Is my Dojo Loach ok?

[an780]

HI all,
Is my Dojo loach ok? It’s been acting usual for the 7-8 days. Not eating at all. Not sure if it eats anything after lights down.
During the day it’s been laying still almost all the time. Can see it swimming maybe one time a day. Sometimes it’s in weird positions like curled up, upside down, perpendicular, resting on top of small plants, etc. See some pictures?

Ph is low at 6.4. Probably because of the injected CO2. Ammonia is 0 and nitrite is 0. All other fishes seem to be ok.

Appreciate any help!

 

[goldface]

How long have you had it though? Looks fine to me.

 

[an780]

Around 2 months now. Definitely been more active in the past. Hence wondering. Not eating is definitely new.

 

[ExcitedBetta]

Around 2 months now. Definitely been more active in the past. Hence wondering. Not eating is definitely new.

I've never had a loach before but I heard they do better when in a group of three or more. Someone should probably confirm this but maybe he's lonely.

 

[an780]

I’m sure it more than loneliness. It’s been floating upside down tossed around in the water current. Sometimes it manages to go to the bottom and stay still.

I think I have other issues too. Lost all my harlequin rasbora all at once in the span of a day. I also lost a glass catfish the same night.

Could be it internal parasites? Affecting my Dojo loach too?

Ammonia now shows 0.25. And Ph is low at 6.

 

[ExcitedBetta]

I’m sure it more than loneliness. It’s been floating upside down tossed around in the water current. Sometimes it manages to go to the bottom and stay still.

I think I have other issues too. Lost all my harlequin rasbora all at once in the span of a day. I also lost a glass catfish the same night.

Could be it internal parasites? Affecting my Dojo loach too?

Ammonia now shows 0.25. And Ph is low at 6.

I'm really sorry. It sounds like your tank is cycled too. I don't know what it is. Maybe someone else knows. Are you treating the water for chlorine when you do water changes?

 

[an780]

I'm really sorry. It sounds like your tank is cycled too. I don't know what it is. Maybe someone else knows. Are you treating the water for chlorine when you do water changes?

Yes. Did a 20% today. I typically treat water with Prime before using.

HI experts. Any thoughts? Current status. Definitely struggling and Half alive. I’m seriously considering euthanizing.

 

[yeti79]

I would quarantine and medicate him since he has no external signs of problems. Use general cure and erythomaycin or something similar. What is your nitrate level and what size tank do you have?

 

[an780]

I would quarantine and medicate him since he has no external signs of problems. Use general cure and erythomaycin or something similar. What is your nitrate level and what size tank do you have?

I have a 30 gallons. Regarding Nitrate, every time I measure using API Master Kit, I get 0 ppm. Was perplexing to me. I guess the plants are eating it up, or I am doing it wrong.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Sleeping upside down and hanging in plants is normal behaviour for dojos.
Not eating and lethargy is absolutely not.

I concur that I don't see any external issues, but the behaviour is definitely abnormal. I would also isolate for the time being. What temperature are you keeping it at? if you isolate it in a tub or something, do large daily water changes and keep the water stable at room temp, no higher.
.What have you been feeding it?

Edit: just wanted to add that with internal parasites you'd expect it to be rail thin, which it isn't.

 

[an780]

Sleeping upside down and hanging in plants is normal behaviour for dojos.
Not eating and lethargy is absolutely not.

I concur that I don't see any external issues, but the behaviour is definitely abnormal. I would also isolate for the time being. What temperature are you keeping it at? if you isolate it in a tub or something, do large daily water changes and keep the water stable at room temp, no higher.
.What have you been feeding it?

Edit: just wanted to add that with internal parasites you'd expect it to be rail thin, which it isn't.

Thanks for the recommendations. Temperature is about 75 degrees. Not able to lower because I have a couple of Angelfishes. Feeding normally is pellets, flakes, and sometimes frozen bloodworms.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Thanks for the recommendations. Temperature is about 75 degrees. Not able to lower because I have a couple of Angelfishes. Feeding normally is pellets, flakes, and sometimes frozen bloodworms.

How often do you feed and how much?
Dojos aren't exactly pushovers but since this one is alone, could it be that he's being bullied away from the food by the Angels?
Dojos are pretty flexible but keeping highly tropical species with them isn't really a great stocking choice. All the fish now have to compromise on a temperature that is pleasant for them. Its cold for the Angels and possibly the glass cats depending on the species, and pretty warm for the dojo as a permanent temp. What kind of cories do you keep in there?

