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View Full Version : Pirhanas turning black??

daisyduke
08-23-2009, 03:36 AM
We have 3 pirhanas in a 30 gallon tank. they are medium sized. Recently they have started to get very dark in color.... and their eyes are a bit sunken. Also, they look like they have fuzz on them.. Does anyone know what could be wrong?? They like to sit at the very bottom of the aquarium in a cluster, which is uncharacteristic of them... the are normally very standoffish towards one another.
Northernguy
08-23-2009, 04:18 AM
Have you tested your water yet?
We need to know what your ammonia,nitrite,nitrate and ph levels are.
What is your water change schedule like?How much,how often?
How long has the tank been established?
Filtration?
Its the only way we can properly help you out!
What kind of pirhana?
Crispy
08-23-2009, 01:13 PM
Sounds like a water quality problem. Fuzz is never good on your fish. Dark coloring of your fish seems to indicate they are very stressed.
gm72
08-23-2009, 02:59 PM
Conditions in the tank are most likely very poor and immediate action to correct the problem is necessary for the sake of the fish. I would recommend an immediate large water change at the very least.
Mustang Boy
08-23-2009, 03:56 PM
ok aside from the water quality problems which there might be i have one more thing to add

get a MUCH MUCH larger tank because piranha need a MUCH larger tank than a 30g im talking like somthing in the 100g+ range
daisyduke
08-24-2009, 06:57 AM
i feel awful... one is dead, one is on it's way out. I also feel like I have been duped... the folks at the local fish store told us our setup was fine.. the piranhas would be ok. Took water in to be tested today and she said all was ok... quite to the contrary from what you are all saying. Going to try and get some money back or something tomorrow but sure I will be told where to shove it.... I am so sad :( The one piranha that is still swimming about seeming fairly healthy has very cloudy eyes and seems blind... sure he isn't long for this world.
daisyduke
08-24-2009, 07:01 AM
she gave me aquari-sol and told me to hike water up to 85 and put the appropriate amount of drops in. She says the fuzz is probably protozoal infection??
gm72
08-24-2009, 10:25 AM
You have been duped. Your setup is definitely not acceptable for those fish (I am condemning the shop, not you). They were doomed from the start unfortunately.
daisyduke
08-24-2009, 08:04 PM
All of the fish are dead. I called today, and as expected was told it was all my fault and not hers. Going to a different store today. hopefully they can somehow prove her incompetence so we can pursue this further.... Also the one goldfish in the tank died too... wouldn't that point towards the meds?
rich311k
08-24-2009, 08:09 PM
I am not sure what aquaria soil is, it could be the meds, it could be the ammonia and nitrites, it could be lack of O2 with temps that high. Anyway around you got lousy advise.
gm72
08-24-2009, 10:10 PM
At this point it doesn't really matter why they died but I would be willing to bet the water parameters were horrid.

Let's start over and do it right this time. (I don't mean that in a cruel sense, only to stipulate that you got horrible advice and that you have now found THE forum.)
Northernguy
08-25-2009, 02:03 AM
You have found the right place.
Are you going to start the tank over with the stocking plan?
What are you going to do to the tank?
You should get yourself a liquid test kit that will test for ammonia,nitrites ,nitrates and ph.They are the the most important.
Please also read the free ebook in the menu on the left.