Sick Kribensis?

[saratogaslim]

Hi everyone, wanted to see if I could get some help with my little female Kribensis. She has always been the picture of health, very colorful and active, and rules the tank! Today, I came home and she has turned a dark gray (almost the color of her stripe), her belly is more purple than usual and she is very lethargic, hiding in one of her caves or the smaller cover plants.

She *was* interested in an algae wafer I put in her cave for her and ate some, but not interested enough to come out. I recently had a Tiger Barb die of what appeared to be an injury (hit a rock??)...the only death I've ever had in my tank! I wonder if it is related somehow. Krib does have what looks like a small bump/swelling on her mouth, though it doesn't seem to deter her from eating.

For info, it is a 20 gallon long, 3 Barbs (now ) that came with the tank, one 3-spot Gourami who keeps to himself, and my female Krib.

Any advice on what to do for her? Anyone ever seen this, or have any ideas of why she would turn such an odd dark color and act ill? No recent changes other than the Barb dying...and I've never seen them interact.

Tank mates are suddenly interested in her favorite cave, and believe me, *no one* went over there before this...she didn't let them!

Thanks in advance! I'm very fond of her.

 

[kribensis12]

How long has the tank been set up? The barbs may be stressing her out. They are fast, erratic swimmers. Kribensis do not like that one bit. They stress out.

 

[WILDER]

What are your water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

Any signs of flicking and rubbing, excess slime, darting, erratic swimming, laboured breathing.