My Tetra Started Freaking Out Again!

[Mikaila31]

One of my rummy nosed tetras had what looked like a panic attack followed by extreme shock. The exact same thing happened a few months ago. Both happened during water changes. This time it was right when I started the sypon. He went ballistic and started flying around the tank and running into stuff. I could barley see him he was going so fast. It only lasted about 5sec. then he got stuck in a bunch of plastic plants. I gently fished him out and it looked like he was hyperventilating. He wouldn't swim and just laid on his side. I put him in a plastic container and added a pinch of salt. Then I continued on with the water change. By the time I was done, about an hour later. He had recovered and was trying to swim through the container and join the rest of the rummies. I let him out and he quickly joined them. This is exactly what happened a few months ago. I do water changes every week. Any ideas what is going on? Why is this happening?

This was shortly before I released him from the container.

 

[WILDER]

He looks very healthy.
I would just put it down to him being spooked by the sypon.

 

[WILDER]

Been reading up on them they are easily scared.
Read it before as I once kept them.
One of mine jumped out of the tank when I was doing a water change.
http/www.guitarfish.org/?s=tetra

 

[Mikaila31]

OK, that good.

Yep I quickly closed the lids right when he start freaking out. Last time he jumped and landed on a dock I have in the tank. The tank was half empty that time.

Is there anything different I should do if it happens a 3rd time?

 

[WILDER]

I'm a nervous wreck with harleqins as they are jumpy when you first get them, many time they have jumped out of the tank.,
I take my time to move things gently out of the tank, just hope they don't get scared or jump out.
How long have you had them as the fish seem to settle down once they know you.

 

[Mikaila31]

There are 9 in total 3 have been in there about a year and 6 for about 6 months. The tank is 55gal and is located in a daycare. They don't seem jumpy when kids are running around the tank and being really loud. They come up to the surface during feeding and will nibble on my hands.

 

[WILDER]

I would just put it down to him getting spooked.
I was getting to the point of being scared of doing a water changes when they kept jumping out, i'm still weary.
I try now to do water changes by not moving fast around the tank, doing things slowly.
I seen alot of post where a fish darts around the tank and bangs into things during water changes.

 

[Mikaila31]

will do

Many Thanks!