I have 8 red-belly piranha, and ever since I bought them they have been anything but shy and skittish. Their favourite spots in the tank were right at the front in full view, and they would curiously come and investigate whenever I pressed my finger against the glass.
However, there was an ammonia spike so I naturally did a water change, and ever since that water change (their behaviour gave no indication of ammonia present) they have hidden in one of the ornaments at the back of the tank, and do not venture far from it, even for their favourite food. This has me fairly puzzled and worried, since there was nothing out of the ordinary about the water change (siphon from near the surface) and nothing was disturbed in the tank.
Could anyone think of a possible explanation for any of this? I'd appreciate it.
They may have just been shocked by the water change, as they were probably really used to their special little eco-system, But to fix the problem is much harder then making it. It's a time game, with patience and as little interuption possible will speed it up, but they may not even be curious and confident ever again, Maybe get one more fish so they could investigate the fish if nothing else works, hope i helped:)
pills
I have never kept them, but I imagine piranahs like water a little on the warmer side. In winter my faucet water is a lot colder than in summer weather.. You can shock a tank down 10 degrees fast with a water change. I try and adjust to the tank temps. Some hot water heaters can have added heavy metals though - not good either. two ways that I get around this problem - I only use warmed water from the tap if it is fresh - meaning I know the water heater was emptied and then refilled again recently (after I shower or run the dishwasher), so it hasn't sat there getting all heavy metallic for days. Or I warm a couple of cups of cold water tap in the microwave and add to bucket of properly conditioned cold water. i don't bother with reading it perfectly, I just feel it with my hand and compare to the tank water. If I err, it is on the side of a little bit warmer rather than colder.
