Hi,
My female cherry barb is not swimming normally. She has a somewhat labored, shimmying movement, with her head raised. Sometimes she rests on the gravel, and she didn't eat tonight. All other fish in the tank appear normal, and there have been no new additions. I have had her for over two years.
If no response, I think my next step will be to add some Epsom salts in case of constipation or swim bladder problems.
Details on the environment are below. Thanks in advance for your time.
1. What is the size of your tank? 10 gallons
2. What are your water parameters? State the brand of test kit used.
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, pH 6.9 (API liquid kit)
3. Is your aquarium set up freshwater or brackish water? Freshwater
4. How long the aquarium has been set up? About 7 months
5. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them?
6 total cherry barbs (2m, 4f) (oldest 2 years, others offspring of these)
6 pygmy corys (6 months)
4 otocinclus (6 months)
1 pitbull pleco (Parotocinclus jumbo) (2 years)
All are full grown (which is pretty small in all cases).
6. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?
Yes, but long time ago since newest additions.
7. What temperature is the tank water currently? 76 F
8. Are there live plants in the aquarium?
Yes, many, but no new ones.
9. What filter are you using? State brand, maintenance routine and power capacity.
Aquaclear power filter (up to 20 gallons). I rinse the sponge and bio media about every month, and change carbon then.
10. Any other equipment used (aside from heater and filter which are two very important components of the tank)? none
11. Does your aquarium receive natural sunlight at any given part of the day? What is your lighting schedule (assuming you do not rely on sunlight for our viewing pleasure)?
A very little - mostly blocked by background of tank. Lighting is on 12 hours a day for plants.
12. When did you perform your last water change and how much water was changed? How often do you change your water? Do you vacuum the substrate?
Last water change was today; about 50%. I change 30-50% every weekend and usually stir the substrate before and during cleaning.
13. What foods do you provide your fish? What is the feeding schedule?
I feed Omega Sea flakes and veggie rounds as staples, plus freeze-dried foods, various vegetables, and recently live microworms. Generally I offer flakes in the morning and something else at night.
14. What unusual signs have you observed in your fish?
see above
15. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis? If so, what treatments did you use? State your reasons for planning ahead of proper diagnosis.
No. I offered some peas in case of constipation, but she did not eat.
My female cherry barb is not swimming normally. She has a somewhat labored, shimmying movement, with her head raised. Sometimes she rests on the gravel, and she didn't eat tonight. All other fish in the tank appear normal, and there have been no new additions. I have had her for over two years.
If no response, I think my next step will be to add some Epsom salts in case of constipation or swim bladder problems.
Details on the environment are below. Thanks in advance for your time.
1. What is the size of your tank? 10 gallons
2. What are your water parameters? State the brand of test kit used.
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 5, pH 6.9 (API liquid kit)
3. Is your aquarium set up freshwater or brackish water? Freshwater
4. How long the aquarium has been set up? About 7 months
5. What fish do you have? How many are in your tank? How big are they? How long have you had them?
6 total cherry barbs (2m, 4f) (oldest 2 years, others offspring of these)
6 pygmy corys (6 months)
4 otocinclus (6 months)
1 pitbull pleco (Parotocinclus jumbo) (2 years)
All are full grown (which is pretty small in all cases).
6. Were the fish placed under quarantine period (minus the first batch from the point wherein the tank is ready to accommodate the inhabitants)?
Yes, but long time ago since newest additions.
7. What temperature is the tank water currently? 76 F
8. Are there live plants in the aquarium?
Yes, many, but no new ones.
9. What filter are you using? State brand, maintenance routine and power capacity.
Aquaclear power filter (up to 20 gallons). I rinse the sponge and bio media about every month, and change carbon then.
10. Any other equipment used (aside from heater and filter which are two very important components of the tank)? none
11. Does your aquarium receive natural sunlight at any given part of the day? What is your lighting schedule (assuming you do not rely on sunlight for our viewing pleasure)?
A very little - mostly blocked by background of tank. Lighting is on 12 hours a day for plants.
12. When did you perform your last water change and how much water was changed? How often do you change your water? Do you vacuum the substrate?
Last water change was today; about 50%. I change 30-50% every weekend and usually stir the substrate before and during cleaning.
13. What foods do you provide your fish? What is the feeding schedule?
I feed Omega Sea flakes and veggie rounds as staples, plus freeze-dried foods, various vegetables, and recently live microworms. Generally I offer flakes in the morning and something else at night.
14. What unusual signs have you observed in your fish?
see above
15. Have you treated your fish ahead of diagnosis? If so, what treatments did you use? State your reasons for planning ahead of proper diagnosis.
No. I offered some peas in case of constipation, but she did not eat.
