Why Do Silver Dollar Fish Spook So Easy

BettaBuddy · Mar 3, 2011

My silver dollar got spooked and swam full speed right into the sunken ship! The whole front of his nose peeled off! Now he's in the back, panicking, and he has a flap of scales/skin halfway hanging on and it's scaring him.

What should I do for him? He's in my 55 tank, no quarantine to put him in. How can I make sure he heals. There is a chunk missing from his nose now It looks really painful!

alstav · Mar 3, 2011

Like humans, fish will heal themselves. two things you can do to ensure that the fish doesn't die is use maracyn. Maracyn is an antI biotic that ensures the wound does not get infected. However, be careful on the amounts you use because it can kill the aquarium bacteria. Also, when the fish looks healed try using stress coat. It will help replace the slime on the fish's coat.
Be careful of water quality and ensure all levels remain constant and the fish should heal itself. Best of luck.

Nutter · Mar 3, 2011

Forget adding any medications. So long as you keep the water quality good & avoid causing the fish more stress it will heal itself. These kinds of injuries happen all the time & adding meds is completley unnecessary.

Landozer18 · Mar 3, 2011

I also don't recommend using medications. Just keep testing water & doing partial water changes...keeping good condition. What other fish do you have in the tank?

Nutter · Mar 3, 2011

I also don't recommend using medications. Just keep testing water & doing partial water changes...keeping good condition. What other fish do you have in the tank?

Assuming the info is accurate the tanks stock is tank one in the Aquarium Info panel Dozer.

harpua2002 · Mar 3, 2011

Forget adding any medications. So long as you keep the water quality good & avoid causing the fish more stress it will heal itself. These kinds of injuries happen all the time & adding meds is completley unnecessary.

I also don't recommend using medications. Just keep testing water & doing partial water changes...keeping good condition. What other fish do you have in the tank?

Assuming the info is accurate the tanks stock is tank one in the Aquarium Info panel Dozer.

Agree with this. ^

Maracyn will likely wreak havoc with your bio filter (speaking from experience here) even though the packaging says otherwise. IMHO it will be much less stressful for your silver dollar to do frequent water changes to provide it with plenty of clean water, than to put your tank into a minI cycle and subject the fish to poor water quality.

Landozer18 · Mar 3, 2011

Assuming the info is accurate the tanks stock is tank one in the Aquarium Info panel Dozer.

I've kinda got the idea to ask cause its easy to forget to update the lists.

catsma_97504 · Mar 4, 2011

In addition to the above, you might try Vita Chem, Garlic Guard or even crush fresh garlic, add a few drops of water and soak some flakes in it. Garlic is a natural antibiotic.

How big is your Silver Dollar? I have one that is more than 10 years old. He is in a 55G temporarily. I've had to remove almost all my decor as I have the same problem. When Silver Dollars spook, they can actually kill themselves banging into the tank walls. You might want to consider upgrading the tank. It is my understanding that these fish do better in a 6 foot long tank.

Hope your guy heals quickly!

Aquarist · Mar 4, 2011

Good morning,

I had a Silver Dollar to scrape itself on a tree stump and it left a nasty gash on the fish. It healed on its own simply by keeping pristine water conditions. It took a while to heal and there is a scar but the fish is doing just fine now. All healed.

I used Nova Aqua + to add additional body slime to the fish.

I also use Garlic Guard and Vita Chem as Catsma mentioned above. The Garlic Guard helps to boost the fishes immune system and of course Vita Chem for additional vitamins.

Garlic juice from minced garlic (no additives) in a jar can also be used:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...r-just-an-example-for-those-needing-it.62705/

Medications should only be used as a last resort.

In the photo below, you can see the scar. The wound may turn black before it turns silver.

Best wishes for your fish!

Ken

I have moved your thread to the Characins/Silver Dollar section of the forum.

BettaBuddy · Mar 4, 2011

Thanks guys! Buck is looking a bit better today, still a nasty gash across his nose, but he's calm now and hanging out in his hiding spot. I'm leaving the lights off today to keep everyone calm and quiet so he can relax. I don't like using chemicals anyway because I'm always afraid I could overdose them.

Thanks, Ken, for moving this topic. I was unaware that there was a form for silver dollars, and as I'm sure you can imagine, I was pretty panicked after he got hurt. My poor baby just looked so scared.

He's about the size of my palm, I got him in October from someone who had him for 3 years in a 15 gallon high tank. Can that stunt his growth? He's the only silver dollar in my 55 gallon because all the silver dollars I've found are the size of a dime!! I don't want him to try and eat them (don't know if he would, but don't want to try it).

