i got a piranha on saturday 1/27
i think its got a popped eye, and the store for sure did it not me. because i was told by a friend it looked rough, but another problem is, it always hides when the tank lights on. And any other light. How do i get it to go out in the light? i feed in minnows and bloodworms, PS is there anything i can do about the popped eye? PS its a baby in a 40 gallon tank
2007-01-28 16:38:08 · 6 answers · asked by skorski family 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
will this medicine help?
http://www.nosickfish.com/shop.php?product=8>
2007-01-28 16:57:36 · update #1
Its alone in the tank
2007-01-28 17:15:07 · update #2
hes fine now, he is always around his tank, and he will not run out of room, 40 gallons are fine.
2007-02-04 05:58:15 · update #3
One of the problems with some varieties of piranha is that they freakout quite easily. the popped eye is probably a result of the eye being bitten by one of the other piranhas during the catching process. For the piranha to be comfortable (and come out more in your tank) you have to heavily decorate the tank with what the fish will feel is protective cover. (sunken logs / branches or plants if your not going to bother the tank after that )
As the eye is damaged not much can be done (as long as its healed over) and be prepared for the fish to be shy on that side of its body
2007-01-28 16:55:48 · answer #1 · answered by john e 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Does it look like it's an injury? Or does the eye look like it's bulging out? There's a type of infection called popeye, here's a link for it. You're friend said it looked rough, maybe the water conditions at the pet store were poor? That could've brought it on.
http://www.fishpalace.org/Disease.html#Popeye
http://www.fishdeals.com/fish_diseases/pop_eye/
I don't know anything about that product you linked, seems kind of expensive IMO. I'd try an antibiotic first. Be sure to keep the water pristine, and do regular weekly water changes, and clean any uneaten food immediately. I'm guessing he won't eat an antibacterial medicated pellet food, maybe try "gut loading" the minnows with the medicated food before he eats them? Not sure how well that would work, better then just dosing the tank maybe.
As far as him not liking the lighting, limit the amount of time it's on. It may be bothering his eye, and that's why he's hiding. Or leave it off till he gets better, or gets more used to his new home.
Good luck!
2007-01-29 01:08:10 · answer #2 · answered by tikitiki 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not much you can do about a damaged eye. And the fish will grow less bashful as it gets older. It will feel at home and begin to come out more.
I had a Red Breasted Piranha and he would never eat if there was anyone else in the room with me. I have no idea how he knew, I would turn all the lights off in the room, only the light on his tank would be on. But if there was anyone else there he just wouldn't. When it was only me though it was a different story. I used to really enjoy watching him stalk his prey.
I guess I was kind of a morbid little bugger...
You might consider getting another tank to raise food fish for the piranha. I raised Black Mollies, they are easy to raise, reproduce quickly, and my guy seemed to really enjoy them. It was cheaper than buying food fish, especially when he got bigger!
2007-01-29 00:49:47 · answer #3 · answered by AK 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive owned many piranha and with this black piranha, you will run into some problems. First of all, he is going to run out of room in that 40 gallon, in this year. A full grown actually needs 100gal +. but that is something you will have to deal with. As far as his eye, if it doesnt fall out then he probably can still use it. It might heal itself, but theres nothing you can do about it. As far as him hiding when you put the light on... He is a very shy fish and will always hide when he is scared. The only way I have found to fully enjoy this fish is to only put small shells and thin plants in the bottom of his tank. This is not advised by experts but I guarentee you will get your moneys worth. If you do this get ready for a mean S.O.B. (that you can actually see, when you want to see it)
2007-02-03 17:14:02 · answer #4 · answered by Jonathan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldnt worry about your piranhas eye. ive got a few one eyed fish in my tanks and they are just as healthy as the others. now with it not coming out. that will just take time. my sisters piranha was like that for a few months until it got used to all the activity in the house. it may help if you put the tank in a room that gets less activity or it may be the type of light that you are useing. some fish dont like flouresent lights.
2007-02-03 21:01:12 · answer #5 · answered by Elizabeth 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's jsut sick-doesn't like light can't help it
get PimaFix (fungal and bacteria infections for salt and freshwater fish) got o petsmart
trust me it works
2007-02-04 10:01:19 · answer #6 · answered by webprincess02 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