Hey guys, I recently purchased a Lapradei bichir from my LFS. It is severely underweight, but eating. I've had it for two days but it is breathing extremely awkwardly, and I have kept multiple bichirs to raise them up but I have never had one like this. My params are all normal, PH 7.4, temp is 79F, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate, and the tank has been established for two months, the material itself for five.
The bichir has eaten 3 small bloodworms, and 4 very small tilapia chunks. When it breathes, it holds its mouth open, takes a big gulp, then holds it, and repeats. Almost as if it was gasping for air. It will also puff out its throat, and huff, comparable to what a male frog would do. To add, this guy had both of its pectoral fins nipped off at the fish store, so I bet stress is a factor, but I am pretty worried as I have never seen this behavior outside of certain reptiles and amphibians. Should I be concerned?
The bichir has eaten 3 small bloodworms, and 4 very small tilapia chunks. When it breathes, it holds its mouth open, takes a big gulp, then holds it, and repeats. Almost as if it was gasping for air. It will also puff out its throat, and huff, comparable to what a male frog would do. To add, this guy had both of its pectoral fins nipped off at the fish store, so I bet stress is a factor, but I am pretty worried as I have never seen this behavior outside of certain reptiles and amphibians. Should I be concerned?
