RTBS

[bettamax]

I noticed about a week ago that my RTBS was acting a little oddly. Every so often he rolls. The other day he let himself "drop" to the gravel. I haven't noticed any "rubbing or scratching". I just tested my water. Ammonia not present, Nitrite .1, kh 30mg/litre, gh moderately hard, pH 7.4.

20 gallon planted tank. 1 Gold Gourami, 4 bronze corys, 5 blue neon tetra's, 11 black neon tetras and a glowlight tetra. Have been living in harmony since at least January. Water changes weekly. Shark is about 3 inches long now and I've had him about 18 months.

Any experience experts willing to chime in please do . . .

Thanks

 

[Kajuki18]

It sounds like your tank is a little overcrowed. Also your Red-Tailed Black Sharks need a bigger tank like at least a 30 gallon.

 

[Ferris]

My RTBS regularly swims sideways or even upside down to feed from plant leaves or the underside of caves etc. However he does not do this in open water, if this is the case with yours it could be an early sign of swim bladder or other internal infection.

 

[Angel Lady]

It is doing this because they are nitrite is present in your tank. If something isnt right with the water the redtailedblackshark will do this. I would recommend doing a water change to lower the nitrite in your tank. Is the tank fully cycled yet?? If so why is nitrite present in your tank.

 

[bettamax]

According to my test kit the Nitrite level is measuring less than 0.3mg per litre. Well within the 0.1 range which according to the test kit is "a safe level of Nitrite".
I agree that the aquarium is small for him even tho he's not full size. He'll be moving to a larger tank soon. I've retested the water as recommended by the test and the nitrate level is not on the rise. I've just completed a partial water change and will be testing the water again within 24 hours.

I've been watching the RTBS and he's eating (ravenously) and appears to be swimming well. I often see him "roll" to feed (its charming).

The odd behaviour I referred to had me thinking parasite or bladder issue. Because he is usually near the bottom I imagine water quality issues would be affecting him the most. The cories seem fine, barbels intact etc. I'll be stepping up the water changes until I get him to a new home, watching him closely.

I've been putting off getting a larger tank but I guess its time. But if I must get a larger tank . . .

Thanks for all the input, it is appreciated

 

[pica_nuttalli]

you should have NO nitrite reading in a fully cycled aquarium. if you have even the slightest nitrite reading, then something has interfered with your nitrogen cycle.

just because the test kit says a level is "safe", doesn't actually mean that its not affecting your fish. different fish have different chemical sensitivies. an extreme example is that discus will drop dead at the slightest hint of ammonia but bettas can survive sitting in piles of their own waste for weeks. that "safe" level is only an average value applicable to the majority of fish--a group that apparently does not include the RTBS.

 

[digital_run]

Agreed with Pica and Angel...water changes will only ever help and they display like this when conditions aren't optimal. Kajuki also mentioned already that RTB's need to be kept in a 30gal min tank...They could be kept in a 20gal, but an overstocked tank will put added stress on your RTB (all of them really) and will only further problems down the road. JMO

Ðigital

 

[Angel Lady]

I have had several of the rtbs before and they are one thing I do know about these little fellows. They cannot stand anything at all the matter with thier water. And If I am a betting person that is what is the matter with your shark. Try changing your water out some and see if this help. The nitrite and ammonia is always supposed to be 0 and nothing else is safe when it comes to those two readings.

 

[bettamax]

Well, after a couple of water changes the nitrite level I'm relieved to report is coming up clear . I'll continue to test of course to ensure that it is stable. A larger tank is sitting on my floor waiting to be set up this weekend . I got a good deal on a 30 gallon from someone who just upgraded to 225 g.

I'm planning on starting the new tank fresh and cycling it with 3 or four of my black neons to start. I figure its no more of a risk than bringing something home from the store that could be sick. If they survive over the next couple of weeks I can add a few more neons and then maybe the bronze cories and eventually the shark.

I've never "moved" fish on this scale so any comments are always appreciated.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

are you moving everything from the 20 to the 30 or just some things?

if you're eventually moving everything to the 30 and getting rid of the 20, you can put it all in at once so long as you move the filter from the 20g and a couple handfuls of the substrate too. that will move most of your beneficial bacteria into the larger tank and the extra water volume should help pad conditions until your bacteria colonies grow back to their original size.

if you're only moving a few things from the 20 to the 30, run the new filter for the larger tank alongside the original tank. double filter for a few weeks, then setup the 30g with the new filter and the fish you intend to upgrade. the 30g filter should have a decent size bacterial colony at that point and should be capable of handling a half-stocked tank just fine.