new Black Phantom listing

[Briarmoor]

I bought 6 Black Phantom Tetras today at my LFS. Never had sick fish from them.

One female phantom is listing in the tank. She will swim and act pretty normal, but bumps into things like she can't control where she is going. Also gets pulled away in the current. Her belly is bigger than the others. Could her swim bladder be affected? What else?

I think she may be the one that freaked more about being netted and bagged. I can call the LFS in the morning, but meantime, can I do anything for her? She didn't eat that I saw tonight and the others did. They are acting fine. The water parameters are okay. Zero nitrites and zero ammonia. LFS pH is kinda high like mine, so don't think that is it.

P.

 

[tttnjfttt]

It does sound like a swim bladder issue. If possible, isolate the fish incase it is something else. Leave the tank in a dark area or cover it with a blanket to help releave stress. Some salt might also help, I've seen it really help when my fish are acting a little off color.

For now, I'd really just keep an eye on him and try to let him take it easy.

 

[Briarmoor]

I will isolate the fish and try a bit of salt, like a bath or keep it in salt?

I think it could be the swim bladder as the fish's eyes look a bit buggy (not real bad). She gets better sometimes and swims down to the others. At least she is still alive but I haven't seen her eat. I don't know how long she can go like that.

Is there anything I can do about a swim bladder problem? My brother in law kept fish for years and once poked a bloated swim bladder with a needle and the fish got better and lived for several years. I am chicken to do this plus I'd need to make sure that was the problem and that would help it.

Are there any other problems that could resemble this that are not swim bladders issues?

I am also mad at the LFS because they said there was nothing to do for it, didn't offer any help or give me any ideas. I pay more for fish there just for this kind of thing, help when I need it. I dropped $45 there and the guy gives me 15 seconds of time on the phone. If he had a customer, he could have said so and that he'd call me back. It was like he didn't want to deal with a problem. Two other people there have been very helpful, so maybe this guy is just the one rude one.

Thanks for any help. I'd like to save this fish. I just don't know what is wrong or what to do for her. I will try the salt.

P.

 

[Briarmoor]

p.s. she seems to be pooping more than the others too. It is lighter colored poop in a string, looks normal otherwise.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, with those other two symptoms you said, I'm thinking there is more to this than just stress from being caugt, bagged, and moved. Plus, with how you talked about a the LFS, I thought stress was a good possible first guess (because it isn't from walmart).

Current list of all symptoms: Difficulty controlling where she is swimming, eyes bulging a little bit, pale stringy poop, and not eating.

I think your fish has an internal bacterial infection. All of the above symptoms can indicate an infection. Go ahead and treat with an internal antibacterial med. I add salt to my water when my fish are sick, 1 tablespoon for 5 gallons. I have heard mixed things about tetras beign able to handle salt, so if you add it, do so slowly to aclimate the fish.

Good Luck! Sorry about the crummy customer service, there was no need for that

 

[Briarmoor]

I agree, it may be a bacterial infection. I noticed another fish doing the gulping thing. I caught both of them (no easy feat in a 55g with lots of plants and decorations!) and they are getting a salt bath. I used 1/8 tsp in a cup of water. They don't seem stressed by it, in fact they seem calmer. Could just the salt help? Do it once a day?

I don't have any antibiotics here that I know are safe for fish. I have dog cephalexin, 250mg, I think, but don't know what fish disease this would treat. I know an antibiotic is the same regardless of species, but I don't have a big enough place to keep them to medicate with that much. I could treat the whole 55g but it would affect the pleco too. Kind of waiting to see how they do with the salt before throwing meds in the tank. That is my last resort and I want to avoid it if possible. Could I treat them with a "bath" of antibiotics in a bucket instead a few times a day?

Bad thing is I know they had whatever they had they had when they got here. The fish the was gulping started doing it as soon as they got in my tank. Probably just needed the stress to bring it on.

On the bright side, the other 4 are swimming around more and coming to the front of the tank and eating. Less scared than when they arrived. Getting relaxed will help them ward off disease.

P.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I don't know so much about the antibiotics "bath" but if the fish are eating, you can get them medicated food. Just a thought.

Be careful about waiting, especially if you have another fish starting to show the same symptoms.

 

[Briarmoor]

I don't know so much about the antibiotics "bath" but if the fish are eating, you can get them medicated food. Just a thought.

I am keeping a close eye on them. If more get sick I may have to medicate the tank. The sick one is not eating, so med foods won't work for her.

Maybe I can find out more about an antibiotic bath, but I haven't heard people talk about such a thing, so likely it won't work because she wouldn't be exposed long enough.

P.