Sick Black Ruby Barb - Advice Needed

[Akasha72]

looking much better

 

[betta fish]

That's great news he does look much better, the only thing I am thinking now is perhaps he was injured by the alpha and returning him back to the tank may cause it to reoccur?

 

[Akasha72]

I was thinking something similar betta fish - I was wondering if it was a stress reaction to the other male. Only way to tell is to return him and see if the symptoms re-appear

 

[Hathaway]

It's possible, though the chasing I've witnessed hasn't been anything more than just seeing him off or if he gets sight of him with one of the females. Nothing out of the ordinary... and he gave just as good to the third male lol.
I'll probably just monitor the situation after he's reintroduced and see how it goes. I think it's more likely my brief lax in tank maintenance, coupled with the ammonia spike caused some complication which I've managed to catch early and start reversing. Here's hoping anyway.

 

[Hathaway]

Unfortunately the moment I reintroduced him back into the main tank he behaved exactly the same way as before, it's perplexing. The alpha, and I think the clown loaches too, have begun to shred his fins and the whitish markings on the side of his body have returned, I think it's where he's been nibbled at. So I'm left with the choice of putting him back into quarantine, but for how long? Or euthanising him. I don't have another tank to spare and as a shoaling fish I'm guessing he wouldn't be happy on his own anyway. Having said that he's largely avoiding his own kind and can't swim nearly as well.

 

[Akasha72]

he's being bullied. The head shaking is obviously his way of telling you he's stressed. So the options would be that he lives in your Q tank perminantly which is no bad thing if he's happy on his own. 2. you euthenize him which seems cruel for a healthy fish or option 3. re-home him - this would seem the best option. Have you tried bringing the subject up with you lfs perhaps? There may be someone who has a tank of females who's looking for a male ... the other alternative is you post your location on here and see if there is someone on here that could take him in. 
 
No-one wants to see an otherwise healthy fish put to sleep 

 

[Hathaway]

Well for the moment he's back in quarantine. Was horrible watching him being picked at.
The quarantine tank will be used to house new fish some time next week, but I doubt they'll be a problem. I suppose at a pinch he could remain in there. I'd be concerned the moment I need it as a hospital tank though.

I'm located in Andover, Hampshire. So if anyone was nearby and was looking for a, now extremely, docile black ruby barb and could give him a good home then I'd gladly give him up. He'd probably be best off in a tank of small fish, tetras say. I'd be concerned that even generally peaceful fish would otherwise single him out.

I got him from kesgrave and I doubt my only lfs (maidenhead) would be interested in having him given his needs.

 

[Akasha72]

had you of been in Yorkshire I would have asked my Dad ... he lost his adult male last year but he has two remaining females that bicker a lot since the male died. He's toyed with getting another male a few times just to see if the females stop bickering.
 
Anyhow ... hopefully something can be sorted out for this fish. Such a shame to have a solitary life. Keep me posted on what happens