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GSP 'itching' on things...

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:04 pm
by lilgirlkat
1) Your water parameters - ph - 7.2 ~ ammonia - 0 ppm ~ nitrite - 0-.25 ppm ~ nitrate 40 ppm ~ sg 1.004ppm

2) Tank is a 55 or 65 gallon hex. (this is not my tank, and I don't agree with it's inhabitants, so please don't comment on those things. I know!! lol) 2 GSP (maaaybe 2"), a survived feeder goldfish, 2 tetras, 3 giant danios, 2 'zipper fish', 4 cory cats, a ginormous pleco, a striped peacock eel,

3)Fish are fed a cube of either frozen (thawed first) brine shrimp, bloodworms, mysis shrimp or krill, along with some flakes for the other fish (twice daily). Recently, the bf did a massive overhaul on the tank, which I'm sure included a decent sized water change, and scrubbing of algae. he knows better than to do more than a 50% change. He has also recently switched over from 'aquarium salt' to instant ocean.

4)The most recent water change was about a week ago.

5) The tank has been set up for YEARS. It was a neglected tank that the BF got for cheap (or free). It included some fish that are still in the tank (the tetras, which is why there's only 2, we're waiting for them to kick the bucket). It has been long since cycled, and has had fish in it since.



Alrighty -- now that I'm done with the important stuff, let me tell you what our lovely GSPs have been up to. Since the water change last week, I've been noticing the GSPs have been acting a little different. They take turns letting the filter intake suck on them. Here's a pic from yesterday. This is little puff (other is big puff, original, I know!).

Image

They look completely dead when they're 'stuck' on the intake, but as soon as I put my hand near them, they swim right off it. Their bellies turn black and they zoom around the tank. About two nights ago, I watched big puff 'itch' his little face on the castle in the tank.

I seem to remember reading something about this kind of behavior, but my searches were fruitless. They are still eating like normal, still beating up on fatty, the feeder goldfish that lived, and they still beg for food.


What's going on in my bf's tank?

Re: GSP 'itching' on things...

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:31 pm
by biggy101
I think they went into shock from the large overhaul and salt change. Just cross your fingers and keep an eye on them. As long as they keep eating there is hope.

Re: GSP 'itching' on things...

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:33 pm
by pinkfloydpuffer
Itching or flashing is usually a sign of nitrite poisoning or external parasites...

Re: GSP 'itching' on things...

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 1:56 pm
by lilgirlkat
:) I just chatted with some helpful folk in the chat (thanks again, guys). As of now, I'm going to add some stresscoat to the water (it has been confirmed that NOTHING was used in the water change). I'm also venturing to guess that the BF added too much salt at one time, which might also have something to do with it.

I can assure you that he'll be gettin a good talking to tonight, and God help him if he attempts to help me with my tanks. Ooooooh, I'll have his @r$e!

Re: GSP 'itching' on things...

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:03 pm
by Pufferpunk
I had a feeling I should have jumped in on that chat... Stresscoat is a waste of $$$. Better to use Melafix. Also, no amount of nitrite is safe & nitrate should be <20.

None of those other fish are BW & will eventually die from the salt levels necessary to keep a GSP healthy. IMO, remove all the other inhabitants from that tank & raise the SG as per the GSP article in our Library.

Re: GSP 'itching' on things...

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:58 pm
by lilgirlkat
I added the stresscoat to dechlorinate the water (which it says it does?), since it hadn't been done at the water change.

I agree with you about the other fish, but I can not convince the BF that he's harming them, no matter how much research I show him. Unfortunately, he won't allow me to get another tank for the GSP (we already have 4 tanks) and I have no freshwater tank to move the other fish into other than the DP's 10 gallon, which isn't an option.

I'll have him do a water change to get the nitrites and nitrates down, and I suppose I could hit up the LFS (again) to get that other product.