junebug0394

Hi, My Red Bellied Pacu Spanky, has been acting strange lately and I'm really hoping he's not sick, He hasn't been eating which is really strange for him because usually he gets all excited and gobbles up his food right away when he gets fed, and he usually gets excited when he is talked to and follows you, like if I'm in the kitchen he'll be on that end of his tank etc. but lately he's been pretty non-responsive.
He recently had a water change and we've been thinking maybe it's the change in pH. The ph is 6.8 or so and we're thinking he might be used to a higher ph. We added salt to raise the ph and lower his stress level but it didn't seem to really do much to the ph level. He has also been lighter or paler in color lately. His tank is a 55 gallon, which I already know is too small for him. We got him when he was tiny and now he is about 19" long. He dosen't have any tank mates, he used to but some of them died and he ate some of them. I am not sure how old he is or how long we've had him.

If you have any input or thoughts on how I can get my big fishy feeling better, it would be much appreciated! Thank-You so much in advance!!!

Tony G.

WECOME TO FISHLORE
first of all, do you know about the nitrogen cycle, if not, you can find about it here:
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
also, do you have a test kit?? many users reccomend the API master test kit.
i think it might be the size of his tank. ive heard they are VERY mesy fish. maybe the ammonia is getting to him??
Do oyu have any pics of your fish friend ?

ABCDemily

WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

There are a lot of things that could be the issue.
A) An un-cycled tank, read the link as tony suggested if you aren't sure.
B) The tank's just too small and it's damaging him
C) He's getting old

As for the small tank, maybe try rehoming him into a display tank at a reputable aquarium shop, or even better, an actual aquarium. It's never the best to lose a fish friend, but at leasrt he'll grow old and lead a happy life. You could also upgrade the tank, according to the fish info, they need a tank of AT LEAST 250 gallons.

This has probably stunted his growth, which may have damaged his internal systems, making him prone to stress and more likley for disease.

Dependant on how long you've had him, it could be near his time to go. 19 inches is a big fish, and probably an old fish, and signs of listlessness and tiredness are often the first signs that a fish is succombing to old age.

I'd up his water changes, to see if there is an ammonia issue as they are very messy eaters, and dose with Prime to neutralise the ammonia if it is present. I'd look into getting a 250 gallon + tank as soon as physically possible so he can live out his life in full.

Salt, can somes be a stressor towards fish, which, if he isn't used to salt, could be causing him to act out of character.

The best way to raise pH ios by using crushed coral. Get a handful and rinse VERY thoroughly under water, then bury under the substrate, test the pH. If still low, repeat the process until you are satisfied that Spanky has the correct pH for him.

Good luck with him, I hope he perks up

junebug0394

Thanks, Here is a picture of Spanky, (how he looks now) He usually has more color.
I have a test kit but it only tests for ph and chlorine. He is used to salt, but crushed coral sounds like a good idea.

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ABCDemily

Woah! Big fish! I think lack of colour can attribute to old age and stress, but I'm not a pacu expert, and I'm not sure if anyone on here keeps them. Hmmm.

I'd look into getting an API liquid master test kit. Beats strips. It tests for everything you need, and will help us see if there is something underhand in this tank.

On an even more serious note, Spanky has to have a bigger tank. The tank he's in now is 1/5 of the bare MINIMUM size for a red belly pacu, keeping a large fish in a small tank is cruel. And stunts their growth very much so. it's hard to let a beloved fish go, but I personally think that it's better for the fish, and the person who gives hgim away will feel better about giving the fish a new lease of life. I had to give my RTS away, and I feel a lot better with myself knowing that she has a better home and a much longer life.

aquarist48

Good morning. Wow! What a fish. My brother had Pacu's that grew to 26" in a 125g tank and had no room to turn around.
Good suggestion about adding the crushed coral to raise your pH levels.
Since you don't know what the readings are for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate I would suggest doing a 50% water changes. Add some Prime or Aquel + to detox the ammonia (just in case there is some). Too, some Nova Aqua is a great stress reliever and adds body slime.
API Master Test Kits (liquid not the strips) are highly recommended here. Check the pH levels of your tap water. If it is higher than 6.8 then chances are you can help maintain a higher pH with regular water changes.
Best of luck. He sure is a beautiful fish.
I hope you consider getting him a bigger home.

Tony G.

woah! he is deffinatly big echoing amanda here on the tank size. To me he kinda looks stunted. Notice how the pacu in the picture, has a different shape to his back than the one in your picture. this is caused because your tank is just not big enough for him.

Consider taking him to an aquarium. IT will deffinatly make his life longer and happier. he might even get himself a girlfriend Many members who made the same mistake (its normal, we all start out like this) have taken their overgrown fish to Aquariums or display tanks, because they cannot care for it, and want it to live a better life .

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junebug0394

Hi, we upped the water changes and it must have been amonia or something because he is back to himself again! Its good to have my spanky fishy back.
I've been looking into getting him a bigger tank, if we can't get one than we might have to give him to an aquarium or someone with a bigger tank that wants him. : ( I'll be sad if we have to give him away, but atleast he would have more room to swim, which would make me happy.

P.s Thanks for all your help! : )

Tony G.

glad he's doing better