Strange Fish Behavior

[Mizhunt24]

I have 5 tiger barbs In a 10 gallon tank. For the last 3 days ONLY ONE of the barbs has been hiding down by a rock and has little movement. When I look at the fish I can see It breathing normally and physically I do not see anything wrong with the fish. There's no sores or cuts or any sign of disease however I am a beginner and may be mistaking. Once In awhile It will float on its side for a sec and almost seems like it looses its balance. Im a little lost and do not know what to do. If anyone can help me as to what could be causeing such strange behavior please tell me. The other four tiger barbs are so playful and happy I dont understand what is wrong with this one. Any advice or help would be great!

 

[WILDER]

Right tiger barbs are active fish and need to be in a much larger tank, no less than 20gal to be honest,.
We need to look at your stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph.
Also what do you feed the fish as it sounds like swimbladder.

 

[Mizhunt24]

I plan on getting a bigger tank. As for the food I feed them. I give them Wardley Essentials Tropical premium flakes. Is this bad for the Tiger Barbs? Also, when I get the bigger tank which will be very soon. How long should I let It run before moving my fish to thier new home? Also, as for the swim bladder how do I treat that? Thanks

 

[WILDER]

Right bad diet, fish need a varied diet to be healthy.
Cook some frozen peas for a few minutes in boiling water, let cool down, pop out of shell, squeeze between fingers till mussy, then add to the tank.
You will have to get them on some frozen foods and veg in there diet.
Also frozen daphnia as it very good at digesting the fish food.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Swimbladder problems can be caused by constipation, injury or bacterial infection (can also be the last stage in a number of other diseases). I would do as Wilder suggests and treat first for constipation (=the peas). If that doesn't work within a day or two, I would try an antibacterial medication.

 

[Mizhunt24]

Ok, I gave my fish the peas...they loved em! All the fish ate the peas except for the one fish that we think has swim bladder. If the fish did eat the peas I did not see it eat. The fish finally came out from the rock and was moving a little bit but still very little movement. It just moved to another spot. What would be best treatment for the bacteria? I read online that a antibotic's would be the best.

 

[WILDER]

Yes antibiotics are the best, but if you can't issolate the sick fish and have to use in the main tank, they will wipe most of your bacteria colony out in the filter.

 

[Mizhunt24]

ok so since I cant isolate It basicly what will happen Is If I treat with antibiotics I will just wipe out the bacteria colony and basicly will have to start over with the cycling? Is this what u mean? If It Is I would basicly go In circles and pretty much be starting over and be back to square one....sheesh! what to do!! Ok If I misunderstood please explain to me..Im not to sure what u mean.

 

[WILDER]

Yes your'e right you will be in a mini cycle, thats why its so important to have a hospital tank, then you are not putting the whole tank at risk.
Maracyn is not meant to wipe the bacteria colony out.

 

[Mizhunt24]

Yah I saw Maracyn online. Should I treat tank with that?

P.s.

If I get a hospital tank I will need to have a smaller fully equip tank. Heater, Air,filter etc... That can get expensive unfortunately funds are low right now. That why I have not got a hospital tank.

 

[WILDER]

I would get both maraxyn one and two, dosn't say though it treats swim bladder, but it says it treats dropsy on maracyn two.
Once swim bladder has progressed though there is no cure.

 

[Kairi]

Quisha- I have a one gallon hospital tank. I don't have a heater for it, I regulate the temp w/ a heating pad (weird, but it works)... the filter is a small world heater, it's a sponge and it gives up a few bubbles at the top (airation and filtration). I have a small plant if they want to hide and a little bit of gravel. I think the whole thing cost around $35 (the filter is initally a little expensive as it comes w/ an airpump and two filter cartridges, but if you have a small airpump- 1 or 2 gallons- it's only like $6 for the cartridges and holder)

 

[Mizhunt24]

Ok I got the test kit. Here are my levels.
pH 7.6
Ammonia 2.0
Nitrite 0.50
Nitrate 20
The Instructions said levels can increase because of it being a fairly new tank. Also, I went to the store and got maracyn-two. I did not see your reply before i had left to the pet store. I will go back and get maracyn one ASAP. Good news as well. The one fish that is sick Is actually moving around more. Still not eating but starting to swim a lil more. Thanks for the help everyone! Also, how long does it take for a tank to finish cycling usually?

 

[Kairi]

you need to do quite a few water changes to bring that ammonia down! that could be a HUGE part of any problem. ammonia should *never* get above .25ppm when fish are in the tank.

 

[Mizhunt24]

Ok bad news now!! The one fish that was sick has died. Now that the sickly one Is dead do i continue to treat the tank with the maracyn?? Need a answer ASAP.