dinosaur bichir

[Mealverson]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

31-40%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every month

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

We woke a week ago with all fish in my dinosaur bichir tank dead. We cleaned the tank enough for him to stay in that night but went to get him a new tank to move into the next day. We bought him a 75g tank and he is active but I noticed a white spot on his tail. Mushu is about 16 years old this year. Any ideal what this could be?

 

[tlindsey]

We woke a week ago with all fish in my dinosaur bichir tank dead. We cleaned the tank enough for him to stay in that night but went to get him a new tank to move into the next day. We bought him a 75g tank and he is active but I noticed a white spot on his tail. Mushu is about 16 years old this year. Any ideal what this could be?

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Welcome aboard

Great job of caring for the male Senegal for 16 yrs. It's hard to tell what the white spot is from the pic.
I suggest you get the water parameters tested and post them. Also would recommend changing water weekly atleast 50% instead of monthly also don’t forget to add dechlorinator.

 

[Caveden]

Can’t really tell but it just looks like an injury..

 

[kno4te]

Does look like an injury. Clean water should help.

 

[Bara fisk]

Unfortunate but very interesting , what was the other fish in the tank ? , i have had some wierd bichir passings but that is long gone after i moved them away from my plecos..

 

[Mealverson]

Unfortunate but very interesting , what was the other fish in the tank ? , i have had some wierd bichir passings but that is long gone after i moved them away from my plecos..

I had Tiger Barbs, a Rainbow Shark and Feeder fish in his Tank. I used to always keep feeder fish for him so he would leave everything else alone in the tank. Now he is by his self he seems to be doing just fine. The white on his tail he ate off or something. 2 days after the original post I noticed it slowly going away and then I noticed what he was doing to his tail.

 

[tlindsey]

Feeder fish in his Tank. I used to always keep feeder fish

Do you quarantine the feeders?
Great update.

 

[Mealverson]

Do you quarantine the feeders?
Great update.

I never have before but that is a great ideal. I had never thought of it before. I normally just get him a dozen at a time. He normally had them all eaten within a couple of weeks.

 

[tlindsey]

I never have before but that is a great ideal. I had never thought of it before. I normally just get him a dozen at a time. He normally had them all eaten within a couple of weeks.

Yes I've learned feeders are not always healthy and can carry harmful pathogens and diseases to your fish.

 

[Mealverson]

Yes I've learned feeders are not always healthy and can carry harmful pathogens and diseases to your fish.

Since the tank incident he does not get feeders anymore. One of his favorites is frozen Shrimp. My husband teases me that my Bichir eats better than him.