I recently (about 3 weeks ago) purchased 3 blood parrots at my wife's suggestion because they were "so cute". Now 2 of them (one alot more then another) seem to be scale by scale there turning this ugly dark brown. It's mostly on the top part of there bodies. I've been trying to do some research but there really isn't much out there. The 3 possible explanations I've come across which are Amonia burn, black spot desease & stress. Anyone have a clue??
Could you maybe give us your water parameters? That would be a big help. Also if you could post a picture that would be incredibly helpful.
Also, are these painted parrots? Painted blood parrots are dyed and the color is known to fade over time. Even the regular "red" blood parrots are often dyed this color.
I gotta say that I think any level of ammonia high enough to change the color of scales would have probably killed the fish dead as a door nail almost immediately.
I was unable to get a water sample done, I do not have my own kit. I do however have a few pictures. I was mistaken, it wasn't 2 blood parrots, it was only one (my wife's favorite). There's marble angels, blue diamond angels, clown loaches, serpae tetras, congo tetras, large common pleco, gold, blue, dwarf and moon gouramis; with not one affected by the same ailment. I will try and get a water sample done by this weekend.
If you can maybe try and figure out what's wrong with them by the photos, great! So here they are.
Can you tell us the size of your tank, how long it's been up and running, what exactly you have in there fishwise how often you do water changes, and how much water you change?
My first advice would be to get a liquid test kit immediately and do tests for Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.
I have 2 Astro 2212 filters both good for 90-100 gal each. As for water changes I have done 2 major (1/3 of water, 50-60 gal) since the 1st fish enetered the tank in June. I also in between major water changes empty about 15-20 gal once a week while cleaning the sand with my tube sifter thing. The last major water change was about 2 weeks ago and I did a small one 3-4 days ago.
Ohh and I changed the the filter media in one mid July and the other yesterday. I was told to alternate month to month when changing my media.
I'll try my best to get one of theose testers. Or at least bring a sample to the pet store to have them test my water..
Hi Karl, okay you have an awful lot of fish in there for a tank that hasn't been running for that long. Did some of the fish you have come with the tank?
Rather than trusting the LFS to test your water I would very strongly recommend that you get your own test kit - you're going to need it.
A good brand to get is the API master test kit. As soon as you have taken readings please post them here
No fish came with the tank, I was told that as long as I wait about 2 weeks for the water to initially filter and then add a few fish to get the cycle going then I could add fish at a constant rate every 2-3 weeks. I guess I have been lucky because I haven't had any problems really except with the one parrot. But by your reaction I won't be buying anymore fish for a while. I'll do my best to get one of the tester kits asap.
Well late last night while watching a movie I happened to take a gander at my aquarium and to my pleasent surprise my Blood Parrot was brown free and back to his nice orange/red color. The only thing I can think of is that I waited too long to change the media for my second filter... I was told to change one at a time month by month. S June I set up my tank, July cange filter A, then August Filter B, Septer Filter A & so on... I think maybe I need a better rotation cycle.. Is it possible letting one of the filter stand for 2 months is too long and it's dumping bad water back into the aquarium?
what is the size of your tank and what is the necessary equipment your using
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