Black Ruby Barb Acting Strange

[Sheridanp]

Well, I had six black ruby barbs about a year ago. now, 5 of them have died in that time. there is just one and he seems to being crazy. he goes up and down the glass constantly and goes from side to side really fast. i bought a tiny black ruby today, because they only had one small one to keep him company. but with the size difference will it even matter? and the bigger matter, what's going on with him?

 

[WILDER]

Need water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Any sign of flicking and rubbing.
Check the gill area for signs of the gills being pale, or excess mucas on them, or red and inflamed.
Well going up and down a tank is a sign of stress.
Any signs of dusting, fluff, or spots on the body, greyish areas.

 

[Sheridanp]

I'll test the water tomorrow, but I think it's good.
No flicking or rubbing.
Hmm, the gill area is a little pale and it is red.
Every single time I look at the tank he's going up and down.

 

[WILDER]

I would read up on flukes.
http/article.dphnet.com/cat-02/flukes1.shtml

 

[Sheridanp]

Well all I have if Melafix and I live in a very rural area and the closest place where I can actually buy some real medication is 3 hours away.

Would Maracyn 1 or 2 work?

 

[vancouver]

They should be in groups of at least 4... so it's probably very skittish due to being uncomfortable..

if you get 3 or 4 more it might start acting like itself again..

normally when you keep schooling fish by themselves they act uncomfortable.. that could just be whats going on

 

[Sheridanp]

Well I try to but the pet store has nothing. That's what I was thinking too, because the second day or so when the other black rubys were dead he started acting crazy.

 

[WILDER]

Maracyn no good for flukes its a bacterial med, fish can get bacterial infection on top of flukes.
You need a parasite med if you think it flukes like clout.

 

[Sheridanp]

Would you be able to suggest a parasite med please? I'd like to order it.

 

[Lateral Line]

It is FAR more likely that the fish is stressed by being alone then sick with rare parasites.

 

[vancouver]

I said that long ago but I was being ignored I guess..

 

[Lateral Line]

I said that long ago but I was being ignored I guess

You can always suggest, but people are free to believe what they want, however misguided they are.

 

[Sheridanp]

I thought that also. And since I've been using this Melafix on another one of my fish, he seems back to normal. But I'm getting more barbs as soon as I can.