It's possible that your 0 nitrates is due to the plants, though your stocking seems on the heavier side. How long did you cycle the tank and did you add the fish in one go? When did you have the die-off that you were talking about? Any symptoms on those fish?

Do you try feeding in a way that distributes the food throughout the tank - all levels, bottom and surface, and all corners? Maybe see if that would make a difference if you don't. Hm.

Is that PH stable? How often do you do water changes and how much do you change out? Is your tap PH similar to your tank?
I'm a bit iffy about it being parameters though, dojos are very hardy and way less likely to be bothered by it than the angels or tetras.

 

[an780]

How often do you feed and how much?
Dojos aren't exactly pushovers but since this one is alone, could it be that he's being bullied away from the food by the Angels?
Dojos are pretty flexible but keeping highly tropical species with them isn't really a great stocking choice. All the fish now have to compromise on a temperature that is pleasant for them. Its cold for the Angels and possibly the glass cats depending on the species, and pretty warm for the dojo as a permanent temp. What kind of cories do you keep in there?

It's possible that your 0 nitrates is due to the plants, though your stocking seems on the heavier side. How long did you cycle the tank and did you add the fish in one go? When did you have the die-off that you were talking about? Any symptoms on those fish?

Do you try feeding in a way that distributes the food throughout the tank - all levels, bottom and surface, and all corners? Maybe see if that would make a difference if you don't. Hm.

Is that PH stable? How often do you do water changes and how much do you change out? Is your tap PH similar to your tank?
I'm a bit iffy about it being parameters though, dojos are very hardy and way less likely to be bothered by it than the angels or tetras.

Thanks again.

Feeding:
I feed them once a day. Normally I see him eating fine. Angels and Cory's don't get in the way much. Usually its the sinking pellets and flakes (which eventually sink). There is always some extra. Not that good removing the extas, but I occationally do.

Stocking:
Agree on the temperature. Effects of being a newbie and also of having a kid with a say in what she wants in the tank. I have 2 Panda corys, 1 SterbaI and 1 Julii. They all hang out together a lot.

Cycling and Fish Deaths:
The tank is still only about 2-3 months old. I didn't all fishes at once - maybe in 3-4 batches. The fish die off I mentioned happened 2 days ago. 3 Rasbora's and 1 Glass Cat. One of the Rasbora had its belly wide open - all cleaned out. Not knowledgeable enough to notice any other symptoms.

Ph:
I think my tap water is somewhat basic (the test shows heavy blue), but the over the week becomes more and more acidic (I have CO2, driftwood, etc causing acidity)

 

[PascalKrypt]

Thanks again.

Feeding:
I feed them once a day. Normally I see him eating fine. Angels and Cory's don't get in the way much. Usually its the sinking pellets and flakes (which eventually sink). There is always some extra. Not that good removing the extas, but I occationally do.

Stocking:
Agree on the temperature. Effects of being a newbie and also of having a kid with a say in what she wants in the tank. I have 2 Panda corys, 1 SterbaI and 1 Julii. They all hang out together a lot.

Cycling and Fish Deaths:
The tank is still only about 2-3 months old. I didn't all fishes at once - maybe in 3-4 batches. The fish die off I mentioned happened 2 days ago. 3 Rasbora's and 1 Glass Cat. One of the Rasbora had its belly wide open - all cleaned out. Not knowledgeable enough to notice any other symptoms.

Ph:
I think my tap water is somewhat basic (the test shows heavy blue), but the over the week becomes more and more acidic (I have CO2, driftwood, etc causing acidity)

Hmm, okay food seems fine.
The tank is 2-3 months old including the cycling period? And you added 4 batches? That sounds like perhaps the tank wasn't stable yet when you added the first few. You said you had the dojo for 2 months right, was it one of the first to go in?
Maybe it's been damaged a bit by tank fluctuations.

How large and how often do you do water changes? You should be careful with them since your ingoing water and tank water have such different parameters - that can cause shock in your fish.

 

[an780]

Hmm, okay food seems fine.
The tank is 2-3 months old including the cycling period? And you added 4 batches? That sounds like perhaps the tank wasn't stable yet when you added the first few. You said you had the dojo for 2 months right, was it one of the first to go in?
Maybe it's been damaged a bit by tank fluctuations.

