Scissortail not looking good

[Rory the cat]

Got up this morning to find Sciss looking very distressed at the top of the tank. He's gasping for air, swiming in an erratic fashion and hitting the gravel and the sides of the tank. He's getting himself caught in the plants at odd angles, then swimming off and hiding.

The other fish are fine and the water is fine also (27c, 0 amm, 0 no2, 20 no3).

Have fed the others (he didn't take any which is VERY unusual) and switched the light back off - also added some stress coat in case he has damaged himself.

No signs of ICH anywhere. He is a rather old chap (at least 5 yrs old).

Nothing could have stressed him in any way overnight, the house is quiet (no kids) and the light has been off since 10.30pm when he was fine. No water changes or gravel vacuuming has been done in the past few days, which sometimes can stress him out.

help anyone?

 

[Rory the cat]

Just checked him again - he's still in a state, almost as though something has really spooked him. He's really gasping and looks very scared. Have kept the tank lights off.

Please can anyone give me any clue as to what this can be?

 

[tstenback]

Sounds like a parasite of some kind with the gasping and erratic swimming. I would isolate if possible and use any parasite med that you can get at the LFS. Sometimes salt can help. Not much specific help but hopefully all will go well.