Tetra problem

[AlexT]

This is new today. I would have noticed if it was yesterday. All the other fish are behaving normally. No ammonia, no nitrite and 10 nitrate. Last water change was 5 days ago. No new additions to tank in the last few weeks.

He has had it hasn't he? Something probably quite major internally? I've been watching for 30 minutes and he can only swim like that with his head down.

 

[Ichthys]

To me it looks like it’s swallowed some air, or eaten something that has produced gas inside the fish. It’s actions seem like it’s just trying to maintain its position, swimming downwards because if it stopped it would float up to the top. I’ve seen it a lot with tiger barbs and a few others and that’s exactly what it looks like to me. I wouldn’t worry about it. It’ll pass (literally).

 

[AlexT]

To me it looks like it’s swallowed some air, or eaten something that has produced gas inside the fish. It’s actions seem like it’s just trying to maintain its position, swimming downwards because if it stopped it would float up to the top. I’ve seen it a lot with tiger barbs and a few others and that’s exactly what it looks like to me. I wouldn’t worry about it. It’ll pass (literally).

I was wondering about that specific thing! Was reading up. In the last couple of days they have had some microgranules that don't think straight away, and so the tetras has been eating from the surface, and man they are so quick, but it looks like their natural behaviour to dart up to the surface and snatch food? Also, perhaps I am guilty of overfeeding? It's possible.

 

[AlexT]

If it passes, hopefully soon, because it looks tiring for him and I think some of the males think he is displaying to them, so it's attracting attention, but they are not touching him, thanks for the feedback

 

[Ichthys]

What I do with flakes is put a pinch into the water before I let go. Give it a wee swish. Try that?

 

[Colin_T]

He was displaying (showing off) to the other males.

If he is swimming with his head down when not displaying, and he floats upwards when he stops swimming, then he either has air in his intestine or a swim bladder issue.

Stop feeding dry food for a week and give them frozen or live food instead. If the problem stops after a few days without dry food, then it's air in the intestine.
If the problem continues after a week without dry food, then he has a swim bladder problem. There's no cure for swim bladder problems.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

My kribs swallow air when they eat at the surface, they've learnt to be more enthusiastic at feeding times otherwise they dont get a look in with the rainbows in hunt mode. They 'burp' after a while and start swimming normally again but it doesn't take over 30 mins if it is air, try as Ichthys says and sprinkle the food beneath the surface. You could even feed in front of the filter outlet and let the food travel through the tank in the flow so everyone gets a bit

 

[AlexT]

He was displaying (showing off) to the other males.

Really? For 30mins in that position, it would be awesome if that's what it is. I hope so. If so, he is the worst dancer in the group, that's for sure.

 

[AlexT]

My kribs swallow air when they eat at the surface, they've learnt to be more enthusiastic at feeding times otherwise they dont get a look in with the rainbows in hunt mode. They 'burp' after a while and start swimming normally again but it doesn't take over 30 mins if it is air, try as Ichthys says and sprinkle the food beneath the surface. You could even feed in front of the filter outlet and let the food travel through the tank in the flow so everyone gets a bit

Thanks Captain. Basically he needs winding like a baby? and here is me writing "he's not going to make it" Will keep an eye, and if persists will report back.
Thanks for suggestions all, really appreciate it

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Is he still struggling?

 

[AlexT]

Is he still struggling?

He said "tell Barnicles, thanks for asking". So, he is not looking so awkward now with his head slightly down doing the funky chicken. But he has moved over to the most densely part of the tank and more or less in the same spot, but his posture is more natural now, but he still not right. But he is able to move around quite fast and stick up for himself if another (probably male) tetra comes too close.

However, I thought I could see some redness on his gills, but where he has positioned himself, almost impossible to get a picture of video. I think the red I am seeing is on the inside of the gills, so perhaps he is breathing heavily and in a bit of respiratory distress? But he is making no effort to go above the half way depth of the tank which is good in terms of his oxygen demand. But the angle he was at, it's hard to see. In some ways he is better with his buoyancy.

If he needed some time out in a small QT I can do that, but I don't think I would be able to net him based on how fast I can see he can still move. This set up is a jungle right now, it could take an hour and cause havoc if I tried to grab him, sadly he'd have to be a bit weaker for that.

I'm not feeding the tank tonight, they have been well fed just last few days, possibly too well fed.

Hopefully he just has a bad case of the sh*ts or indigestion as we have speculated.

 

[Colin_T]

Do not move him into another tank. You will mess up the current territories and there will be problems when he is put back in the tank.

If the fish does have an internal problem and you lift it out of water, you can injure it more.

 

[AlexT]

This dude has recovered

 

[AlexT]

Thanks Captain @CaptainBarnicles

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

no probs....now scrub the decks you scallywag