Sick or trauma?? Polypterus

[Iliketurtles]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If I did not test my water...

...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

If I do not change my water...

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

This morning I awoke to my Polypterus lapradei looking rough! Cloudy eyes, shredded fins, doesn’t look good. However this happened overnight. There’s 2 endis, 2 weeksi, 1delhezi, 1congo and a Senegal in there as well. Everybody else seems completely fine. I find it hard to believe these fish would have fought in a manner that could cause this, especially without me hearing it. Nothing has changed in this tank at all, no new fish no new feeders, nothing. Can’t think of something that could cause a singular fish to get sick in here. Any ideas??

 

[Caveden]

Looks more of poor water quality to me. Bichir fighting will result in shredded/ torn fins, whereas in your photo the tail fin looks in shape, but fin rot is occurring. Do test your water quality. Cloudy eyes is another symptom of poor water quality.
I’m not entirely certain. kno4te may chime in on this.

 

[Iliketurtles]

Looks more of poor water quality to me. Bichir fighting will result in shredded/ torn fins, whereas in your photo the tail fin looks in shape, but fin rot is occurring. Do test your water quality. Cloudy eyes is another symptom of poor water quality.
I’m not entirely certain. kno4te may chime in on this.

I tested the water, the only thing off is slight ammonia. Nitrites 0 and avg amount of nitrates. I do weekly water changes on this tank and stare at these fish every day. When I say this happened overnight I’m not lying. I had company over on Tuesday and was particularly bragging about this fish and how its colors and pattern were really starting to pop. The fish looked great. I agree this doesn’t look like trauma from a fight, I would hear it anyways if these fish went at it like that. The only thing I have to run with right now is the slight ammonia. Yet a few months ago one of my canisters got unplugged unbeknownst to me for at least a week, when I finally noticed I tested the water and the ammonia was significantly higher, all the fish acted fine. Just can’t see how this small spike would send a singular fish overboard so quickly. Right after I made this post I began a water change and setting up a hosp tank. While draining the tank this fish was already being sporadic and twitching. Within 15 minutes in the hosp tank it was lateral, and 15 more minutes later it was dead. This sucks, I have tons of fish so I’m no stranger but this is my first big polypterus I have lost. They are my fav fish of all my collection. I just pray whatever it was doesn’t continue throughout this tank I would be devastated.

 

[Caveden]

I tested the water, the only thing off is slight ammonia. Nitrites 0 and avg amount of nitrates. I do weekly water changes on this tank and stare at these fish every day. When I say this happened overnight I’m not lying. I had company over on Tuesday and was particularly bragging about this fish and how its colors and pattern were really starting to pop. The fish looked great. I agree this doesn’t look like trauma from a fight, I would hear it anyways if these fish went at it like that. The only thing I have to run with right now is the slight ammonia. Yet a few months ago one of my canisters got unplugged unbeknownst to me for at least a week, when I finally noticed I tested the water and the ammonia was significantly higher, all the fish acted fine. Just can’t see how this small spike would send a singular fish overboard so quickly. Right after I made this post I began a water change and setting up a hosp tank. While draining the tank this fish was already being sporadic and twitching. Within 15 minutes in the hosp tank it was lateral, and 15 more minutes later it was dead. This sucks, I have tons of fish so I’m no stranger but this is my first big polypterus I have lost. They are my fav fish of all my collection. I just pray whatever it was doesn’t continue throughout this tank I would be devastated.

Yes. Does sound like a water quality issue to me which caused this problem. Tank should have zero ammonia. You mentioned your tank having slight ammonia, while the issue occurred overnight. To me, the issue was cause by a large ammonia spike in the middle of the night and decreased later in the day. By the time you tried to save it, it was too late. this is backed up by the fact, if noticed in the picture, the bichir to the most right has slight gill curl/ damage, indicative of ammonia burn. Sorry for your loss however.

continue testing your water regularly the next few days. Careful of any more ammonia spikes. as shown by the pictures you may have quit a heavy bioload ( similar to me, but i upkeep my strong filtration and dont overfeed), hence resulting in this issue. What kind of filtration do you use?

 

[Iliketurtles]

Yes. Does sound like a water quality issue to me which caused this problem. Tank should have zero ammonia. You mentioned your tank having slight ammonia, while the issue occurred overnight. To me, the issue was cause by a large ammonia spike in the middle of the night and decreased later in the day. By the time you tried to save it, it was too late. this is backed up by the fact, if noticed in the picture, the bichir to the most right has slight gill curl/ damage, indicative of ammonia burn. Sorry for your loss however.

continue testing your water regularly the next few days. Careful of any more ammonia spikes. as shown by the pictures you may have quit a heavy bioload ( similar to me, but i upkeep my strong filtration and dont overfeed), hence resulting in this issue. What kind of filtration do you use?

The fish you mentioned is the only other fish with symptoms, I noticed the gills you are talking about after posting. So I’d have to agree, although these fish have experienced worse conditions (nothing to be proud of) the ammonia spike must be the culprit. Definitely a heavy bio load as well, it’s a 75g w/ a Fluval 407 and the larger pennplex series running on it. I have a 250 I want these fish in, but it needs re sealed, and my living situation has been up in the air for a bit so I’ve been hesitant to re seal then move it and potentially have to seal it again… looks like I need to just get going on it though. That tank will run with a full sump. Thanks for the responses guys

 

[kno4te]

Suspect water quality issues. Fish that are stressed can get affected more easy. Maybe from the other bichirs. I’d increase your water changes twice a week. Add some salt 1 tsp per gallon. Update as it goes.

 

[Iliketurtles]

Suspect water quality issues. Fish that are stressed can get affected more easy. Maybe from the other bichirs. I’d increase your water changes twice a week. Add some salt 1 tsp per gallon. Update as it goes.

I actually typically do a large water change on this every 4th day. I had just done one a few days prior, and had not fed heavily since. Really not sure what caused the ammonia spike. Last night the ammonia was already back to 0, I dosed with salt as well. Everybody was all good this morning. Really freaking bummed about this fish but thankful it was not any worse , could have been tragic.