Fish Rapid breathing

[xruss]

Hey there!

I have an Acanthurus olivaceus and an Siganus doliatus in my 12 gallon quarantine tank for nearly 1 month, since i got them they have an really heavy and rapid breathing behaviour also they are very shy and hide themselfes instantly when i enter the room.

I installed a camera to watch them, they just swim around like every other fish but they keep that havy breathing all the time.

Both got trouogh an perfect TTM routine for 6 Transfers with Praziquantel and Metronidazole every other day as i tought the Siganus had intestial parasites, cause his body was realy flat when i bought them.

The fishes are about 2-2,5 inch in lenght.
They are eating like pigs, but then they instantly go back hiding.
I feed them self grown Caulerpa and granulate/flakes.

Water Temperature is about 75° F
Salintiy about 1.020
I run the tank with an powerhead with sponge for bioligical filtration
I measure ammonia with an ammonia badge from seachem

Actually the fish seems to be totaly healthy, no white spots in the fins or body since 3 weeks, no scratching, its only the heavy breathing that isnt natural..

The tank runs with 4 hours of lightning.

Any ideas what i could try to do or what causes this behaviour?
greets

 

[Diesel]

@Humblefish @melypr1985 will direct you hopefully for a recovery.

 

[jsker]

You my be running Hyposalinity treatment to long and this starting to effect the fish. I would bring up the temp and salinity slowly and also add vitamin M amino acids to the food with focus the help with the immune systems.

 

[4FordFamily]

It sounds like ammonia, or velvet or other parasite, or not enough oxygen in the water. A video would help, since that's not narrowed down at all.

I'm leaning away from the oxygen issue because you say you have a powerhead breaking the surface. If the ammonia badge shows yellow it's probably not ammonia.

Unlikely to be gill flukes after prazi treatments, assuming you ran two treatments 5-7 days apart.

 

[Pruett-nc]

Have you tried testing the water for ammonia. In my line of work we use the phrase of what if ( dangerous job ) . What if the badge is lieing . Breathing heavy sounds like ammonia to me .

 

[Humblefish]

All good suggestions above, but let's make sure low O2 isn't the culprit here. Is your QT covered by a top or wide open? Is the powerhead pointed towards the surface of the water?

No chance of a nearby toxin (exs. household cleaner, bug spray, scented candle) getting into the water, right?

Also, other than prazi & metro have you treated with any other medications?

 

[xruss]

Hey guys!

Thanks for your replies!
I took a good look at ammonia, i used several badges, all have shown a bright yellow.
There is no toxin nearby, and i did the prazi/metro treatment like it is reccomended in this forum.

The powerhead is pointed toward the surface!
But i thought myself, just try it and add an airstone.. well, the breathing went better after 2 hours, after 2 days the breathing is just fine.
But i think these 2 fishes just dont like me, as they just go in their hiding spots when i go into the room, maybe time will lift this behaviour.
No white/red/black spots, no fast breathing, eating like pigs, looks safe as for today!