Wilds arrived in rough shape

[robxc80]

I got my 8 wilds in from John today. Shipping was delayed a few hours due to a storm in Memphis that held up the fedex shipment. Not too bad, just a few hours late.

Brought the fish home and put the bags in the water to stabilize temps for 30 minutes. The bags were blacked out not allowing me to see the fish.

Upon opening the bags to release the fish, 3 looked dead due to suffocation. I put them in and turned off the lights. John recommended that I put in 1 tablespoon of salt per 15 gallons which I did.

Came back home a few hours later and all fish seemed to have survived and are living albeit a bit stressed and dark. All save for one that appears through its movements that it is still struggling. It resembles less a fish with a swim bladder issue having some difficulty staying in the water collumn. It will get up and then slowly drift back down. Once on the floor, it's orientation ration is not that of a healthy fish. The position is awkward with its nose slightly upturned and it's body having trouble maintaining an upright position.

Clearly I'm a bit upset. I hope it does better over night. Tomorrow, I'll do a water change and try to feed. Once another day passes, I'll begin administering prazi and metro.

Wish me luck.

[Phillydubs]

Damn... So sorry to hear that... How long was the delay ? A few hrs shouldn't make much difference ... We're the bags damaged at all?

I would just give them time keep the lights off and try and relax and stay calm I bet things will be better by morning. If not then do as you suggested and see if that helps keep the water clean and fresh.

If anything does happen I am sure John will take good care of you!

[robxc80]

Thanks. I know John will take good care. The box wasn't damaged but many of the bags leaked. The inner bags leaked into the outer ones. I hope they pull through. The last one that still isdisoriented is the one that concerns me.

[Second Hand Pat]

Sometimes fish take shipping hard plus you never know how the box was handled in transmit. I would keep the tank dark and allow the fish to rest and recover. It is amazing what an overnight rest can achieve. If that one fish does not recover I am sure John will take care of you. I would suggest not adding meds until the fish are up, eating and acting normal. Meds this early could complicate their recovery as it becomes another stress factor.
Pat

[robxc80]

Thanks Pat. Do you think the salt is worth repeating after a new WC tomorrow?

[woopaul5]

I'm sure they'll pull through. Just a lot of patience and clean water will go a long way.

Personally I'd hold of on the prazi and metro unless they showed signs of needing it. Out of 3 shipments of wilds I only had to do a round of formalin once. Best of luck!

[Second Hand Pat]

Thanks Pat. Do you think the salt is worth repeating after a new WC tomorrow?

See how the fish look and go from there. What did you get?
Pat

[robxc80]

Thanks all. I got 5 Maracana reds and 3 uatuma reds.

[tvoydan]

Nice selection. Post some pics when you get a chance. I'd like to see what the reds look like.

[Phillydubs]

Second that on pics !! Are they red red or more that brownish red ?

[robxc80]

The discus are looking much better today. They are all up and about. One remains dark and has a couple whitish spots on its flank and some have torn fins. Ammonia burn more than likely.

I'll update when I get home tonight.

The fish look more brownish than red currently. I hope that changes over time.

[robxc80]

I had trouble loading pics on here yesterday.

[Second Hand Pat]

The discus are looking much better today. They are all up and about. One remains dark and has a couple whitish spots on its flank and some have torn fins. Ammonia burn more than likely.

I'll update when I get home tonight.

The fish look more brownish than red currently. I hope that changes over time.

Check your ammonia levels. You added a huge bio-load and your filter might need time to catch up. Good to hear they are looking better. Make sure your pictures are 2MBs or less to upload them to the site.
Pat

[Phillydubs]

Great news! Glad to hear that they seem much better! Update us later please and make sure you do a big WC tonight!

[robxc80]

Thank you. I will do a 50 percent change tonight and throw in some live black works to get them feeding. The tank held some refugee fish I just sold off this past weekend so I'm hopeful the bioload will be ok. The tank also has floating dwarf water lettuce to compliment the two sponge filters and the emperor 400.