long tail ancistrus - fast breathing

cristi_ionescu_79 · Post by **cristi_ionescu_79** » 23 Oct 2006, 10:35

Hi,

in a 70 liters tank, I have 4 young longtail ancistrus and 4 prionobrama filigera. Starting yesterday, one ancistrus began to stay at the top of aquarium (few centimeters under the water level) and its breathing is very fast. is it possible to have a gills infection?

thank you in advance,
Cristi Ionescu

PS: ph=7,5; gh=8; kh=5; NO2 = none; O2 = very good (I have used a Sera test kit)
- the tank has been set up on April and I bought all these fishes on August (this year)

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 23 Oct 2006, 12:12

Somehow I suspect that your oxygen level isn't as good as you say!

It is of course possible that they have a gill infection - the sign is definitely that they are lacking oxygen for one reason or another.

What's your ammonia level, and NO3 level?

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Mats

cristi_ionescu_79 · Post by **cristi_ionescu_79** » 23 Oct 2006, 13:07

I dont have tests for NO3 and ammonia

in my tank there are: Tetra EX 600 (external filter), 2 air stones and internal filter (aquael). All of them create a lot of turbulence (annd temp = 26-27 C) .... so i supose that the result of O2 test is ok.

When I will have any news I will let you know

.... and thank you for your quick answer

Best regards,
Cristi Ionescu

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 23 Oct 2006, 13:41

Nitrite would be the biggest contributor to fish not being able to breath well, so assuming that is ruled out (and your test is working correctly), then I guess that's not an issue.

I would start with a big water change (30-50% of the volume of the tank) - that almost always helps fish that are unhealthy for any reason...

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Mats