juliethegr8t
Addicted and in Therapy
Well, this morning when I first checked on my new cherry barbs (bought them Saturday), I noticed the male was acting a little strangely. He seemed to be swimming in short, fast spurts, and then just floating, sometimes at an angle with his head downwards. 
Of course I immediately checked my water, and everything is fine - 0 ammonia and nitrites, and safe, low levels of nitrates. Nothing has changed since I added them. I did do a 20% water change today, just to be safe. Since the water change, he seems to be doing better, no more of the head down stuff, but still just swimming in spurts and then floating around. He also occasionally goes flying up to the surface and hangs around there for a little while. The female seems to do sort of the same thing, so maybe part of it is just how they swim? I've never had these kind before. However, she floats less in general though, and keeps moving her fins when she floats, he doesn't seem to. The only thing I can think might be causing this is heat? It's not super hot here, but it has been and the tank has been warmer than I'd like it (around the low 80's when I prefer 77/78). Could this cause sluggishness or anything like his behavior? Also, these guys haven't eaten since I got them. I've added just a little bit of food a few times, but they just haven't seemed to have figured out what it is. Usually they don't even investigate. Anyone have suggestions on what I should do for that? I don't know if I need to really alert them to the food or what. Thanks.
Also - I added my blue dwarf gourami into the 5 gallon today. It's hilarious, the red one in my 10 seems completely baffled as to where his battling partner went. He swims around and flares up at everyone, until he realizes they're not who he wanted.
On the other hand, the blue seems quite content not to be bullied anymore. He's swimming around quite peacefully - I think he enjoys not having to stay in that little pot all the time. The danios are also enjoying him being gone, because they get to go in the pot now - no big mean fishie to keep them away! 
Of course I immediately checked my water, and everything is fine - 0 ammonia and nitrites, and safe, low levels of nitrates. Nothing has changed since I added them. I did do a 20% water change today, just to be safe. Since the water change, he seems to be doing better, no more of the head down stuff, but still just swimming in spurts and then floating around. He also occasionally goes flying up to the surface and hangs around there for a little while. The female seems to do sort of the same thing, so maybe part of it is just how they swim? I've never had these kind before. However, she floats less in general though, and keeps moving her fins when she floats, he doesn't seem to. The only thing I can think might be causing this is heat? It's not super hot here, but it has been and the tank has been warmer than I'd like it (around the low 80's when I prefer 77/78). Could this cause sluggishness or anything like his behavior? Also, these guys haven't eaten since I got them. I've added just a little bit of food a few times, but they just haven't seemed to have figured out what it is. Usually they don't even investigate. Anyone have suggestions on what I should do for that? I don't know if I need to really alert them to the food or what. Thanks.Also - I added my blue dwarf gourami into the 5 gallon today. It's hilarious, the red one in my 10 seems completely baffled as to where his battling partner went. He swims around and flares up at everyone, until he realizes they're not who he wanted.
On the other hand, the blue seems quite content not to be bullied anymore. He's swimming around quite peacefully - I think he enjoys not having to stay in that little pot all the time. The danios are also enjoying him being gone, because they get to go in the pot now - no big mean fishie to keep them away! 