Also, I can't upgrade my tank and I'm afraid that 2-3 silver dollars will not fit in my 55 gallon. I live with my parents and I already have the 55, 15, and 2.5. They won't let me get anymore, ESPECIALLY a bigger tank (they say it costs too much to run).

I wish I knew someone nearby that could adopt Buck, someone with silver dollars and some extra room. The pet store won't take him

catsma_97504 · Mar 4, 2011

Leaving the lights off today is a good idea. I know it keeps mine calmer. When not kept in a school, these fish tend to freak out even more! I know from personal experience.

Have you tried craigslist? Do you have a mom&pop store nearby? You might find someone who can take him.

Too bad we don't live closer. I could take him.

The "old man" we have was a rescue. The previous owner said he was 10 years or more. I felt so sorry for him. His mate had died and he was the only SD in the tank. And, from neglect lost almost all his finage. I purchased those dime sized SDs and they school together. Now, those dimers are about 3-4 inches, but all 5 of them hide behind him for protection. It's almost like he is their parent. No one is happy in the 55 because I had to remove almost all the decor for their protection. Once I get my 125 repaired and running again, that's where my school will end up....along with the Clown Loaches I have.

BettaBuddy · Mar 4, 2011

I tried the mom and pop store. They said that SD's don't sell well and they don't want him because he'll get too big.

I don't trust craigslist people. A lot of them don't know about the nitrogen cycle or compatible fish. I've been asking around but I don't know anyone with a fish tank near me.

I really love Buck. He's very special to me. I want him to be happy, even if that means giving him away.

catsma_97504 · Mar 4, 2011

I'm sure you will figure something out.

I was looking at your profile to see what else is in the tank. You list both a common pleco and a rubber lip pleco. These two guys are huge waste machines. I see that your nitrates are 80PPM. I'm sorry to say that this is much too high to be healthy for your fish. Nitrates at 40PPM are toxic and you are double that.

Do you have plans for the common pleco? They will easily grow to 20 inches. A 55G is much too small for a fish this size.

Are you still using the Emperor 400 Bio-wheel Filter? If so, you are turning over the water 7 times per hour. And, with plecos, you need to increase your filtration to 10 times. Something to think about.

In the mean time, I'd suggest you do large water changes, 50% or more, for the next couple of days to bring down the nitrates. Healthy levels are 20PPM or lower.

Thought I'd point this out as your SD's injury may not heal well in high nitrates.

BettaBuddy · Mar 5, 2011

Yes, I know they are too high. I have to do lots of water changes. My rubber lip pleco can't be THAT big of a waste producer, he's an inch long. lol

I know the pleco will get too big. I've had him for three years. I didn't know how big they got at the time, but he's fine in there for now. Nobody wants him either.

I just guessed that the nitrates were 80, they were last time I checked but I've done several water changes since then. I'll have to check them again.

catsma_97504 · Mar 5, 2011

It is the common pleco that is producing so much waste. And, it will only increase as both plecos grow. Definitely monitor all your nitrogen levels (ammonia, nitrite and nitrate). When your fish produce too much waste for your filtration, you will have measurable ammonia and/or nitrite. And, most fish do not tolerate 40PPM of nitrate.

AlyeskaGirl · Mar 5, 2011

I'm a Silver Dollar keeper, glad he is doing good from his ordeal.

My oldest had stunned himself, face down, scared me to death! This is when he was in the 55g. Scales were floating around.........I was in the process of a water change. He came around after several minutes. So he didn't kill himself thank goodness!

BettaBuddy · Mar 5, 2011

My tank has sometimes been high with nitrates, but never had any ammonia or nitrites. the nitrates tend to stick around 40, one time it was over 160, but everyone was fine.

The rubber lip pleco is 3 years old according to the previous owner. He's always been small. I doubt he'll grow anymore if he's already 3 years and only one inch. He just chills in the back all day.

Why Do Silver Dollar Fish Spook So Easy

Help: Silver Dollar got spooked- bashed face

BettaBuddy

alstav

Nutter

Landozer18

Nutter

harpua2002

Landozer18

catsma_97504

Aquarist

Attachments

BettaBuddy

catsma_97504

BettaBuddy

catsma_97504

BettaBuddy

catsma_97504

AlyeskaGirl

BettaBuddy

0 Response to "Why Do Silver Dollar Fish Spook So Easy"

Post a Comment

Iklan Atas Artikel

Iklan Tengah Artikel 1

Iklan Tengah Artikel 2

Iklan Bawah Artikel