Problem with my new Apistogramma cacatuoides

**Cacatuoides** · 23rd Apr 2006, 18:01

Hi guys,

I just bought a pair of cacatuoides triple red and I followed the usual steps of acclimatising them before releasing them into a 2 ft tank....

Problem is that both apistos are kind of breathing heavily....

PH at 6.5, KH 1...2ft planted, ada soil, java ferns with dithers of pencil fish...

**mickthefish** · 23rd Apr 2006, 18:38

hi caca,
it might sound daft but did you test the water from the lfs, as ive learnt over the years our water is fine but ive had some shocks at the ph some of our lfs keep thier fish at,
one shop i go to had a ph of 4-1 and the lowest my tanks are is 6.4, thats enough to kill any fish.
mick

**yorky** · 23rd Apr 2006, 18:40

Hi Caca, I think it is stressed.
Your water parameter seems ok.
Make sure the tank is well aerated.

**Cacatuoides** · 24th Apr 2006, 01:02

Thats a good pointer mick!! I should have tested the lfs's water too....
There's a sponge filter in there, will probably leave them alone for sometime....
thanks guys!

**mordrake** · 24th Apr 2006, 08:56

pH 6.5 with ada soil? hmm.... might want to confirm that.
heavy breathing probably due to the apistos not used to the co2 levels in the water

**Cacatuoides** · 24th Apr 2006, 12:10

It might be lower, my PH pen is quite slow in reading, probably time to get a new one?
There's no injection of CO2....only sponge filter with aeration

**sheng** · 24th Apr 2006, 12:30

I thought ada soil is suppose to bring PH down. Staying at PH 6.5 mean something is wrong, am i right?

**Cacatuoides** · 25th Apr 2006, 12:45

it should be below 6, i think my ph pen is faulty....
Can anyone recommend a good and cheap ph pen?

**Cacatuoides** · 30th Apr 2006, 12:30

Good News!! The male is slowly recovering, swimming slowly in the tank....added Seachem's stress guard last nite, seems to work well....slowly feeding him too....got to condition him properly before introducing to the female

thanks for the advice guys!!

**yorky** · 30th Apr 2006, 13:08

Originally Posted by Cacatuoides

it should be below 6, i think my ph pen is faulty....
Can anyone recommend a good and cheap ph pen?

I find the Hanna PH Pen quite good and inexpensive.
And good to hear that the fish is coping well to your treatment!

**PeterGwee** · 30th Apr 2006, 13:15

The peat effect does not last forever especially with regular large water changes. Note that the peat effect in aquasoil would soften our tap water (pretty soft already) and bring down both the alkalinity and general hardness which can kill fish if it varies a lot between the LFS water and the tank water. CO2 is not the issue here since the tank owner never inject any.

Regards
Peter Gwee

**Cacatuoides** · 30th Apr 2006, 13:27

Thanks peter!
Yorky: Is hanna the same as Trans instrument?

**Cacatuoides** · 4th May 2006, 23:35

Sorry guys, the male has been eating well, just notice the stomach is a little bloated and whitish, any diagnosis or treatment i can put for prevention? Its swimming normally now.....

**Justikanz** · 5th May 2006, 00:55

Good to hear that the fish is ok.

Since the fish is well now and this thread had served its purpose, I shall close this thread.

So SORRY!

I must be half asleep when I read the previous post! I actually thought the fish had recovered!

Reopened the thread. Hope your fish will recover... *pray*...

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