much trouble with the filters is because of rinsing them in tap water. Chlorine kills the beneficial bacteria, which handles the fish's waste. This is probably the reason why you have been getting ammonia and nitrIte problems. Your nitrAte is looking pretty high as well. What is the nitrAte straight out of your tap? For some people, that reading is normal, others, it is way too high.

How big are the bala sharks and the plecos right now?

 

[WILDER]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=10099

 

[jo_doug]

Thank you both.

I'll check the tap water reading asap.

The Sharks are 1) 3" & 2) 2.5"
The Plec's are 1) 14" & 2) 13.5"

 

[tttnjfttt]

Like Wilder said earlier, plecos are poop machines. I'd seriously consider re-homing them, especially because they are so large and are definately contributing to your water quality issues. How wide is your tank?

 

[jo_doug]

I checked the tap water Nitrite = 0ppm
Nitrate = 5.0 ppm

The tank is 48" x 18" x 15"

 

[tttnjfttt]

How frequently do you do water changes?

Also, looking at the Parrot, are the scales sticking out like a pine cone?

 

[jo_doug]

How frequently do you do water changes?

Also, looking at the Parrot, are the scales sticking out like a pine cone?

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Normally, every 3ish weeks we do a 30% water change.
We had a bad algae problem & we were advised to do a 30% change every other day for a week. Then, 30% once a week for 3 weeks. After that everything was fine.

Her Scales seem fine. She's not changed in appearance except for a slight swelling in her stomach area & she's very pale. She's moving around more than she has been all day. She seems to be hiding

I've found a remedy that says give her a "Pea" for constipation? How on earth do you get her to "Eat" a pea?

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, since this has gone on for so long, I'm gonna quickly re-cap all the issues and what has been said as solutions. Don't feel bad about this, as these are very common issues that many people have.

Over stocked tank – you have too many fish in your tank, as well as some fish that well get too big for your tank. The plecos and bala sharks will get too big for the tank you have, and should be re-homed. The plecos are also responsible for some of the water quality issues you are having.

Filter being cleaned in tap water – Never do this, as it kills the beneficial bacteria that break down the fish’s waste. If the filter gets very gunked up, shake it out in some old tank water.

Ammonia and Nitrite levels – These always need to be zero. Your mini-cycle is probably from rinsing the filter in tap water. Do daily water changes of about 25% until these are back at zero.

Nitrate levels – The nitrate levels should ideally be kept below 40. Since yours are at 40 after a 50% water change, this means you need to increase the frequency of your water changes. With how heavily stocked your tank is, I would do 25% every week.

Large water changes – These are very stressful to your fish, 25% is the max you should ever change at one time.

Bloated Parrot – Finally onto the question that started this all. It does sound like your fish might be constipated. If this was my fish, this would be the first thing I would adress, but I could be wrong here as I've never heard of clear poop. You can try feeding peas by boiling them for a minute. Then pop them out of the shell, and break it into fish sized bites.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Also, try introducing more high fiber foods into its diet, and keep high protine, fatty foods as an occasional treat (i.e. blood worms).

Not the author of this
Because this disorder is due principally to an improper diet, a change in their feeding needs to be made. Dried foods with lots of protein should be kept to a minimum. Pellets and other dense foods should be soaked prior to feeding or completely eliminated from their diet. Foods with lots of fiber should be introduced, such as zucchini, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas, and grated carrots. If you suspect that the fish is victim to a bacterial infection, treat the fish with a medicated food.

 

[jo_doug]

Thanks for the replies Both of you

I'll take note of what you've said, about the water etc.
Hopefully she'll survive & it is just constipation.

Never again will we use tap water to rinse filters! The fish mean a lot to all of us. We don't want to lose any of them.

Thanks Once again.

Brill forum Brill Members !!!

 

[Fella]

Thanks for the replies Both of you

I'll take note of what you've said, about the water etc.
Hopefully she'll survive & it is just constipation.

Never again will we use tap water to rinse filters! The fish mean a lot to all of us. We don't want to lose any of them.

Thanks Once again.

Brill forum Brill Members !!!

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Just thought it would be worth mentioning that blowing into a fishes mouth with a straw isn't a good idea, ever. Fish take in oxygen only via water, if they took it via natural air we use they'd have to lift their mouths out of the tank right? By breathing into a tube you're forcing carbon dioxide when you exhale, not the oxygen the fish needs. If you want to increase the amount of oxygen for the little guy, it'd be worth getting an air pump. Air pumps don't actually put air into the water, their purpose is to break the surface to make gaseous exchange (EG putting more oxygen into the water) more effective. The bubbles that break on the surface get the oxygen into the water.

Good luck with your parrot and I hope he gets better soon.

 

[jo_doug]

Hi wilder & tttnjfttt again,

Just thought I'd pop back to give you an update.
The parrot it turns out out "Fin rot" We noticed the day after these posts that one of her fins was really ragged. Treated the problem & Thank Goodness she's back to normal, terrorising the Plec. Lol

Fella : Point taken about the Oxygen etc. We do have two spray bars in the tank, but I guess when you're a beginner & a fish is in severe distress you do anything you think of to save it. I've learnt by my mistakes. Thanks for your comment though.


Jo

 

[Fella]

It's ace that he's back to normal!
I love parrots.

Yeah don't worry. Using a straw I attempted "mouth to mouth" on a mouse once, when I was a kid. When you're in a panic you'll do anything!

 

[WILDER]

That's good news.

 

[jo_doug]