As you know i got a Fahaka about 2 weeks ago. Since then he has not eaten and there has only been 2 days that he was active. There are snails and crays in the tank for when he is huingry. He hides in the rear corner of my tank behind a rock and plants for cover. Just curious to see if anyone has any insight . I know fahakas can go weeks w/o eating and can take a while to get acclimated to his new tank. The room is pretty active also. He still looks good. Color is still the same.
Tank Parameters
Nitrate-12
Nitrite-0
Ammonia-0
P.H. 7.2
Temp 81.4
125 Gal
Filtration- 2 emperor 400's, Eheim 2229, 30 Gal W/D Sump
Fahaka not active or eating
Forum rules
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
Read this before posting!!
Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.
1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.
2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.
3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)
4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.
5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.
We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.
While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.
Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
-
Agnate
- Former Staff Member
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Re: Fahaka not active or eating
How does his stomach look? If it looks bloated, really bumpy, or emaciated, he could have internal parasites (unless you've already treated him), which would affect his mood and eating regime. If he seems to be looking healthy, then it's likely just stress caused by the new environment that he's in.
If the room is really active, I suggest temporarily covering up the back, two sides, and part of the front (maybe 1/4 - 1/8 on each side of the front) with black bristle board/foam/construction paper. He's probably just extremely nervous about all the movement, and by blocking off his line of sight with everything but the front (and even blocking parts of the front), he won't be so startled, and maybe he'll become less shy. Then, over the next several months (after he associates you with food and whatnot), you can slowly begin to cut back the black boards (first remove the front parts, then half of the sides, then all of the sides - best to leave the back one on).
Also, I'd try having dimmer lights (if possible), as it could be the amount of light that's also causing stress.
If you don't notice any improvement after another week of having most of the tank covered, we'll have to consider some other options.
If the room is really active, I suggest temporarily covering up the back, two sides, and part of the front (maybe 1/4 - 1/8 on each side of the front) with black bristle board/foam/construction paper. He's probably just extremely nervous about all the movement, and by blocking off his line of sight with everything but the front (and even blocking parts of the front), he won't be so startled, and maybe he'll become less shy. Then, over the next several months (after he associates you with food and whatnot), you can slowly begin to cut back the black boards (first remove the front parts, then half of the sides, then all of the sides - best to leave the back one on).
Also, I'd try having dimmer lights (if possible), as it could be the amount of light that's also causing stress.
If you don't notice any improvement after another week of having most of the tank covered, we'll have to consider some other options.
Did our staff successfully help you? The Puffer Forum is an incredible resource and is run completely on the donations of its viewers. Proceeds from the Puffer Forum store go towards future contests and keeping the site running. Donations may also be made via PayPal.
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
His stomach is shapley but streamline. He was treeated fror parasites a few weeks before i recieved him from the previous owner so its not that. The lights are pretty dim only 1 sun glow bulb in a double bulb setup. The room isnt extremly active maybe i described it wrong. A few times a day someone will walk by the tank and maybe a few times a week ill work in front of the tank. And if it means anything his tail opens fully frequently.
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Agnate
- Former Staff Member
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- Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:44 pm
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1 Abei Puffer [Monotrete Abei]
(Captain Abe) - Location: Ontario, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
If he seems pretty healthy and has already been treated, then he's likely just shy and getting used to things. You might find it a speedier "de-shying" if you covers parts of the tank for a bit, though. 
Did our staff successfully help you? The Puffer Forum is an incredible resource and is run completely on the donations of its viewers. Proceeds from the Puffer Forum store go towards future contests and keeping the site running. Donations may also be made via PayPal.
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
- Paul
40 gallon - Future home of Abei Puffer
28 gallon - 1 Abei Puffer (Captain Abe)
5 gallon - 1 Betta (Frederico)
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
Ok, Ill try covering most of the tank with black paper. The back is already black.
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
Ok what i did is take black plastic sheeting and covered 1 side (side she hangs out on) and most of the front of the tank. Lets see what happens
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
Not 30 mins later and i see her swim by the opening in the front of the tank. keep your fingers crossed.
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LilGreenPuffer
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Re: Fahaka not active or eating
*crosses fingers*
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
She finally ate today!!
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LilGreenPuffer
- Former Staff Member
- Posts: 5301
- Joined: Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:26 pm
- Gender: Female
- My Puffers: Dwarf puffer - Thumbelina (only mine in my heart now; she lives in CT with my friend)
RIP Inigo Montoya, Fezzik, and Vizinni.
RIP James Bond. - Location (country): United States
- Location: Kentucky
Re: Fahaka not active or eating
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him or her. Will she gain anything by it? Will it restore her to a control over her own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to freedom for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
Found among the papers of Mohatma Gandhi
Come and visit http://www.thetriopsforum.com!
I AM A DUDETTE!
NEED NITRIFYING BACTERIA FOR YOUR NEW TANK? PM ME!
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Pufferpunk
- Queen Admin
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Re: Fahaka not active or eating
Very cool, what did she eat?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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edmlfc1
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Re: Fahaka not active or eating
Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Now she's going to turn into a little piggy. 
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