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stevestauberjr
10-09-2003, 02:34 PM
I just recieved 5 new discus through the mail and three out of the 5 had hardly any water in the bag and they where gasping on there sides! I gently added the fish into the tank instead of floating them and now they are just laying on there sides motionless on the bottom of the tank! I have all the lights turned off in the room and my water quality is excellent my temp is set at 84 right now. Is there anything I can do to help them out?

Jeff
10-09-2003, 02:38 PM
Add an airstone and drop the amount of water in the tank by 1/2. If you have an oxygen tank rebag the fish and fill the top 2/3 of the bag with oxygen. Feel free to call me if you want at 323-864-2637.

O
10-09-2003, 02:39 PM
I'd add some salt(non-iodine) 1 tbl spoon per 10 g and increase airation.

HTH,
O.

stevestauberjr
10-09-2003, 02:42 PM
Ok just added a airstone. 3 out of the 5 are swimming and exploring now :) The other 2 are still on there sides :(

stevestauberjr
10-09-2003, 02:55 PM
4 out of 5 now swimming and the sixth has righted himself! :) Thanks Jeff, i feel so much better now.

Pick
10-09-2003, 03:37 PM
Remember to keep the salt level up by adding it at the same rate to your replacement water when you do your water changes. I would maintain the salt for 5 to 6 days. I would also consider doing 2 small water changes per day instead of one big one for a few days. Good job!

TC

CARY_GLdiscus
10-09-2003, 04:30 PM
I would add a capful of hydrogen peroxide per 20 gals if you do not have oxygen tank.

jeep
10-09-2003, 05:00 PM
I recently had the same experience. I added 10+ TBS salt per 10 gallons and raised the temp to 88.

Withink a few hours they were coming around and by the end of the evening they were begging for food.

They're tough! I think they'll come around if they've lasted this long.

Good luck

Brian

stevestauberjr
10-09-2003, 05:13 PM
Just did small WC and added salt, I raised temp to 84, should I crank it up higher? Thank you all for helping. Jeff the fish are beautiful.

CARY_GLdiscus
10-09-2003, 05:19 PM
Good Job Jeff! ;D

stevestauberjr
10-09-2003, 05:21 PM
Alright I'm raising temp to 86. Hopefully that and the salt will help. All 5 are now swimming although a couple still look a little shaky.

Jeff
10-09-2003, 05:21 PM
Not my fish, but I'm glad they are ok. I would go 86 with the temp for at least a few days. What kind and size are they?

10-09-2003, 05:22 PM
:o Wow!! :o

Nice to know this tidbit of information. Thanks to all and even Stevestaubjr for posting the problem. This is an issue many people come across but don't know what to do.

H2O2 -- Hydrogen Peroxide.

Personally, I'd rather use extra airstones and salt mixture in the tank with lower water volume for a while. But the hydrogen peroxide sounds a bit ideal being that it breaks down the enzymes found in the fish and water allowing more oxygen to be utilized by fish and plants. Thanks Cary.

stevestauberjr
10-09-2003, 05:27 PM
I was just saying there beautiful...lol, i got them from mcgilly ;) They are red tigers and wild greenxred tigers. About 3 inches average I'd say. If anyone is looking for babies i'd recommend these beauties ;D There listed in the buy sell trade section under NEED: Good homes. Once again thanks all. I just realized that the stupid Fedex person who besides being hours late had them upside down too >:( Oh well all's well that ends well.

CARY_GLdiscus
10-09-2003, 06:47 PM
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D


Great posting Everyone!

Paulio
10-09-2003, 10:47 PM
Things brings up another subject I am going to start another thread on.
How do you acclimate? Dont answer here, go to the new thread. To me for Discus to lay on the bottom for a while after being in a box isnt out of the ordinary realy. When I ship fish I tell people ahead of time that this may happen and not to worry. Shipping is very stressfull for fish and I have to say that if I spent 24 or so hours in a dark box getting bounced around I dont think my mood would be too great either ::)

Paul

Sketchy
10-09-2003, 11:13 PM
...glad to hear everything worked out! You're gonna love those wild green x red tigers - I got a few of them myself from Jeff and they are doing very well.

Jeff
10-10-2003, 12:11 AM
Very true Paulio. Usually smaller ones don't care, but the larger ones I have seen lay on the bottom for 24+ hours and then just get up no problem.

stevestauberjr
10-10-2003, 12:42 AM
It wasn't the fact they were on there sides it was they had no water :o
three of the bags leaked and one of them was more or less in air. That's why I freaked out. But all is well now all 5 are doing great.

jeep
10-10-2003, 08:03 AM
Good going Steve! Now let's see some pics...

Brian

Carol_Roberts
10-10-2003, 11:29 PM
HI Steve:
I'm glad they recovered. :thumbsup:
Keep an eye on them - make sure they are eating and stay healthy. It is not that uncommon for fish that had a hard time during shipping to have a bout with intestinal flagellates - easily cured with metro.