Unusual X-Ray Tetra Behavior

[OliC]

Hi all,

Its a little unfortunate that I have to start off my first post to Fish Forums with a cry for help but unfortunately thats the case.

I have what I think is a sick X-Ray Tetra, which since yesterday doesn't seem to be swimming correctly. Whilst the fish remains upright and can swim around normally it seems to 'rock' up and down whilst swimming around the tank, almost as if on a roller coaster! Also when it tries to stay in the same place its movements appears to almost twitch and point slightly upwards towards the top of the tank.

Currently there are no other visible symptoms such as scale lesions or colour changes. This morning I moved it to a separate smaller tank incase it does have some sort of disease which might spread to the other fish. Other than that the fish looks identical to the other 4 in the main tank so I'm at a loss trying to figure out what is wrong with it. It doesn't seem to have affected the behavior or look of any of the other fish in the tank.

I've looked through the list of diseases and symptoms on this forum but it doesn't really seem to match anything.
Could it be a preliminary symptom of swim bladder or something else? My other question is if the fish will be ok on its own? As tetras are a shoaling fish, will it cause the fish more stress by separating it from the main tank? I've given it a couple of plants and a little sheltered area for it to hide but that was about the best I could do other than move all the tetra in there with it.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Tank specs below:

Tank size: 200 litre with Fluval 205 external filter
pH: 7.5
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 30g/l
tank temp: 25 deg

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 20% water changes weekly

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: Biological and mechanical filters only.

Tank inhabitants: 3 Flying fox, 1 Platty, 8 Neon Tetra, 5 Yamoto shrimp, 3 Angels, 1 Gibbiceps, 5 X-Ray Tetra

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): No recent additions in 6 months

Exposure to chemicals: None other than chlorine removal for water changes.

 

[Luzi]

Is the fish still eating and does it stay on the bottom of the tank?
Separating it was the best you could do as ths will stop any other fish from gtting ill. i don't think this will stress you fish too much but i've never kept tetras so i can't be sure.
It sounds like swim bladder but it might be bacterial. I would wait for someone more experienced to turn up before treating.

 

[WILDER]

What test kit are you using?

Does he look bloated or thin.
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet.
Does he dart around the tank.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Is his belly sunken in.
Is his spine bending.
Is the tank temp set at the right temp for these type of fish.
Is his anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Does he turn upside down.
Does he act listless and lethagic.
Does he lean or rest to oneside.
Does he look pale or darker in colour.

 

[OliC]

Is the fish still eating and does it stay on the bottom of the tank?

It's currently still eating and seems happy swimming around the tank. Only extra behavior is that it sort of rocks up and down as it swims around the tank.

What test kit are you using?

Does he look bloated or thin.
What does it look like when he goes to the toilet.
Does he dart around the tank.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Is his belly sunken in.
Is his spine bending.
Is the tank temp set at the right temp for these type of fish.
Is his anus enlarged or red and inflamed.
Does he turn upside down.
Does he act listless and lethagic.
Does he lean or rest to oneside.
Does he look pale or darker in colour.

I'm using a Nutrifin test kit and according to its results the results are within the tolerances noted before.

Looks bloated compared to its tank mates.
No flicking or rubbing.
Belly not sunken
No spine bending.
Temp is 25 deg C which I believe is correct for this fish
No enlarged or red areas on the fish
Not seen it turning upside down as yet but yesterday it was swimming slightly diagonal.
I've not seen colour changes and it looks the same sort of colour as the remaining tetras in the other tank.

No other symptoms as yet....

 

[WILDER]

What do you feed the fish.
Are scales sticking out.

I would try feeding some shelled peas.