Comparison of fish behaviour with and w/o C02

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

As part of the process to introducing/acclimating some new fish to the display tank, I turned OFF c02 for the entire day today, and reduce the light considerably. So, it had been close to 24 hours with no c02 by the time the fish were introduced..

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I couldn't help but notice how much different the rummies were breathing in terms of gill rate as compared to the SAME time when c02 is normally on....

They are more active as well, even though they are not sluggish at all.

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Based on this observation, I am going to lower c02 gradually until the gill rate is CLOSER to normal, and then increase SLOWLY from there. I do not want to go much past that, but some will depend on plant growth.

That being said, MY FISH ARE MORE IMPORTANT than my plants, and if I can't introduce as much c02 as I need, I will simply change the plant species to match

I see no need to push the fish for the plants...I added some extra surface ripple and 02 to help when c02 is on from now on..by adjusting the mp40 and the eheim outlets...

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Just thought that it may be worth a shot every now and then for folks to do this....

One day of non c02 if the tank is going well should not cause any lasting harm...Keep the light off that day too if you want and only use it for the observation period.. Just a rainy day to the plants....

The difference was readily apparent as I have a clear picture of the fish at various times of the day and their patterns...

Thanks for listening...

 

[Tom Barr]

Many species are relatively inactive during the day anyways........and feed at the early AM and the PM sunset, this is when it's good to go fishing also.
Gill rates are good quantitative methods to measure breathing stress.

 

[mathman]

What is a normal gill rate for fish?

 

[1077]

I believe respiration rates are different for different species, Smaller fish may have faster rate than much larger fish.
In presence of toxins such as ammonia,nitrites, or low dissolved oxygen, high temps, rates will be much faster and is good indicator that something is amiss.

 

[Tom Barr]

What is a normal gill rate for fish?

You measure a good healthy fish without CO2, and confirm the O2 level is and the temp.
This needs done over time to get a relative average over the day, we breath harder/faster also, when we are more active, and not so much when we are not. Same with fish.

Still, large rate changes and behavioral changes can be seen.
No need to count.

 

[Gerryd]

Hi all,

It is all via observation. I am quite familiar with the tank while c02 is on and have watched the fish for this very purpose of comparison. I have seen them at low and high co2, different times of day, etc.

So, is clear in my mind what the gill rate and behaviour are..

Turning c02 off for even 24 hours will be enough to discern diffs. However, you need to compare more than one point in time....I sat and watched the fish for two day basically and saw a difference.