Flicking, But Nothing Is Visible

[Amunet]

In our 28gal tank, I've seen a couple of the cories (3 of them) flicking against the gravel & plants, but there isn't anything on them.
I've looked long and hard, but there is absolutely nothing on them. No funny discoloration, nothing hanging off of them, nothing wrong with their gils, nada, zip.

The other fish, rasboras, betta, ram, hillstream loach and most of the other cories are totally fine. Haven't witnessed any flicking from them at all. It's just these 3 particular cories I've seen flicking against things sometimes.

Stats in the tank is perfect. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites.. not sure on the nitrates since I just did a water change tonight.
I also did a fairly good gravel vac just in case there was alot of uneaten food and such on the bottom, but nope... nothing more than a few things from when I fed them earlier.

So any idea what could be going on?

 

[xxBarneyxx]

I would suggest keeping a close watch on them for the moment, it might be ich but is just not visible yet.

I seem to remember that cory's do actually flash sometimes even if they are ok but I'm not sure if this is actually true (I might be confused).

 

[nurglespuss]

Yes they do, usually to dislodge dead skin.

But your right keep a very close eye on it, mine turned out to be ICH (read post further down). Check it every few hours. I would perform a preventative water change, and give the gravel a vac, just in case.

 

[Amunet]

Oh, so they flick to get dead skin off.. ok.
Well there is nothing on any of the fish so I guess they must've just been doing that. I'll keep an eye on them still though just in case.
Thanks a bunch you 2

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Well I am a firm believer that many fish diseases are only visible once issues have become dire. A lot fo times flicking will foreshadow and be followed by some sort of parasitic disease whitch can be m8uch difficult to treat once you see the signs visible to the naked eye. I'n siomewhat drunk but i can tellk you that that would be true, drunk or not. DSowaqd

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Wow I'm obnoxious. Ok well I still got it, I agree with my drunk self on this one. If you can read the bad english. Sorry about that.

 

[targa66]

My guppies do that. I've never seen any of the other fish in the tank do it (swordtails, various tetras) but I've seen my guppies flick on the gravel, plants, etc. They won't do it for a while, then I'll see one doing it for a bit, then it seems to stop. Only thing that occurred to me - when I've got that stringy sort of algae growing between the plants (I clean it out but it comes back) - it's like the consistency of fine hair. Maybe they don't like it on their skin
Anyway - I have yet to see a parasite, ich or fungus on them, so it's still a mystery.
Sorry - not much help, but I thought I'd comment!
-Shelly

 

[Amunet]

Oh it's good to read that others have fish that seem to flick with nothing visible ever appearing on them.
I haven't noticed the corys flicking again since I posted this, but I'm still keeping an eye on them all.

 

[GRJ]

Oh it's good to read that others have fish that seem to flick with nothing visible ever appearing on them.
I haven't noticed the corys flicking again since I posted this, but I'm still keeping an eye on them all.

My platys do it too and i have no signs of stress or disease. I asked at my lfs and they said its a 'mating' thing. They do it for a while, then they do nt do it and then start doing it again. They are doing it now again. It freaked me out at first but just keep an eye on them now and inspect them on a daily basis. HTH. GRJ

 

[Mikaila31]

It could also be velvet which is a lot harder to notice then ich.

 

[corey01]

finally i know other fish do it!!.. ive been worried for ages researching various ilnesses because my male platy and female swordtail both flick randomly every now and then...i couldnt see anything wrong with them and ive been so concerned who knows maybe it is some sort of mating display.. after all he is the only male platy out of 5 females lucky thing

 

[greatfish123]

i had a very similar problem - http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=205588&hl

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

When fish flick and rub themselves against objects it is almost always either;
a. Fish has an external parasite it is trying to itch off
b. There are water quality problems in the tank like ammonia or nitrites, causing the fish discomfort
c. Something like an unwanted chemical has got into the tank, or a rapid change in water quality conditions has taken place (for example, i knew one guy who did a large 80% water change once, which caused his molly do start doing a huge amount of flicking and rubbing- i think it is to do with how the fishes slime coat copes with such things etc) etc.


I have to admit, that i often probably don't quarentine a lot of my newly bought fish for long enough. And every couple of months, my livebearers in particular go through an itching phase, which i have come to the conclusion is from external parasites being introduced to be my tank.
I have actually come up with a cure for this itching/rubbing-only symptom parasite though- "Anti Velvet and Slime" by Interpet treats a lot more than just velvet, it treats a whole range of external parasites on fish, i have found by doing a load of small water changes followed by a treatment of this med always stops the flicking and rubbing in the fish and they seem fine and happy as ever after being treated by this med afterwards .

 

[ShoC]

Wow I'm obnoxious. Ok well I still got it, I agree with my drunk self on this one. If you can read the bad english. Sorry about that.

Your hilarious