Gasping For Air!?

[Fee]

My male Apistogramma viejita is gasping for air at the bottom of the tank? Do you think he has somehting stuck in his throat? I gave him some peas today they were cut up but one might have been too big. He can swim fine but is at the bottom opening and lcosing his mouth all the time?

 

[a.i.m]

Gasping for air normally refers to fish at the top of the tank actually gasping for air, as for your fish breathing, does it look like its having to breathe faster and harder than normal, in this case id add an air stone or air tube to the top of a filter to airate the tank if its not already being done.

Whats your water stats? Manybe a water change is over due?

whats the water temp, as warmer the water - the less oxygen.

Hope this helps.

 

[WILDER]

Could be something lodged if water quality is fine, can you remove him from the tank to take a look, wrap his in a clean wet cloth dipped in tank water, then wrap him in the cloth, you might need to sterlise some tweezers just in case, good luck.

 

[Fee]

I dont know about the water stats as i have run out of tests and cant get another till the weekend. The other fish are all fine and my female is acting normal. I took him out of the water and nothing looked wrong. He just lets himself sink to the bottom and stays there looking helpless. Is there anything else i can do? I have to go to work now but i will do a water change tonight.

 

[a.i.m]

See if he perks up after your water change, fingers crossed.

 

[Fee]

Have changed the water, and I changed the layout so that he has some bogwood caves to hide in, which he was done. I’m really worried, I have seen him eat which requires him to come to the surface but then he just sinks to the bottom. I gave the tank some bloodworm a few days ago which he ate the majority of, do you think it could be because of that? That’s why I put the peas in to help the bowls along and then that’s when I noticed. He just looks really depressed and no longer swims around, could it be psychological? The female has just reached sexual maturity might it be because of that? Sorry that I am asking so many questions, its just I have become very attached with him, his name is Mango! Thank you so much for helping I wouldn’t know what to do other wise.

 

[black angel]

swim bladder problems can make fish sink as well, but that doesnt count for the hard breathing.
How long have you had him and is he new or is there any new fish youve added recently? It could be a parasite as that can knock them a bit and cause heavy breathing.
What are your tank stats?

 

[Fee]

Hes about 3weeks since i added him and hes the last one to be added. I dont know whether he is sinking or he is just choosing to stay at the bottom. As far as i can see there are is nothing wrong but that otherwise he looks healthy. The other fish are all fine and swimming around ok. I have to wait till the weekend before i can buy some more tests, as i dont have any transport.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Buy some test kits from your lfs for ammonia, nitrates and nitrites and post us your stats ASAP.
How long has the tank been set up, how many gallons is it and what is its current residents?
Do you use dechlorinator and how often do you do water changes(and how much) on an average basis?

 

[WILDER]

They can heavy breath with swim bladder see it alot, i think them being bloated makes them heavy breath and out of breath.

 

[Fee]

Tank has been set up for 4months now it is 16gallons with the male the female, 4 zebra danios and 2 black widows. I do weekly water changes of 20% and use dechlorinator each time i change the water and i weekly add stress zyme and stress coat using the information on the bottles label. Are there any internet sites which sell water test kits that would ship quickly? If not i will have to wait till saturday, which i know is not ideal but i cant think of another way to get them?!?!

 

[WILDER]

This company is fast two days.
http/www.aquatics-warehouse.co.uk/acatal...TICALS_115.html

 

[Fee]

Thankyou! Lets hope i have enough money on my card, man money goes so fast i can hardly remember where half of it went!

 

[WILDER]

Lol, yes a quite an expensive hobby, always seem to be buying something, good luck.

 

[Fee]

Test came today
results are
pH= 7.5
Nitrite= 0mg/l
Ammonia= <o.3mg/l
This is all fine isnt it? Whats my next step? Should i take him to the lfs that i got him from?