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Hey guys, i have a serpe tetra (I think it is a serpe) and he just keeps swimming up all day long..

It seems if he stoped, he would sink to the bottom.

He has been doing this for months now, and is in good health (eats, and everything)

He doesnt have problems keeping balance or anything, he is just constantly swimming up.

What do you think this can be? I felt sorry for the little guy, and i am thinking of puttig him in the breeder net.. it would be easier for him.

Do you have any other serpae (or whatever) tetras in the tank? If not, then yours is probably lonely. That's the only thing I can think of. Most tetras should be kept in schools of at least six, because they are schooling fish. Otherwise, they will be stressed, and may act unusually.

Plus, I don't see how a breeding net would help. If the fish is swimming without any trouble, how would placing the fish in a small, enclosed area assist it?

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

when you say up, im assumeing you mean head alot higher then his tail but doesnt really gain any hight. ive seen this on some fish with clamped fins. have a good look at the fins on his side and see if they are tucked up against his body or he is trying to use them and they are clumped up.

theres like 30 other serpe tetras in the tank.

Also, it is swimming with its head up, but it is just swimming up, kinda like it is swimming up a current.

I have had several different fish, and several different kinds of fish, who have done this. You said he has been doing it for months, which leads me to beleieve he's not really sick. What you should watch for is when he starts swimming up, does he start flipping over backwards? That's when you're in trouble.
Hope this helps at least a little.
Babe

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vict, you post in hospital type threads so much I was sure you'd know the drill by now. please give us some more info, without tank parameters we can't do anything except guess.

I didnt think i would need ammo crap if ONE fish was doing it.

Like like i say in every thread, everything if fine, and the water quality is 100%

Also, the fish ALWAYS swims up, it doesnt stop doing it.


And, when i turn the tank lights on on my 20 gallon tank, my neons will start going in circles, but they are fine.

Vict, if you don't own an ammonia or nitrite test kit (as you have mentioned before), how can you be so sure that your water quality is up to snuff? Your fish could be swimming in poison for all you know. How often do you do water changes, and how much water do you remove? Do you vacuum the gravel? And, is there a lot of leftover food after each feeding?

I'm not trying to belittle you here, I'm trying to get across the importance of a test kit, and proper maintenance. There is no substitute for either, both are vital for keeping your tank healthy and clean. I don't use any chemicals in my water (besides a dechlorinator), and my fish are quite happy. If you are doing things right, yours should be too.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I really hope im doing things right, since the fish in teh tank are 15 years old.

I said my water condition is 100 % because i have no ammo or nitrites, and my nitrates are good.

We did a gravel vac last wednesday like we do every other week.

Im not trying to be rude, but there is something wrong with the fish, not the water... if it were the water, i honostly dont think the 20 other tetras would be normal.

If your water parameters are in fact perfect, what's the harm in posting them up for all of us to see and congratulate you on your fantastic fishkeeping?

Like I said in my last post, any information we give you without further knowledge about your tank will be guessing. It's up to you, but if you want my help I will need some cooperation. It's nothing against you specifically, any member posting in this forum regarding sick fish is asked for the same info.

*shrug*

My I have been doing a lot of shrugging lately

then what do u need to know?

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just answer the questions outlined in that post, please

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite (note the “I&#8221: 0
Nitrate (note the “A): 5
pH: 7
Temp: 77

If you do not have one or more of these, please take a bag of water to the fish store and ask them to test it for you. Most will do this for free. If not, try another store. Make sure you write them down so we can review the numbers with you.

Tank Information

Tank Size (gallons and dimensions if known (20 gal long versus regular 20 or 20 gal high): 55g
Stock List (Quantity/Species):

5 clown loaches
1 common pleco
1 gourami
??# serpe tetras
??# WCMM
Fish size for larger fish (a 5 inch angel or a 9 inch oscar has a different effect on water parameters than a half-dollar size angle or a 3 inch oscar). 12" common pleco 2 8" clown loaches
Filtration (ex: Penguin 330, Whisper 40, Fluval 204, etc). Emp 400

anyone?