Rainbowfish

[tom130691]

i had 2 dwarf neon rainbows to cycle the tank things started to settle so i added 4 more to make a school of them

does one male become the boss as ive seen my original one flaring up his fins against another male of similar size and they chase each other around?

also as a 2 both fish were fine swimming around although the female would hide known again, now there is 6 the male hides and the new fish tend to follow him were as my original female sits at the top of the tank with her mouth breaking the water?

the stats are all fine all of this behavioured is because of the new fish

 

[minxfishy]

Male rainbowfish do scrap occassionally to get the females attention, never anything particularly aggressive though.

Ive found with praecox (dwarf neon) rainbows, that once they start gasping for air at the top of the tank, that they die soon afterwards. Do you have enough oxygen in the water, either via an airstone running or the filter outlet breaking the surface to create oxygen? If not, try angling the filter outlet to do so or add an airstone.

What temperature is the water? Rainbows dont like it too high.

 

[drobbyb]

Yes, they work on a hierarchy with 1 dominate male and the rest subordinates. Seeing them flaring their fins is a good sign. It's just a squabble and rainbows are famous for it. How many females do you have?

 

[tom130691]

ye i have plenty of air from a 4" air stone its not 24/7 but its up there alot and has only done this for the last 2 days since other fish
temp is around 28 degrees i have upped it a little bit to help bacteria growth



and i have 3 female 3 male

 

[minxfishy]

Thats rather high for rainbowfish, 24/25 is a better temperature for them, they can tolerate it higher, but its not their preferred range.

 

[tom130691]

Thats rather high for rainbowfish, 24/25 is a better temperature for them, they can tolerate it higher, but its not their preferred range.

ok mate will drop in down ad see what happens

 

[GAB99]

i have 5 , 1 male and 4 females at 80 degrees, the male wants to mate with them all the time.

 

[drobbyb]

Hmm. I remember that a good many people who get praecox rainbows have them die on them. I'm unsure if it's supplier related or some other unknown factor. I was reading a topic on another rainbow forum and they were talking about it possibly being a water quality issue, but not necessarily your water, rather the LFS is to blame. This could be due to lack of knowledge or poor technique, either way, dwarf neon's are a bit sensitive.

28C is too hot for long term housing of rainbows. They like cooler water, about 23C to 25C. Sure they can tolerate higher temps, but if kept outside their preferred range, you are asking for trouble. The effects of long term exposure to high temperatures is shortened lifespan and susceptibility to illnesses and infections.

 

[tom130691]

Hmm. I remember that a good many people who get praecox rainbows have them die on them. I'm unsure if it's supplier related or some other unknown factor. I was reading a topic on another rainbow forum and they were talking about it possibly being a water quality issue, but not necessarily your water, rather the LFS is to blame. This could be due to lack of knowledge or poor technique, either way, dwarf neon's are a bit sensitive.

28C is too hot for long term housing of rainbows. They like cooler water, about 23C to 25C. Sure they can tolerate higher temps, but if kept outside their preferred range, you are asking for trouble. The effects of long term exposure to high temperatures is shortened lifespan and susceptibility to illnesses and infections.

all 6 are same shop 2 differnt days and only the one is acting like this i have put the heater lower and will post tommorow if there is any change

 

[GAB99]

i agree too that these guys are sensitive, when i got mine they almost died of ich, but they got better and since then have grown and are real happy.


and i know its a little high its because of my new boesemanis, i tured the heat up to discourage disease, i will lower it this week though.

 

[tom130691]

i agree too that these guys are sensitive, when i got mine they almost died of ich, but they got better and since then have grown and are real happy.


and i know its a little high its because of my new boesemanis, i tured the heat up to discourage disease, i will lower it this week though.

they all seem happy even the one in question all showing a nice blue in the light and eating well

 

[tom130691]

temp is now down to 25
the female still like the top of the tank
how ever the poo seems to be stringy and attached to her should i feed crushed peas ?
and this could be something to do with her behaviour ?

 

[drobbyb]

Peas certainly can't hurt. Is her poo whitish or clear?

 

[tom130691]

its between the 2 realy its very simular to her fin and blends in utill she moves and you realise its not part of her fin
but i would say its more white and clear

 

[drobbyb]

Can you isolate her? I'm worried about her having internal problems. Maybe I'm a bit cautious, but I wouldn't want an unknown pathogen or parasite killing my fish 1 by 1. Maybe post in the emergency section and have wilder take a look.