Cardinal Tetra Possible Problem

[mattlee]

i bought a group of 10 cardinal tetras about 3 or 4 weeks ago, they have been in quarentine for this time and have not come in contact with any other fish just a few shrimps and snails in the tank. they have been fine but 1 today i noticed not quite swimming truely straight.... hes on a slight angle pointing downwards and swimming a bit more jerky than normal. still feeding and not seperated from the group and no other signs of anything bad.

ammonia = 0
nitrite = 0

should i be concerned?

 

[ian]

i have had a couple of young Cardinal do this Matt, they seem to swim at a 45 degree angle and jerk downward, they also appear to watch the rest of the group. They can also seperate themselves, i have obsereved this and once they get a bit bigger they seem to re-join the group. Its does appear strange though i must admit. I haven't had any die though, i think you'd have lost at least a few by now if there was a problem. Have you lost any?

 

[WILDER]

A a jerky swimming movement can be a sign of a few things like, flukes, internal parasites, etc.
So just need to make sure everything ok. By answering some of the questions.

Do any of the fish look skinny or bloated.
What do the fish gills look like, do they look pale with excess mucas on red and inflamed.
Any signs of darting, erratic swimming, laboured breathing, gasping, flicking and rubbing, excess mucas.
Can the fish maintain balance in the water.

Also feed some shelled peas.

 

[mattlee]

Do any of the fish look skinny or bloated. no nothing that would ring alarm bells
What do the fish gills look like, do they look pale with excess mucas on red and inflamed.fish are very small so hard to see but from what i can see all looks ok
Any signs of darting, erratic swimming, laboured breathing, gasping, flicking and rubbing, excess mucas.no
Can the fish maintain balance in the water.yes, no problems with this

i have had a couple of young Cardinal do this Matt, they seem to swim at a 45 degree angle and jerk downward, they also appear to watch the rest of the group. They can also seperate themselves, i have obsereved this and once they get a bit bigger they seem to re-join the group. Its does appear strange though i must admit. I haven't had any die though, i think you'd have lost at least a few by now if there was a problem. Have you lost any?

the fish seems quite happy its just ive never noticed this before....

no ive not lost any as of yet and ive had them in qt almost a month now, they all seem fine. just a shame they are still small.....

 

[WILDER]

It's sounds ok then.
Just keep a look out for when they go to the toilet.

 

[mattlee]

It's sounds ok then.
Just keep a look out for when they go to the toilet.

will do, thanks

 

[mattlee]

all seems well in the cardinal tank, must have been a one off thing!

 

[WILDER]

Thanks for the update.
That's good news.