Otto Help Needed!

[jordan1231]

I woke up this morning to find one of my otto's (about 1 year old) laying on the gravel. It was still breathing but not moving so I put my net in there and it swam away but went back to laying on the gravel. I went back in to check on him later and he is swimming now but kind of in a jerky fashion. Has anyone ever observed this I would like to put him out of his misery if he is suffering but I don't want to be too hasty before I know what is going on. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks

 

[Neal]

I'm not sure what could be going on, but seeing as though you have no replies i'll post. It could be lack of aeration, or he could just be shocked by something. What size tank is he is, what tankmates does he have and what are your water stats? To be honest, if he isn't showing any other signs then I don't think he is that bad.

Neal

 

[WILDER]

Water stats would be good like neal has asked for.
Is the fish bloated and laying to one side on the substrate.
Is the tail bending.

 

[jordan1231]

Water stats would be good like neal has asked for.
Is the fish bloated and laying to one side on the substrate.
Is the tail bending.

Unfortunately he/she just died. He was in a 10 gallon with another otto (tank mate from store) and 2 female guppies and 1 male guppy. My Ph is 7.4 and ammonia is 0. All my other fish are fine and normal. Could it possibly be from a new plant that just sprouted in the tank. Yes, it was lying on it's side but it wasn't bloated at all. The other otto seems upset. It wouldn't leave it's side. Does anyone know if they need other otto company. Should I get another for him??? Thanks

 

[WILDER]

Or bless him its sad isn't it when a fish won't leave there side, makes it worse.
I would leave it a few weeks just to make sure everything ok with the tank.
Laying to oneside can be parasite to bacterial, they can darken in colour with a bacterial infection.
Did you notice what it looked like when he went to the toilet.
My plec died laying to one side but he had a bent tail as well, it was bacterial, I did treat the tank but to no avail.

 

[jordan1231]

Or bless him its sad isn't it when a fish won't leave there side, makes it worse.
I would leave it a few weeks just to make sure everything ok with the tank.
Laying to oneside can be parasite to bacterial, they can darken in colour with a bacterial infection.
Did you notice what it looked like when he went to the toilet.
My plec died laying to one side but he had a bent tail as well, it was bacterial, I did treat the tank but to no avail.

Ok I will wait. You know I looked at it real closely before I flushed him but it looked perfectly normal. I have looked at all the other Otto cat questions in the forum but he didn't have anything different about him. No marks or anything so I don't know. Do you think I should treat the tank for infection just in case?? ALso one of my female guppies just gave birth about 1 hour ago ( I know it's weird to have 1 die and more born on the same day) and the fry (5) are in a breeders pen in the tank. Will the medicine hurt the babies?
Thanks

 

[WILDER]

I wouldn't medicate if the other fish are fine.
You could do a few daily water changes.