Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

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Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby pblizard on Mon May 14, 2007 12:52 pm

We have a 30 gallon tank with 1 Male Electric Blue Hap, 1 Electric Female Hap and a Red Zebra. Over the past 4 days we have noticed the male Electric Blue Hap (grey Fish) gasping for Air at the top of the tank. The other fish are okay . We are currently feeding them New Life Spectrum Lg. Fish Formula (pellets) and every other odd day using Complete Flake Food by Nutrafin MAx.

Any suggestion on why he might be gasping would be great.

Thanks
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby DanRad on Mon May 14, 2007 8:49 pm

Hi, and welcome to the forum!  First thing to do when a fish starts gasping like that is to look carefully at the water conditions.  Check your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate readings.  The first 2 should be zero.  What sort of filtration are you using?  Any signs of ich (white spots, frayed fins)?  If you can give us this info it'll help us to advise you.
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby pblizard on Tue May 15, 2007 8:19 am

Unfortunately I don't have a gauge to check the ammonia or nitrate levels. The other fish seem fine and the Male Hap has no fin dis-coloration or scaling of fins.he does have a black spot on both sides right by his gills. Currently he is just sitting by the bubbles not moving around at all. Water condition looks good as I  just changed the water 1 week ago.
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby amy5335 on Tue May 15, 2007 11:49 am

Go buy some testing kits at the Pet store. They aren't too expensive and will help you out.
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby DanRad on Tue May 15, 2007 7:49 pm

Yes, please get the test kits.  They're cheap, and close to essential.  Meanwhile, try doing a 40% water change.  What size tank are they in?  What kind of filter?
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby pblizard on Wed May 16, 2007 2:53 pm

They are in a 30 Gallon tank (3 fish total) and the I am using the AquaClear Ammonia Remover filter and Aqua Clear Activated Carbon filter. Based on your recommendation I also changed approx 40% of the water.
Last edited by pblizard on Wed May 16, 2007 3:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby DanRad on Wed May 16, 2007 7:44 pm

OK.  What is your normal water change routine (how much, how often)?  How frequently do you clean the filter?  Has the tank been up and running for awhile, or is it fairly new?  On the off-chance that it's a new setup and you're having a "cycle" problem, I'll suggest adding about a teaspoon of salt per gallon.  It would really be good if you could pick up a couple of the liquid test kits, so we'd know what you're dealing with in terms of water conditions.  Ammonia and nitrite kill a lot of fish, especially in new setups.
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Re: Electric Blue Hap Male is gasping?

Postby aquapirate on Sun Jul 15, 2007 11:20 am

i'm fairly new so i might not know what i'm talking about , but does  a 30 gal tank seem small for 2 Blue Haps and the zebra?
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