new arrival problems...still

[newb]

ok, so I got my petros in like two weeks ago. they ate at first but very slowly and more like take it in and spit it out type eating...eventually they would swallow the food. Well like 5 days ago I came home and found one dead petro...no signs of aggression. They are rubbing their sides on the sand...so Im thinking parasites. Well...like a day after that...i found another dead one. I began using Clout like 4 days ago on them and feeding VERY small amounts. I have been good for the last 3 days or so but tonight I got two more petros sitting on the sand and not looking real good. what to do next??? These petros are by theirselves for now with just water and sand in the tank at the moment.

[FrontosaurusRex]

damn man. I had a feeling all this moving was gonna do something bad. Hope you get this figured out.

[gotticgs]

what kind of food have you used

mine did not like nls they would spit it back out
but they love tetra flakes and top fin natural dried seaweed

[geoff_tropheus]

Randall, I would try the seaweed on a veggie clip.

Get some Hikari Excel also.

Can you post your water conditions? What ph, what nitrate level, and temperature?

Remind me again what filtration is on this 75 gallon tank?

[Mzungu]

Randall, LMK if you want me to send some hair algae to work with Geoff. :)

[newb]

gonna try the seaweed idea...you think it has to do with them eating???

[myjohnson]

Randall, LMK if you want me to send some hair algae to work with Geoff. :)

+1. If they don't take to seaweed start off with hair algae then mix seaweed to it. Then mix flakes to that.

I got a really picky longola to eat this way. Took the thing 3-4 months just to eat its first flake.

[newb]

so you guys think they are dying off due to diet and not parasites??? why the "flicking" on the sand then.

[tbui1178]

Sorry to hear Randall. I had a similar thing happen to my red rainbows... I lost a lot awhile back. My guess would be parasites or something wierd in the water causing them not to eat. I would test your water and make sure all the parameters are right. If you don't have a carbon filter, suggest borrowing one and trying that out when you do water change.

Also, mine did not eat at first. I had to put metro in the flakes. Finally took to the flakes after a week and are now just adjusting to NLS. Definitely start off with seaweed or hair algae. Try to mix some metro in their food. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Mzungu]

so you guys think they are dying off due to diet and not parasites??? why the "flicking" on the sand then.

But eating never hurts. I say continue medicating them. Definitely. Especially because of the flashing.

[newb]

I will try some of your hair algae...but dont make Geoff bring it to work...i will swing by and grab some when im out in the next few days. I would hate to see him get in trouble for carrying around a little baggy of dried green plant substance in his pockets...good luck explaining that its just fish food!!!

[Mzungu]

I will try some of your hair algae...but dont make Geoff bring it to work...i will swing by and grab some when im out in the next few days. I would hate to see him get in trouble for carrying around a little baggy of dried green plant substance in his pockets...good luck explaining that its just fish food!!!

Okay, sounds good.

[geoff_tropheus]

the CLOUT should take care of the flashing in a few days, the biggest problem is getting them eating again I think.

I still think you should post up your pH and Nitrate

[newb]

Test strip readings

Nitrate...about 10ppm...safe
nitrite...0ppm...safe
Hardness...between 75-150ppm...between soft and hard markers
Chlorine...0ppm...safe
Alkalinity...between 120-180ppm...Ideal
ph...about 7.5ppm...Just under Alkaline

[myjohnson]

ph kind of low dude.