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Please help.. I have a tiger that is swimming crazy.. fast.. all the time.. with whole body wiggles instead of just fins.. his tummy touches the gravel when he isn't swimming hard, he appears to sink. He is from a fully established 30 gallon with 5 other tigers and four gouramies... He is now in a ten gallon of his own with similiar set up -- temp 78, pH 8, no ammonia or nitrates, UGF, some aquatic decorations,, apple snails... Please help if you have ANY ideas,, I had treated the tank with 1 tsp of salt per gallon but have now done a water change in both tanks so that is pretty much gone. I have treated with Melafix today.... Thank You

Hey MRSQ - Welcome to Fishprofiles.com

Thanks for posting your parameters and environmental data. I wasn't sure if the parameter readings are from the smaller tank or the main tank. If you have a nitrite tester, check that as well. More than likley if it was environmental, others would be affected, but sometimes there is one fish that is like a canary in the mine - somewhat more sensitive.

How long have you had this fish? How long has the behavior been taking place?

Do you see any pineconing of the scales when you look at him from the side. They could be sticking up just a bit.

How is his breathing?

Its hard on a tiger barb, but check the base of the pectoral fins and the belly for any unusual red pin points or streaks. Compare to your other tigers if needed.

It is wise that you quarantined him. It could be anything from a bacterial infection to parasites or sporozoans.

I have seen at the end stage of hemorrhagic septicemia - sometimes just before or as dropsy is setting in, that the fish will have a hard time swimming straight. They almost run wild with corkscrew like swimming. This is due, possibly to infection reaching the central nervous system, much like meningitis or encephalitis would affect us - dizzy, lethargic and incoherent. In the times that I have seen it, death is usually hours away.

What kind of gouramis are there in the main tank and how big are they?

Post back with answers to the above.

Also, the tank he is in has snails in addition to him?

Diane

Last edited by Cory_Di at 26-Jan-2005 21:05