Odd Behaviour

[tenohfive]

I added some praecox rainbows to my 65L (setup in April/May) community tank. I admit I didn't quarantine them - my quarantine tank is too small for 6 rainbows - and I was buying from a shop I've had no problems with in the past (Wildwoods near Enfield.)

This was about a week or two ago. They've settled in fine and shoal with my pearl danio's.

I've just noticed two things though:

One of the smaller praecox was wallowing around on its side/upside down - I netted it and left it for 5 minutes and it was fine. I released it and so far no probs.
I also noticed one of the danio's has had one of its fins ripped up and has scale damage.

I'm about to go to work but tested ammonia and nitrite - nothing. Any other test's I'll have to do when I get home. I've stuck some melafix in there (on the theory it can't do any harm and will hopefully help the danio recover) and I'm thinking of moving the danio to another tank when I get home.

Any ideas on either count? I'm sure the danio is just battle damage, when I get the chance I'll do some closer observations.

 

[tenohfive]

Anyone?

 

[WILDER]

Once a fish is upside down not good news.
Does the fish look bloated.
Can the fish maintain its balance in the water.
Missing scales can be fighting, damage itself on something in the tank, parasites, bacterial.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing against objects in the tank.

 

[tenohfive]

No flicking by any. One of the praecox (probably the same one) spent alot of time at the surface last night and this morning.

I'll go and check now, I covered the tank over before I went out to calm them down (on the assumption something was having a pop at the danio) and will uncover in a few mins.

Preacox is dead. Danio is as it was.

Forgot to mention - no obvious marks or signs on the body. I can take a photo if its likely to help ID cause of death.

 

[WILDER]

Ok if there no flicking and rubbing dosn't sound like a parasite involved.
Do you have any sharp ornaments in the tank that the fish has caught his scales on.
Noticed any fighting in the tank.
http/www.flippersandfins.net/SwimbladderDisease.htm

 

[tenohfive]

No ornaments, just bogwood which is possible but unlikely - the danio's tend to stay in the open area. I saw some fighting between one of my danio's and the praecox last week, just looked like squabbling - nothing major.

I'll move the danio's into a different tank and do a big water change (followed by reduced feeding) on the main community tank and see how I get on. Cheers Wilder.

 

[WILDER]

If your bogwood has sharp points to it I would sand paper them down, rinse the bogwood then leave to dry out.