How large and how often do you do water changes? You should be careful with them since your ingoing water and tank water have such different parameters - that can cause shock in your fish.

Yes. You are correct. The Dojo was the second batch. So was exposed to hgher Ammonia (the highest it went was upto 0.5 ppm)

Water changes are weekly - 7-8 gallons - so about 22-25%. Whats the solution when I have such different water? Less %, more frequent?

 

[PascalKrypt]

Yes. You are correct. The Dojo was the second batch. So was exposed to hgher Ammonia (the highest it went was upto 0.5 ppm)

Water changes are weekly - 7-8 gallons - so about 22-25%. Whats the solution when I have such different water? Less %, more frequent?

0.5ppm ammonia isn't toxic, especially not at low PH. I'm thinking with the set-up the way it is, in the past month or so your tank PH may have swung downward quite wildly, this may be what has caused some stress in the fish. Possibly. I'm not ruling out boredom or loneliness though. Dojos do better in a small group, but you really don't have the space for that. To be honest I wouldn't keep one in a 30 myself, at all.

Yes, if the gap between tank and tap is large you'll want to do changes twice or three times a week, between 10 and 20% ideally, no more.

 

[an780]

0.5ppm ammonia isn't toxic, especially not at low PH. I'm thinking with the set-up the way it is, in the past month or so your tank PH may have swung downward quite wildly, this may be what has caused some stress in the fish. Possibly. I'm not ruling out boredom or loneliness though. Dojos do better in a small group, but you really don't have the space for that. To be honest I wouldn't keep one in a 30 myself, at all.

Yes, if the gap between tank and tap is large you'll want to do changes twice or three times a week, between 10 and 20% ideally, no more.

Thanks. My pH continues to be very low at 6.0. I stopped by my LFS today, and the suggested using Crushed Coral to bring the Ph up to a more acceptable level (probably what killed my Rasboras). Really worried about the constant fluctuations.

About the Dojo, I moved him to a smaller 5G hospital tank - barebones with only an airstone. He's sitting at the bottom motionless still alive (And very lonely). Really hoping he'll survive and swimg back to health soon.

 

[qldmick]

go with the crushed coral it will raise and stablise ph.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Thanks. My pH continues to be very low at 6.0. I stopped by my LFS today, and the suggested using Crushed Coral to bring the Ph up to a more acceptable level (probably what killed my Rasboras). Really worried about the constant fluctuations.

About the Dojo, I moved him to a smaller 5 gallon hospital tank - barebones with only an airstone. He's sitting at the bottom motionless still alive (And very lonely). Really hoping he'll survive and swimg back to health soon.

Fluctuating PH is not good. Maybe you should consider reducing your CO2 use?
Crushed Coral actually affects hardness, so it influences PH directly. It not bad to use but I don't know if it can wrestle back PH from CO2. I would just try to fix it more directly. Also rasboras are softwater species, I really doubt they would from a low PH. PH swings yes, it is possible that killed them.

Keep us updated on the dojo.

 

[an780]

Fluctuating PH is not good. Maybe you should consider reducing your CO2 use?
Crushed Coral actually affects hardness, so it influences PH directly. It not bad to use but I don't know if it can wrestle back PH from CO2. I would just try to fix it more directly. Also rasboras are softwater species, I really doubt they would from a low PH. PH swings yes, it is possible that killed them.

Keep us updated on the dojo.

Thanks for checking in. And appreciate all the inputs from everyone!

I did reduce the CO2 to almost half. From 1.25 bubbles per sec to 0.66. So hopefully that will help. Also added about 3/4 cup of crushed coral as an additional filter media. So far not seeing any impact. Been about 18 hours only though.

Dojo is still in the hospital tank. He’s moving around a tiny bit. Not sure if it’s because he’s feeling better. Ammonia shot up to somewhere between 0.5 and 1 in the last day. Just did a 60-70% water change. And treated with Prime. Will have to keep checking I guess.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Thanks for checking in. And appreciate all the inputs from everyone!

I did reduce the CO2 to almost half. From 1.25 bubbles per sec to 0.66. So hopefully that will help. Also added about 3/4 cup of crushed coral as an additional filter media. So far not seeing any impact. Been about 18 hours only though.

Dojo is still in the hospital tank. He’s moving around a tiny bit. Not sure if it’s because he’s feeling better. Ammonia shot up to somewhere between 0.5 and 1 in the last day. Just did a 60-70% water change. And treated with Prime. Will have to keep checking I guess.

