Lima Shovelnose

lolol@Micah · Post by **lolol@Micah** » 16 Jun 2007, 19:14

This is my second juvinile Lima Shovelnose in the past 3 weeks, the first died.

They come into my LFS quite skinny, and I got this one thursday, and he has yet to eat, whihc I know it can take up to 5 days to adapt and feel comfortable to begin eating.

My biggets problem is I can seem to shake this gas bubble imbalance in its tank water. It's been there for going on 3 weeks. I've done 4 water changes and kept an airpump running stead, and it will not go away! I don't want another to pass.

Any suggestions?
Should I move him to another tank until I feel the imbalance has been cured?

Chrysichthys · Post by **Chrysichthys** » 17 Jun 2007, 16:29

I'm not sure what you mean by 'gas bubble imbalance,' could you describe what it is you're seeing? In any case if you think you have a water quality problem you should test for nitrite, ammonia and pH. If you don't have the test kits yourself, most aquatics shops will do it for you.

Richard B · Post by **Richard B** » 17 Jun 2007, 18:53

Additionally, only healthy fish should be purchased & if they look a bit skinny they may not be acclimatised properly or there may be another problem, like internal parasites.

Most shops should demonstrate a fish feeding to customers who have concerns, but Chrysichthys is absolutely right: good quality water is paramount

lolol@Micah · Post by **lolol@Micah** » 18 Jun 2007, 16:13

Gas imbalanc ein the water I think is more N2, the bubbles can attach to fish, and be absorbed nd caus eblisters or kill them, especially fast on scaleless fish.
I mived him, he's yet to eat, but he's abit more active in the new, temporary tank.

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 18 Jun 2007, 16:22

It's unlikely that you have a problem caused by super-saturation unless you've placed the fish in a newly filled tank.

There is (nearly) no way to produce this phenomena without using high pressure - either pressurized gas or pressurized water. If your fish has been in the tank for a few weeks and you haven't completely emptied the tank and filled it again directly from the tap (via hose or similar).

I suggest you follow the hints of Chrysichthys and check your water quality to see if there's anything untowards there. It's a MUCH more likely scenario than "gas bubble disease".

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Mats