Is this a swim bladder issue?

759 Views 6 Replies 3 Participants Last post by DanniGirl, Mar 18, 2011

Benaiah

Discussion Starter · Mar 17, 2011

I have a new addition to my tank - a male, 6" paratilipia polleni. I've observed him resting on the sand upright most of the time. He'll swim around and then gently coast down to the sand where he'll "sit" for a few minutes. Then, he'll repeat this pattern. He's not listing to the side or upside down. He's breathing normally and has full color. He doesn't appear stressed and will take food. His swimming appears normal (no rocketing up or down).

Tank info:
-well established all male hap/peacock 125 gallon (0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, ~10 nitrate)
-approx. 25 other fish, all haps and peacocks

The polleni was added to this tank about 48 hours ago with three other fish, which are fine. I suspect shipping may have traumatized his swim bladder. What do you think? How should I treat?

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DanniGirl

· #2 · Mar 17, 2011

Has he been like this since he arrived?
Was he placed in a holding tank prior to introduction to the community tank? If at all possible, remove him into a quarantine tank so as to reduce stress on the fish.

Sounds like he cannot maintain his equilibrium. When he swims, does he swim nose down? It's possible that it may be a swim bladder issue, especially depending on the sedative used on the fish prior to shipping. Due to the sedative and the lack of o2 when he arrived, this could be a side effect. -If it is, it should clear up within a few days. If you want, you can treat with melafix and salt and keep the tank dark.

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Benaiah

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 17, 2011

Hmm, I didn't think about a sedative. Yes, he's been like this since he arrived. I didn't put him in a holding tank - he went directly into the main tank after acclimatization.

When he swims, he swims normally. His nose stays horizontal and he doesn't make any jerky movements. He just glides down to the bottom and sits there.

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triscuit

· #4 · Mar 17, 2011

No- I don't think this is a swim bladder issue. But trauma from shipping is likely. It'd be a really good idea to get him into a quarantine tank before he either spreads disease or gets mauled.

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DanniGirl

· #5 · Mar 17, 2011

Benaiah said:
When he swims, he swims normally. His nose stays horizontal and he doesn't make any jerky movements. He just glides down to the bottom and sits there.

Hmmm....yes, not a swim bladder issue. If his swim bladder was effected, you would see him swimming nose down, etc....

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Benaiah

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 17, 2011

You all are right on! Came home tonight to find the polleni swimming normally. He's no longer resting on the bottom and swims fine. He's one of the largest fish in the tank, so the others are leaving him alone. I'll still watch him closely though.

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DanniGirl

· #7 · Mar 18, 2011

Glad to hear it! :thumb:

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