Hmm so at least we know that your tank is unstable. Try not to be tempted to add too many 'fixes' and just dose prime and do water changes while it sorts itself out. Don't know if you dose any other 'fixers' like PH down/up ?

Looks fine from what I can see, at least outwardly. It looks like a girl to me btw

 

[an780]

Ah Girl Dojo! Good to know. Don’t have to call her a he.

She spend about 3 days in the hospital tank. I may have made the mistake of not being patient enough. I moved her back to the main tank. She looked better to me, and that played a role in the decision. Was moving not a lot, but atleast was not floating helplessly in water like before in the main tank.

Also I was having a hard time controlling the Ammonia in the hospital tank. Decided it’s safer for her to be in the main tank which is more stable. In the main tank now, she pretty much stays at the bottom, again with very little movement. She’s not eating AT ALL. I tried vegetables like green peas, carrots etc. She appears to be thinning now because of the starvation.

Main tank conditions: Overall looks
Stable. Ammonia, nitrites are all zero. Ph is now around 6.4 for the most part. Hopefully stays gets a little higher and stays there. CO2 is running at the reduced level.

I’m sure it was a mistake to move her from hospital back so soon. Any suggestions at this point?

 

[yeti79]

Dojos are poop machines so there will be lot of waste in the hospital tank so you would have to change the water frequently. Have you tried feeding anything like tubifex or daphnia? Honestly think it needs a colder water tank to thrive and currently showing malaise from the conditions it is in. I have 4 and they do not do much in the summer when the tank temp gets warmer

 

[PascalKrypt]

Ah Girl Dojo! Good to know. Don’t have to call her a he.

She spend about 3 days in the hospital tank. I may have made the mistake of not being patient enough. I moved her back to the main tank. She looked better to me, and that played a role in the decision. Was moving not a lot, but atleast was not floating helplessly in water like before in the main tank.

Also I was having a hard time controlling the Ammonia in the hospital tank. Decided it’s safer for her to be in the main tank which is more stable. In the main tank now, she pretty much stays at the bottom, again with very little movement. She’s not eating AT ALL. I tried vegetables like green peas, carrots etc. She appears to be thinning now because of the starvation.

Main tank conditions: Overall looks
Stable. Ammonia, nitrites are all zero. Ph is now around 6.4 for the most part. Hopefully stays gets a little higher and stays there. CO2 is running at the reduced level.

I’m sure it was a mistake to move her from hospital back so soon. Any suggestions at this point?

I would move her back to the hospital tank keep her there. Wholly agree with yeti79 - give her cold temperatures, live protein-rich foods (vegetables are good for variety but as a main staple kinda low energy for these explosively active fish) which also tend to stimulate appetite and do daily water changes of about 50%. Constant fresh water is a perfect treatment method for just about any kind of illness, and it will ensure high, stable water quality if you keep that up.
You could try adding an airstone though dojos can gulp air so I'm not expecting low oxygen to be an issue. If you have poor luck its something internal or genetic and there may be nothing you can do about it, but it makes no sense not trying in case it does have something to do with conditions.

 

[an780]

Agree I can move her to the hospital tank for the time being. But I wonder what a long term solution could be, if the temperature is going to be a problem. She used to be fine until a couple of weeks ago. Daily 50% water change should not be a problem at this time. At home anyway because of the Covid-19 stay home order!

As far as food goes, frozen bloodworms should work too, right?

And ofcourse. Thanks PascalKrypt and yeti79 for the help!

 

[yeti79]

Agree I can move her to the hospital tank for the time being. But I wonder what a long term solution could be, if the temperature is going to be a problem. Daily 50% water change should not be a problem at this time. At home anyway because of the Covid-19 stay home order!

As far as food goes, frozen bloodworms should work too, right?

Yes frozen blood worms would be fine

 

[PascalKrypt]

Though it isn't ideal, 75F by itself isn't harmful for a Dojo. Also in the long run, though it's on the warm side I do believe it is still below the threshold of what would really be a problematic long term temperature.
Just that when fish are not feeling well, anything that is less than optimal can add to the harm and right now that is the case, hence why cold temps now are better. But to be honest, I would never consider keeping angels and dojos together, they just are not temp compatible. If she pulls through this, it's up to you to consider if you want to try keeping her like this anyway or if you want to try finding a different home for her. I wouldn't blame you for trying (people have reported successfully keeping dojos at lowish tropical temps permanently, though it shortens their lifespan in the long run).

