Looking for info on Gymnothorax Tile's

**BoogersDad** · 03-19-2007, 01:53 AM

Are they supposed to look like they are gasping all the time??

Can't tell if mine are eating ...

They are in a 28 gal bow face with a few guppy's

I am in the process of converting this tank to brackish - SG is currently at 1.004

Thanks in advance for any insight!

**hungryhound** · 03-19-2007, 02:03 AM

Welcome to the AC.

I am not sure about your problem specifically, but if it is up at the surface grasping, there might not be enough oxygen in the tank.

I am sure more knowledgeable posters will be along shortly to shed some light on your problem. It might be a good idea to post your water parameters to help them diagnose.

If it was me I would be concerned that there was a lack of oxygen in the tank and do a partial water change. At least 20 percent in the time being.

Once again welcome and I hope that your problem gets resolved.

**hungryhound** · 03-19-2007, 02:07 AM

I just checked out another thread and chrona had this to say about adding salt. Since you are in the process of making it brackish this might be a problem.

http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aqua...ead.php?t=4684

Originally Posted by chrona

I figure I might as well put this here but nitrite poisoning can be reduced by adding 1 tablespoon of AQUARIUM salt per 5 gallons of tank water. Make sure to mix it in another container. Don't dump it in your tank or your fish will inhale a salt crystal and start spasming.

**cocoa_pleco** · 03-19-2007, 02:24 AM

salt does help fish breath a bit easier, but forget the salt. Make sure if theyre gasping to use a airpump and airstone.

**Chrona** · 03-19-2007, 02:34 AM

What was the SG of the LFS water where you got the moray from?

Brackish water is usually 1.010 to 1.015. Moral eels in particular seem prone to being lethargic and not eating if they are not in water of said salinity. As for the gasping issue, I can only guess that because of the non ideal salinity, their osmoregulation is all messed up.

**Fishguy2727** · 03-19-2007, 12:15 PM

That is a marine fish, if it is in freshwater that is the problem. Get that tank some marine salt asap and bring up the salinity. You may want to check with a forum with more saltwater people to know how fast you can bring it up. Even the little 6-8" snowflakes in the LFS are in their saltwater systems, not brackish and definitely not fresh.

**Chrona** · 03-19-2007, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by reptileguy2727

That is a marine fish, if it is in freshwater that is the problem. Get that tank some marine salt asap and bring up the salinity. You may want to check with a forum with more saltwater people to know how fast you can bring it up. Even the little 6-8" snowflakes in the LFS are in their saltwater systems, not brackish and definitely not fresh.

That particular moray is a "Freshwater" moray (though it needs brackish water)

**Fishguy2727** · 03-19-2007, 05:15 PM

It is anadromous which means it is a marine species that breeds in fresh or brackish water. The young stay there for a period of time then they return to the ocean. This species should not be in fw, they do much better in sw. At least get it in brackish before it is too stressed to live out a healthy life. How large is the specimen in question?

**BoogersDad** · 03-26-2007, 12:45 PM

Sorry for the delay in responding - I must have missed the email notification.

Currentlythe salt has been added over 2 weeks (2 increases)
It is currently at a bit more than 1.004

My one Gymnothorax tile hasn't letting me see him eat except for the first few minutes he hit the tank and destroyed a Fiddler Crab.
The bigger one I discovered LOVES frozen shrimp.

SG of the LFS water

It was released into a fresh water tank while I was there.
He got 2 in and first day I got the one - then a couple days later I got the other one.

From what I have read so far - these guys were captured in estuaries where they may have been born or went to find food.

It's really amazing how little is known about these guys.

I was reading somewhere that they don't eat live crabs - mine did!
Also read they don't get along with each other - mine curl together and even let a Kuhli Loach curl in with them.

My biggest problem right now is I don't know enough to know what to ask.