New Senegal Acting Strange.

[kniesh]

Hi huys, went to my local maidenhead today and after spending an eternity trying to find a senegal Bichir for my 90gal and eventually turning it into an Mbuna tank they finally had them. I have had to make some adjustments to my 40gal now but decided to get one to put in there. I currently have it 'overstocked' in the eyes of mst people but I've just set up a 30 gal as my firemouth was being bullied by a RTBS an my Parrot. Anyway the Senegal has not moved from the surface of the water since I put it in. I know it takes time to adjust but I am quite worried as I know this should probably be hiding at the bottom really. Is this normal or should I be worried this is mre than just the stress of the move? Thx

 

[DarkEntity]

What are the water stats for the tank?

Is sounds as if its either stressed or struggling with swim bladder. Having said that i have read a few threads on other forums where a Polypterus had stuck air and had to have the air massaged out to sort the floating problem.

 

[kniesh]

Stats are all fine. It doesnt seem to be floating as it was fine when first put in. it is just swimming up there.

 

[beblondie]

Hanging about the surface is not uncommon in young polypterids.Add some floating plants so it can hide in them-Anne

 

[Feral123]

lol, my senegal does this sometimes too, the young ones will swim around the top sometimes but when they get older they'll stay at the bottom mostly.

 

[kniesh]

Thx guys, I was beginning to get worried there.

 

[Feral123]

anytime kniesh

 

[Straydum]

i'd advise you to watch him carefully. mine was behaving around the same for awhile. a couple of months i would say. and just one day he suddenly died. it was real painful. almost had him for 2 years

 

[Feral123]

Straydum, was there anything else wrong with him that might have caused him to die you think?

 

[Straydum]

i cant think of any. he wasnt showing any signs of illness. he still ate well and was quite active too. i tested my water aswell but it turned out normal.