Harvey's going mad

[BettaMomma]

So - last night i added a beautiful background to Harvey's tank, and I decided to start him on a round of tetracycline for his fins.

After I put him back into the tank, he started flaring at the background like MAD, constantly and he is doing this weird thing where he flares and flares, then he goes up to the top of the tank and flips over sideways - like he's shamu trying to splash several fans in the crowd....

Any thoughts on this?
Is it just the new background?
might it be the tetracycline? I've not used it before - does it make them hyperactive??

I also started Archie on the tetracyc. last night, and both of them were trying to eat the little piece of tablet as it dissolved. Does that matter??

By the way - Archie is acting fine with the tetracycline.

 

[SRC]

He could just be catching a gilimpse of himself in a reflection off the background...but I had to sort out what backgrounds worked with which fish of mine...some backgrounds antagonized some of my guys..especially ones with bright colored flowers....I guess they saw them as other fish lol.

 

[vanvran]

I added Marycn to my betta's tank (liquid) and he swam right into it, the little dummy. But no reaction was seen from adding it, and I added it 3x per instructions.

My betta did a lot of exploring and flaring when I added a castle w/plants to his tank. He loves it, and sleeps over it now, and flares less.

Don't know about the swimming sideways, that might cause me some concern.

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah, there is some red coral looking things on that background - maybe I'll have to flip it over to the boring old blue background.

As far as him flipping over - I think he's doing it because he's ultra pissed off at whoever it is that's suddenly looking at him 24/7 - probably in relation to the background.

I'll try flipping it over tonight.

 

[BettaMomma]

Wow - I got home tonight and although he's still flipping out, he's now toned it down to just full-on open-mouthed attacking his reflection on the side of his tank - not the back where the background piece is.

Then, I started looking around and I saw the hugest bubble nest I've ever seen from one of my bettas. And it wasn't there this morning.

ODD.
Maybe... just maybe... with this tetracycline he's feeling better than he has, ever before so he's all amped up - flaring and wanting to fight.

Maybe...

 

[BettaMomma]

ODD - As I mentioned, I gave Archie a dose of tetracycline the other day too.

This morning, I noticed that HE too has a huge bubble nest. First one I've EVER seen him make.

Is tetracycline some sort of... hmm....
something that might be the equivalent of beer in humans? LOL
My boys seem to be happier and spunkier than ever on the stuff...

Oh, and it's working MIRACLES for Harv's tail.

 

[fancyfish]

ODD - As I mentioned, I gave Archie a dose of tetracycline the other day too.

This morning, I noticed that HE too has a huge bubble nest. First one I've EVER seen him make.

Is tetracycline some sort of... hmm....
something that might be the equivalent of beer in humans? LOL
My boys seem to be happier and spunkier than ever on the stuff...

Oh, and it's working MIRACLES for Harv's tail.

Sounds like he is feeling better ; pls. be sure to finish the entire course of medicine. You probably know that already; but in case someone else reads the thread I am adding the tip because it is important to finish the course and not stop early. Generally the only time it would be appropriate to stop a medicine early is if the medicine is causing serious adverse affects. JMO.

Little guy sounds like he is feeling frisky and happier. Good work.

 

[BettaMomma]

Yeah, I think he's feeling OVERLY great.
Last night I took off the background so he's back to the ugly cords hanging down and such... and he was STILL doing the whole fighting his own reflection thing. He reminded me of the kissing gouramis who face each other mouth open and just fight fight fight!

I think he's just completely nuts.
I will keep giving him the meds until the entire dosage has been given to him, but I have one question... The tablets don't dissolve all the way, like they crumble apart and lots of the crumblies are still laying in his tank. Does that matter? I've still been tossing the new tablet pieces in.

 

[SRC]

I crush mine with a spoon, then let them disolve in a bathroom cup, full of tank water, then pour it in the tank and swirl it around...myself.

 

[BettaMomma]

Does that matter for dissolving purposes?
Is it supposed to dissolve slowly and release the meds into the water, or does it even matter?

 

[cation]

It's always better to dissolve the meds before they go in the tank. I don't think you hurt anyone doing it the way you did, but it's always good to get into the habit of mixing your meds in a small amount of tank water, then adding them in.

 

[BettaMomma]

Good to know.
I will start doing it that way in the future.
Thanks!