Flicking / Flashing

[mwmw]

Hello,

Over the past 3/4 weeks some of my fish have been flashing against things.
All the water tests show no problems.
Have tried anti-parasite (non-visable) and anti-bacteria medicine and now am at a loss.
Help Please.

 

[sunflower]

Are there any other symptoms?

Flicking against things is usually a sign of something irritating the skin.

Also, exactly what tests have you done on your water and what were the results?

 

[Angry_Platy]

What kind of fish? If you have african cichlids I wouldn't be too concerned as these fish will flick randomly for no reason!!

Watch for ich....it can take some time to develop after the fish atrts flicking

 

[littleme1969]

I think flicking can mean many things.... My fish did it for a while when I put them in the new tank....no reason.... no other symptoms..... and it never developed into anything either.. certain fish still do on one particular plant..they seem to get a kick out of it... I have heard it said on here that it can be to do with feeding and the fish feeling full ... but not sure on that. If there are no other symptoms and the fish are eating well I would just watch carefully..it may be a habit or just fun... who knows But ich is always one to keep an eye out for, and the quicker you see it and treat it the better the outcome will be

Goodluck

 

[snoobab]

My Loaches used to sometimes flick after doing a water change if I did not adjust the pH of the new water, since I now have a large 60 litre container in which I aerate the water for a few days and get it to the right pH before doing the water change. ...No more flicking!

 

[parker313]

My ram will flick on things too. It could just be a sign of marking of territory.... What kind of fish do you have?

 

[Def]

Some of m,y platys do it too, and they only do it on 2 plants. They flick once or twice, and thats it. They've done it since I've had them, never seen any other symptoms of disease...

 

[swozzie]

Flashing is commonly down to an external parasite infection. You say you have treated with anti-parasite but it didn't help.

I have the same problem at the moment and found some useful information. Many anti-parasite medications contain malachite green (I use Sterazin). I have used this with no result, so I emailed WATERLIFE.

Normally they recommend dosing on days 1,3,6,8 and 10. The guy at WATERLIFE says that the bacteria in the filter could be neutralising the medication and so suggested I do a 10 day period of dosing twice a day!

I am in the process of doing this at the moment.

Malachite green also gets neutralised by uv light so make sure you switch of your uv steraliser - if you have one. The guy at WATERLIFE says that normal strip lights and ambient daylight don't have much effect on malachite green. Remember to also remove carbon/zeolite/phospate/nitrate absorbers etc.

 

[swozzie]

Salt treatment is also effective for killing off external parasites. I am going to try this next if my current attempt fails.