Hi guys,
My German Blue ram, Rocko, has been acting funny for a few days now. Where as before he swam a few inches above the bottom and was rather zippy, now he only moves along directly upon the substrate, chin up and tail dragging, like he's become unbalanced by an invisible weight tied to his tail. Everywhere he goes a small dust trail follows and it's only the rearward part of his belly and lower tail dragging along the bottom. I've seen him attempt to swim upward twice, becoming nearly vertical in the process, mouth to surface and tail to gravel. He only makes it about 5 inches up and then he sinks back down again. He is looking stressted but otherwise has no other external signs of injury. He still eats (flakes, HBH frog pellets, and bloodworms). I haven't seen him poop recently though that's not uncommon and I only mention it because I noticed his butt looking bright pink briefly but now it's returned to its usual pale color. He's in a 20 Long with a small school of neon tetras, a betta he geets on fine with, and a few dwarf frogs. It's been a year now and he has always been the most hardy of the bunch. Any ideas? I keep getting the impression he's having labored breathing and is somehow trapped at base level. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
My German Blue ram, Rocko, has been acting funny for a few days now. Where as before he swam a few inches above the bottom and was rather zippy, now he only moves along directly upon the substrate, chin up and tail dragging, like he's become unbalanced by an invisible weight tied to his tail. Everywhere he goes a small dust trail follows and it's only the rearward part of his belly and lower tail dragging along the bottom. I've seen him attempt to swim upward twice, becoming nearly vertical in the process, mouth to surface and tail to gravel. He only makes it about 5 inches up and then he sinks back down again. He is looking stressted but otherwise has no other external signs of injury. He still eats (flakes, HBH frog pellets, and bloodworms). I haven't seen him poop recently though that's not uncommon and I only mention it because I noticed his butt looking bright pink briefly but now it's returned to its usual pale color. He's in a 20 Long with a small school of neon tetras, a betta he geets on fine with, and a few dwarf frogs. It's been a year now and he has always been the most hardy of the bunch. Any ideas? I keep getting the impression he's having labored breathing and is somehow trapped at base level. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
