First Polypterus: need advice!

[elbereth]

Thank you both. The spot hasn't changed much. But I've been keeping a closer eye on him and I've noticed that he swims up to the glass and thrashes around periodically. (Near the bottom, not mid-level or at the surface.) Very similar to what is described in this thread: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/threads/bichirs-thrashing-about-a-bit.645244/ He continues to eat well. In fact, if I didn't know bichirs have poor eyesight, I would've thought he's begging for food.

I suspect either beginning stages of ich (I'd lowered the temperature to 73F because my plants were melting), detritus worms getting into the gills and causing irritation, or some sort of external parasite. I should also note that he seems to have become a bit paler and pinker (maybe because of the white substrate?) There's definitely a tinge of pink at the base of the pectoral fins. I've turned up the temperature to 75F. I know I shouldn't treat with meds unnecessarily but I'm keeping Seamchem ParaGuard or API Melafix in mind should I need it.

I know it seems like I'm reporting every tiny problem my poly seems to have - the thread has gotten massive, sorry! - but research is no match for experience, and this being my first poly, I wouldn't know normal behaviours from illness symptoms. Thanks again for all your help everyone!

 

[thefredpit]

can you get a video of the thrashing

 

[elbereth]

 

[Polyaddict86]

Video is not playing

 

[elbereth]

Video is not playing

Working now?

 

[Polyaddict86]

That is normal, most of my poly do that even big polys.

 

[elbereth]

Truly? Can I sleep in peace? (Lol!) I've been reading everything I can find on poly diseases and there are some grisly cases out there... What about the pinkish hue? I've read that pinkish fins can be an indication of bacterial infection.

And has anyone ever dealt with detritus worms in their poly tanks? I don't have an infestation (yet!) but I see one or two worms every time I look in the tank. I do partial water changes every 2-3 days, vacuum the sand assiduously... in sum, I don't know how I could make the tank any cleaner. As I mentioned, my plants are melting so I assume that's why the worms are out and about. But he seems to like hiding in them and I like the way the tank looks with them. Should I wait it out or remove the affected plants immediately? (I trim the dying leaves as much as possible.) If you've ever dealt with a similar issue, please share your experiences!

 

[kno4te]

Would remove any dead plants. It’ll eventually increase ur nitrates.

The pinkish hue is nothing to be alarmed about. It’s when the fish is sick and not eating. Then it becomes a big problem. Then you have to consider infection Or septicemia.

In regards to the detritus worms. There maybe some on eating food left over somewhere under some decor or something. Just keep doing the water changes and gravel vacuuming. Removing food and eventually it’ll disappear. Don’t treat with meds the lasso cause chaos with your water prime if I go to the detritus worms. There maybe some on eating food left over somewhere under some decor or something. Just keep doing the water changes and gravel vacuuming. Removing food and eventually it’ll disappear. Don’t treat with meds the cause chaos with your water parameters.

 

[elbereth]

That's a relief, thank you. The plants are not dying completely, just acclimating after the transfer and losing leaves. I'm trimming as needed.

Two more questions: I've been reading about prophylactic quarantine treatment. I never quarantined this little fellow because he has a tank of his own and I didn't know then about the plethora of parasites a bichir could carry. Should I treat him at this point or only if symptoms appear? I'm hoping to get one or two more bichirs soon. I'll definitely quarantine them but if I don't treat this guy and he has something, there's a chance the new additions will get infected again.

And what would be a good substitute for Jungle Labs Parasite Guard? No one seems to carry it where I live.

 

[Polyaddict86]

Yeah i wont worry about how the del is acting, thats pretty normal for them.