Bloodworms are fine, though a little fatty so don't feed exclusively bloodworms. Do you have any access to live foods at all? The movement stimulates appetite. You could also try soaking the food in garlic, that can sometimes makes them more inclined to eat (and help with parasites).

 

[an780]

Though it isn't ideal, 75F by itself isn't harmful for a Dojo. Also in the long run, though it's on the warm side I do believe it is still below the threshold of what would really be a problematic long term temperature.
Just that when fish are not feeling well, anything that is less than optimal can add to the harm and right now that is the case, hence why cold temps now are better. But to be honest, I would never consider keeping angels and dojos together, they just are not temp compatible. If she pulls through this, it's up to you to consider if you want to try keeping her like this anyway or if you want to try finding a different home for her. I wouldn't blame you for trying (people have reported successfully keeping dojos at lowish tropical temps permanently, though it shortens their lifespan in the long run).

Bloodworms are fine, though a little fatty so don't feed exclusively bloodworms. Do you have any access to live foods at all? The movement stimulates appetite. You could also try soaking the food in garlic, that can sometimes makes them more inclined to eat (and help with parasites).

Once again thanks PascalKrypt and yeti79

Moved Dojo to hospital tank again. Is she looking way too skinny? She didn’t resist much when I caught her in the net. Likely very weak. Have to try bloodworms today. Unfortunately no live ones or Garlic guard yet. If needed will venture out for it maybe tomorrow.

Let me know what you think from the pics.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Once again thanks PascalKrypt and yeti79

Moved Dojo to hospital tank again. Is she looking way too skinny? She didn’t resist much when I caught her in the net. Likely very weak. Have to try bloodworms today. Unfortunately no live ones or Garlic guard yet. If needed will venture out for it maybe tomorrow.

Let me know what you think from the pics.

She does look a bit skinny.. to be fair though my golden one did too, for several months before it started a growth spurt. Not sure if that really means anything, though if it hasn't eaten in a while it very well might. They do tend to eat to a point where you can actually see their bellies swell a little after a good meal.

 

[an780]

Nothing new to report. Unfortunately she’s still not eating. I tried bloodworms, and some garlicky pellets too. She’s not interested in any of it. She’s just laying at the bottom of the hospital tank all the time. With some minor movement to different parts of the tank few times a day.

I don’t have any heater on, temperature around 64 degrees. Really hoping for the best.

 

[goldface]

I would seriously consider treating with prazipro at this point. It's safe enough to dose in the main tank. If possible, please give this a shot, and let us know how it goes. Worst case scenario, it was better than nothing.

 

[an780]

I would seriously consider treating with prazipro at this point. It's safe enough to dose in the main tank. If possible, please give this a shot, and let us know how it goes. Worst case scenario, it was better than nothing.

Yeah. Will try that as well when I get a chance to step outside. You may be correct. Nothing to lose except a few $$.

 

[goldface]

Yeah. Will try that as well when I get a chance to step outside. You may be correct. Nothing to lose except a few $$.

Keep us updated.

 

[an780]

Keep us updated.

Thanks PascalKrypt yeti79 scarface for all the help so far.

I don’t have any new updates. Still not able to go buy Prazi pro or garlic guard because of the Covid-19 situation. Hopefully will be able to go get it tomorrow. Getting out when LFS is open has been a challenge.

I hope everyone else is doing fine as well!

Is there a min temperature for Dojo? I have seen that the temp in hospital tank is around 64 degrees F. At one point it even dropped to 61.

 

[goldface]

If you have a choice, get the prazipro over the garlic guard, as I'm not entirely convinced of garlic's efficacy for internal parasites. And if your fish refuses to eat, I don't think the garlic scent will be too helpful, honestly. That's just my opinion. But if you can get both, then by all means give them both a go.

Don't worry about the temperature. It's perfectly fine.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Thanks PascalKrypt yeti79 scarface for all the help so far.

I don’t have any new updates. Still not able to go buy Prazi pro or garlic guard because of the Covid-19 situation. Hopefully will be able to go get it tomorrow. Getting out when LFS is open has been a challenge.

I hope everyone else is doing fine as well!

Is there a min temperature for Dojo? I have seen that the temp in hospital tank is around 64 degrees F. At one point it even dropped to 61.

