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Hi, Ive had 2 silvers for a week now I they seem to breath very heavy, well compared to the other fish. Is this something to worry about or is that just the way they are?

I assume that they came with Ick and have been treating tank 1 1/2 days now, the heavy breathing was noticed before the treatment.. any help would be great..

They are active and eating fine..
no numbers to give right now, tank has been running for 2 yrs and Ive added 6 more fish(2 silvers included)over the last month to 5 lemon tetras,up-d catfish,6 cherry barbs
40gal

tks Sue

Oh just remembered,the gills on the silvers,not really sure but isnt there some gill disease where the gills are red looking,and puffy say...well they are fine just thought Id mention that too..
Sue

When one of my tanks a got ick, all my fish were breathing heavily aswell, even before the treatment. In a few more days I would say that the ick will be cleared up. Its sometiems actaully really hard to tell why a fish is breathing so hard, but I would pin it on the ick. Also your stock sounds fine but keep in mind that the silver dollars get a nice size, but they do not grow too fast so i think you have best kind as of now for stock.

This is probably related to the White Spot outbreak that you mentioned in another thread.

Once the White Spot has been treated in accordance with the directions given, the Silver Dollars should start respiring at a more leisurely pace.

Incidentally, not only do Silver Dollars grow to be chunky fishes depending upon species (you can expect them to become 6 inch fishes in the fullness of time), but [1] they are shoaling fishes, and ideally need a group of 6 or more to be happy, and [2] they are herbivorous, and will happily snack upon quite a few aquarium plant species, so if your tank is planted, expect to see the plants being nibbled fairly assiduously!


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

Hi.. OK thought it might have been the ick.. tanks looking good.. no spots and the fish seem better..and yes I know they do get big.
Im looking into a good stand for the other 40gal+, and then I will be moving them out and getting more..
How many you think in a 40? was only planning on 4 total..

Ive plants but I dont mind them nibbling away at all
tks Sue

Well 1 Silver Dollar cant fit in a 40 gallon. I would say 70 minumum for a small school for them