Apistogramma Agassizii breathing heavily

[porscheboy]

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 20 gallons
How long has the tank been running? More than 4 years
Does it have a filter? Yes, Aqueon Quiet flow 50. Using Sponge and Seachem Matrix
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 80 F
What is the entire stocking of this tank?
1x Apistogramma Agassizii Double Red
5x Male Guppy
5x Kuhli Loaches
4x Guppy Fry

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Once a week
How much of the water do you change? 30-40%
What do you use to treat your water? Seachem Prime
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? I vacuum the substrate

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API Master Test Kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
pH: 7.6

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Once a day
How much do you feed your fish? Half a cube of frozen food, some micro pellets
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Hikari, San Francisco
Do you feed frozen? Yes
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? More than 3 years
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? 3 days
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Fish is breathing heavily, has some white spots that looks like Ich
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No

Explain your emergency situation in detail.
The Apistogramma (I've had this fish for about 3 years) has been breathing very heavily for 2-3 days. When I look very closely, I see a few white spots on it. The spots are very faint, and I didn't see them grow. At first, I've thought that it's ich, but the spots have not grown for the past 2-3 days. I tested the water using API test kit. The readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, about 20 nitrates, and 7.6 ph (my ph of around 7.5 has been consistent since I have had this aquarium and the Apistogramma, so I don't think the ph is the problem.) The aquarium temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Other fish are also not bothering the Apistogramma, so that's also not the problem.

I have an air stone, and a 50 gallon filter which includes sponge and Seachem Matrix. This aquarium has been established for around 4 years.

Include pictures

https://imgur.com/a/ydfXIQi

 

[Hellfishguy]

Three years is a very respectable age for an Apistogramma; it just might be coming to the end of its lifespan. The 80 degree temperature probably helped to age it faster than it would have at lower temps.

 

[sunflower430]

Poor thing is looking extremely unwell and uncomfortable. Is he eating? Do you have a quarantine tank you can move him to? I hope others have suggestions, but if my fish was like this for going on 3 days I would probably be considering euthanasia. Hard for me to see the spots you are mentioning in the pic.... could it be velvet? If so, you need to treat your tank ASAP.

 

[Fishfur]

Tank
What is the water volume of the tank? 20 gallons
How long has the tank been running? More than 4 years
Does it have a filter? Yes, Aqueon Quiet flow 50. Using Sponge and Seachem Matrix
Does it have a heater? Yes
What is the water temperature? 80 F
What is the entire stocking of this tank?
1x Apistogramma Agassizii Double Red
5x Male Guppy
5x Kuhli Loaches
4x Guppy Fry

Maintenance
How often do you change the water? Once a week
How much of the water do you change? 30-40%
What do you use to treat your water? Seachem Prime
Do you vacuum the substrate or just the water? I vacuum the substrate

*Parameters - Very Important
Did you cycle your tank before adding fish? Yes
What do you use to test the water? API Master Test Kit
What are your parameters? We need to know the exact numbers, not just “fine” or “safe”.
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20
pH: 7.6

Feeding
How often do you feed your fish? Once a day
How much do you feed your fish? Half a cube of frozen food, some micro pellets
What brand of food do you feed your fish? Hikari, San Francisco
Do you feed frozen? Yes
Do you feed freeze-dried foods? No

Illness & Symptoms
How long have you had this fish? More than 3 years
How long ago did you first notice these symptoms? 3 days
In a few words, can you explain the symptoms? Fish is breathing heavily, has some white spots that looks like Ich
Have you started any treatment for the illness? No
Was your fish physically ill or injured upon purchase? No
How has its behavior and appearance changed, if at all? No

Explain your emergency situation in detail.
The Apistogramma (I've had this fish for about 3 years) has been breathing very heavily for 2-3 days. When I look very closely, I see a few white spots on it. The spots are very faint, and I didn't see them grow. At first, I've thought that it's ich, but the spots have not grown for the past 2-3 days. I tested the water using API test kit. The readings are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, about 20 nitrates, and 7.6 ph (my ph of around 7.5 has been consistent since I have had this aquarium and the Apistogramma, so I don't think the ph is the problem.) The aquarium temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Other fish are also not bothering the Apistogramma, so that's also not the problem.

I have an air stone, and a 50 gallon filter which includes sponge and Seachem Matrix. This aquarium has been established for around 4 years.

Include pictures

https://imgur.com/a/ydfXIQi

View attachment 898977

He does look absolutely miserable, poor fish. Velvet can make them look this way but would not have the spots.

Is that whitish smudge on his side part of this or normally there?

Is he flashing? Is he eating?