Still no change? scarface 's suggestion makes sense, since there isn't anything else to try at the moment.

Dojos survive in climates where it freezes in winter so you don't have to worry about minimum temperatures indoors.

 

[an780]

Still no change? scarface 's suggestion makes sense, since there isn't anything else to try at the moment.

Dojos survive in climates where it freezes in winter so you don't have to worry about minimum temperatures indoors.

Thanks PascalKrypt and scarface

I think there is some encouraging development from this morning. It appears she ate the small pellets I dropped for her last night. To test it out again, I dropped 3 more of the same pellets this morning. And they have disappeared! Taking that as good news.

I also saw her swimming around near the surface for a bit early in the morning. Normally she just sits at the bottom with very minimal movement. Looked like she was attempting to swim upwards, but was sinking down because of her own weight. Still moving around is a good sign I presume.

I am wondering if should hold off on the PraziPro and observe for another day or two before any medication. Also will try going back to frozen bloodworms again tonight.

Hi all,
Quick update. Dojo is doing way better. She's eating - although not pouncing on food like other fishes. Swimming around much more than before. Sometimes playing in the bubbles from airstone. She ate bloodworms, brineshrimp, pellets and flakes - so pretty much everything I have with me.

I think i'll keep her in the hospital tank for two more weeks anyway. What do you suggest? The water in the main tank is about 75 degrees. And Ph is now around 6.4-6.6 with Co2. Hospital tank Ph is higher around 7 and temperature is 64-ish. Like we discussed before, I dont have many options to lower main tank temperature.

Thanks PascalKrypt , scarface and yeti79 for all the advice. And with your help, I have a good feeling Dojo will pull through. I remember I was even considering euthenising her (now feeling silly about having had those thoughts)

One a separate topic. My one of my angelfishes is becoming a aggressive and territorial in the last 2 weeks - chasing the other one around the tank. Will have to keep an eye on this situation.

 

[PascalKrypt]

Hi all,
Quick update. Dojo is doing way better. She's eating - although not pouncing on food like other fishes. Swimming around much more than before. Sometimes playing in the bubbles from airstone. She ate bloodworms, brineshrimp, pellets and flakes - so pretty much everything I have with me.

I think i'll keep her in the hospital tank for two more weeks anyway. What do you suggest? The water in the main tank is about 75 degrees. And Ph is now around 6.4-6.6 with Co2. Hospital tank Ph is higher around 7 and temperature is 64-ish. Like we discussed before, I dont have many options to lower main tank temperature.

Thanks PascalKrypt , scarface and yeti79 for all the advice. And with your help, I have a good feeling Dojo will pull through. I remember I was even considering euthenising her (now feeling silly about having had those thoughts)

One a separate topic. My one of my angelfishes is becoming a aggressive and territorial in the last 2 weeks - chasing the other one around the tank. Will have to keep an eye on this situation.

I would keep her in the hospital tank longer. Would be a waste to upset all the progress that you've made, since we don't really know the original cause of the issue - plus reacclimating will impact her potentially weak immune system. Leave her for a good 5 days or so after you feel like all problems have cleared up (which, if she still isn't eating heartily, you haven't quite reached yet).

 

[jake37]

Well fluctuating ph from co2 is normal and won't harm the fishes. Also what temp is your tank ? Dojo like it coolish while angels prefer it warmer.
-
Fyi rather than garlic guard i'd buy a pellet that comes with garlic - nls pellets for example have garlic in them.

 

[an780]

I would keep her in the hospital tank longer. Would be a waste to upset all the progress that you've made, since we don't really know the original cause of the issue - plus reacclimating will impact her potentially weak immune system. Leave her for a good 5 days or so after you feel like all problems have cleared up (which, if she still isn't eating heartily, you haven't quite reached yet).

Thanks. Agree. No wasting all this progress . She can stay in the hospital for as long as she wants. . I'll keep this thread updated.

Well fluctuating ph from co2 is normal and won't harm the fishes. Also what temp is your tank ? Dojo like it coolish while angels prefer it warmer.
-
Fyi rather than garlic guard i'd buy a pellet that comes with garlic - nls pellets for example have garlic in them.

Main tank is about 75 degrees. I know its a little low for Angel and high for Dojo. Hopefully not too damaging for either. Somehow ended up buying both these species without doing much research. Also thanks to my daughter who picked every fish at the store!

