Betta Fry Odd Behavior

[SftWrmRain]

Hi guys,

As some of you know, I'm raising my first batch of betta fry. I noticed something last night that seemed a bit unusual. All the fry gathered at the surface of the water, where they stayed all night. They don't seem overly interested in eating, either. The water params are perfect. The only thing I did different yesterday was to wipe off some brown algae that had developed on the sides and bottom of the tank. Afterward, I siphoned all the gunk out and refilled with clean, declorinated water. I siphon uneaten food and junk off the bottom every day in the fry tank.

They're being fed microworms twice a day and I have been changing water about every other day, siphoning out old uneaten food and replacing with clean dechlorinated water. The temp is 81* and humidity is good.

I wondered if they were developing they're labrynth organ, but from all I've read that doesn't happen for another couple weeks (they are 15 days old today). If they are breathing air, this would explain it, but isn't it a bit early?

Just before the surface "conference" they seemed to be moving about the water at a faster pace than usual too. Any idea what is up?

Thank you!

 

[quirkybluedame]

I cannot help you much as I have only successfully bred twice. the first time I was overly cautious and ended up with only one baby surviving he is about 5 months old and healthy now.
The second attempt was better, I treated the water with the native almond leave, before the spawn, have 24 healthy babies almost 9 weeks old. I never observed the behaviour you are seeing, when adult fish do this is because they are stressed.
I was told to do minimal cleaning minimal water change while the babies were such small fry. If you do not introduce the water change slowly and with the least upset of the water. I also was told to keep the tank covered to avoid drafts, until the fry were more developed. I hope the babies are ok, I empathise with you. (((baby fry)))

 

[NinjaPirate]

Mmm, Another thing to watch for is Velvet. Nasty little parasite that is usually the #1 killer of baby fry. Shine a flashlight on them and see if they look like they're covered in rust or gold flakes. If they are they've got velvet, and you need ot treat the tank. Salt is one method, or an anti-parastic like Aquarisol.
It's not uncommon to have perfectly healthy fry for weeks and then suddenly lose them all in a day or two for unknown reasons

 

[SftWrmRain]

Thank you for the responses. The tank is tightly covered to avoid drafts and cool air. I even covered the opening where a power head would be, with saran wrap.

Funny thing, all the babies have now resumed their original behaviors, hanging out in the middle of the tank once again. They stayed at the top - every single one of them, for about 18 hours, and then gradually they all went back to the center and bottom.

I don't think they have any sort of illness, at least that I can see. I was concerned about oxygen content since of course it's the first concern when you see adult fish unusually hanging out at the top, but these fish shouldn't even be able to breathe air yet. :huh:

Thanks again for your input - I'm relieved they are behaving "normally" again, although I'm still a bit concerned over it. Like you said, they can be fine today and not tomorrow. If they died, not knowing why would be the worst, to me. I've babied these babies more than I did my own KIDS so they BETTER make it!

Oh, I meant to say too that I have been keeping 3-4 teaspoons of aquarium salt in their tank at all times. Is it good/bad as a preventative?

 

[NinjaPirate]

It's probably not necissary, but it will prevent them from catching parasites. I don't use salt in my fry tanks, so I can't say if it'll be bad for them in the long run or not.