Fish Rubbing

[baker360360]

I've seen 2 of my guppies rubbing against stuff, the first last week was rubbing against a leaf and the other today was rubbing on the sand. I have a lot of different fish and none are doing this to my knowlage. Only 2 guppies have done this so far. I've had a quick look on the net and one of the possibilitys is ICK but no sign of white spots or colour loss No ammonia or nitrite present.

Some new fish went in Saturday from a lfs that I have never used before but he has been there a long time with a good reputation. And these new fish aren't rubbing.

Also when I get new fish none of the water goes in my tank.

Any ideas what's going on? Do you think the fish may just wanted a scratch?

 

[BerryAttack]

the fish are itchy, could be salt in the tank. sometimes my fish will do that, but it is in once in a blue moon when it happens.
not good to have 0 ammonia... is your tank not cycled?

 

[Ninjouzata]

the fish are itchy, could be salt in the tank. sometimes my fish will do that, but it is in once in a blue moon when it happens.
not good to have 0 ammonia... is your tank not cycled?

Ammonia should always be at 0, as well as nitrite. Are you perhaps referring to nitrate?
 
OP, I believe I've read some people say that sometimes the fish just do want a scratch, not sure myself..keep an eye on them.

 

[tmoney7]

One of my corys has done that before but it was a quick jolt against something and he would do that repeatedly, but he only did it for one day so i think it was just something stuck to him and he wanted to get it off.

 

[baker360360]

I thinks it's nothing, just wanted to make sure as I don't want a load of sick/dead fish

 

[snazy]

Corys do that when they get something stuck in their gills, since they sift through the substrate. But it isn't normal for guppies. Ich is not always visible and can attack the gills first for example killing the fish before the disease progresses. When the outbreak is advanced then fish get covered in spots.
However, fish can flick/scratch for other reasons like trace ammonia levels or some sort of toxin in the water. As a precaution a largish water change might be a good idea. The other option is your fish have a parasitic infection of some sort, not necessarily ich so keep an eye as treatment maybe in order.

 

[baker360360]

Corys do that when they get something stuck in their gills, since they sift through the substrate. But it isn't normal for guppies. Ich is not always visible and can attack the gills first for example killing the fish before the disease progresses. When the outbreak is advanced then fish get covered in spots.
However, fish can flick/scratch for other reasons like trace ammonia levels or some sort of toxin in the water. As a precaution a largish water change might be a good idea. The other option is your fish have a parasitic infection of some sort, not necessarily ich so keep an eye as treatment maybe in order.

I just done a 30% water change before reading this any way, I think it was one off thing but will be keeping a close eye on them. When trying to look at the gills what signs should I look for? As I have multiples of each fish should I always compare?

 

[snazy]

I think it can't be seen plain eye but if the gills are attacked by something the fish can have laboured breathing. And of course, it doesn't mean your fish tried to scratch their gills. It's hard to see which part is annoying them and It could be anywhere on the body or internal parasites.

 

[baker360360]

Now I've seen 1 of my 9 neons rubbing on a rock today and the guppy rubbing on sand again

 

[snazy]

Are there any other symptoms besides that? Do they do that every day or once in a few days? If you've ruled out water quality problem, then look into the possibility of them having some parasites. Is it possible any other toxins reaching the water? If they are sick you should soon see secondary signs.

 

[baker360360]

It started after getting new fish however new fish don't do it.
No I don't see it every day today is the first time since I started this thread. I saw one guppies brushing on the sand and a neon rubbing on a stone. No other signs that I can see

 

[snazy]

That's like once in 5 days. I don't know it all,  but if your fish are getting sick they'd be scraping themselves/flicking non-stop by now. Something is irritating them though, something from the tap water or something in or something getting into the tank from the air(is anyone using air fresheners, deodorants nearby, etc..) I don't know really. You'll have to evaluate and see what happens.

 

[baker360360]

I got another post going on here about my water looking cloudy, when looking close it was like millions of tiny white specs and small strands like cotton fibres floating in the water. I installed a 2000l/h with uv steriliser external filter yesterday along with my existing juwel bio flo 3.0 the water is crystal clear now so any thing in the water shouldn't bug the fish from now on. Unless I get an ammonia spike or something invades like parasites.

 

[draxis]

Can also be the pre-sign of ICH.  Did you add anything recently?

 

[baker360360]

Nothing apart from the fish