About the pellets with garlic in it, I think I have them. My LFS gave a small sample pack to try out. 2 months back, they somewhat bigger size pellets for my main tank. Have to back to trying them since my angels are a bit bigger now.

 

[jake37]

Ok. In terms of quality NLS are some of the best foods you can buy - they come in different pellet size so you can get smaller ones. When i said quality i'm talking about content analysis - like people fishes do not always like things that are 'good' for them and some fishes can be finicky eaters. I feed mine a mixture from wardley shrimp pellets (not the best quality but fishes love em); hiraki loach pellets - fishes love those - esp the rams - the angles prefer flakes but as soon as the hiraki pellets hit the water the rams are gone - nls pellets (the cory seem to go wild for those) - for flakes i mostly feed spirulina - which the angels and guppies prefer - but guppies aren't picky - they would eat my fingers if i let them.

Thanks. Agree. No wasting all this progress . She can stay in the hospital for as long as she wants. . I'll keep this thread updated.




Main tank is about 75 degrees. I know its a little low for Angel and high for Dojo. Hopefully not too damaging for either. Somehow ended up buying both these species without doing much research. Also thanks to my daughter who picked every fish at the store!

About the pellets with garlic in it, I think I have them. My LFS gave a small sample pack to try out. 2 months back, they somewhat bigger size pellets for my main tank. Have to back to trying them since my angels are a bit bigger now.

 

[an780]

Ok. In terms of quality NLS are some of the best foods you can buy - they come in different pellet size so you can get smaller ones. When i said quality i'm talking about content analysis - like people fishes do not always like things that are 'good' for them and some fishes can be finicky eaters. I feed mine a mixture from wardley shrimp pellets (not the best quality but fishes love em); hiraki loach pellets - fishes love those - esp the rams - the angles prefer flakes but as soon as the hiraki pellets hit the water the rams are gone - nls pellets (the cory seem to go wild for those) - for flakes i mostly feed spirulina - which the angels and guppies prefer - but guppies aren't picky - they would eat my fingers if i let them.

Great information. Do you feed this variety of food every day? I am just using one kind a day. Different one the next day. Wonder what the best practice is.

Also my aggressive Angel will always be a problem when it comes to feeding time. He has to be fed separately first on one side and I drop more food (for Glass cats, Cory's and Tetras) on another side, when he is busy and not looking.

 

[jake37]

I mix it up over the week. I try to not feed them too many shrimp pellets but when the angels are moody i will toss them one and they will grab it (think dog jumping for a biscuit). I feed hiraki loach pellets most evenings - i have a lot of bottom feeders and quite frankly even the cardinal tetras will go after them. The nls i sprinkle in at least twice a week usually in the mornings - the angels will grab a couple as they fall and the cory will spend all day hunting them out. I keep telling myself when i finish the flakes no more - never again (flakes are a bit messy) but some fishes are picky and one of my angels get pretty grumpy if it doesn't get some flakes.

Great information. Do you feed this variety of food every day? I am just using one kind a day. Different one the next day. Wonder what the best practice is.

Also my aggressive Angel will always be a problem when it comes to feeding time. He has to be fed separately first on one side and I drop more food (for Glass cats, Cory's and Tetras) on another side, when he is busy and not looking.

 

[qldmick]

Well fluctuating ph from co2 is normal and won't harm the fishes. Also what temp is your tank ? Dojo like it coolish while angels prefer it warmer.
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Fyi rather than garlic guard i'd buy a pellet that comes with garlic - nls pellets for example have garlic in them.

nls thera A has extra garlic, even better is nls probiotix which is based on the thera A formula, which also contains live probiotics.

 

[an780]

Quick update: As of 3 days ago, I moved Dojo back to the main tank. She seems to be happy and enjoying her time there so far!

Also I noticed that the temp in the main tank is now close to 77-78, now that winter weather is over and things are warming up. Makes me concerned again! Will have to keep an eye on her. Any ideas on how to bring the tank back to 75F?

Thanks to everyone who helped out!

 

[goldface]

Quick update: As of 3 days ago, I moved Dojo back to the main tank. She seems to be happy and enjoying her time there so far!

Also I noticed that the temp in the main tank is now close to 77-78, now that winter weather is over and things are warming up. Makes me concerned again! Will have to keep an eye on her. Any ideas on how to bring the tank back to 75F?

Thanks to everyone who helped out!

Great to hear it's doing better! I really don't think temperature is much of a concern.