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  L# Unable to Swim/Dying Bolivian
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SubscribeUnable to Swim/Dying Bolivian
FLEXJr
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Hobbyist
Posts: 61
Kudos: 32
Votes: 1
Registered: 26-Feb-2006
male canada
I noticed just yesterday that my male Bolivian Ram was not swimming as much and occasionally "bobbing" on the substrate.

This morning when i woke up he was not looking good, but i had to go to work, and i was already late. So i come home and notice he can now no longer swim at all. When he tries to swim, it looks like an Airplane falling to the ground missing one wing.

The tank is 29G. The other fish are:

Powder Blue Gourami
5 Red Phantom Tetras
1 Female Bolivian
and some ottos.

Parameters:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 20-30

(yes, i have just changed about 30% of the tank, so the nitrates will be lower, that was the count before the water change)

The tank is lightly planted and the temperature of the tank is 79.

Ever since i got the Bolivian, he was always a little territorial, but mostly only towards the female. Now that he is unable to swim, the Female Bolivian is "guarding" him and will not let any other fish near him and has even chased away the Gourami. Also, every so often, the female will kind of "kiss" the male Bolivian.

As for how the actual fish is; It appears that its Dorsal Fin is crooked or bent, and the fish twirls in a counter clockwise rotation when trying to swim. His eyes are also swollen, but i think this is because of hitting the side of the tank when trying to swim? He was generally a really YELLOW bolivian, but now it seems he is almost ALL purple, kind of like the female. I tried to feed him but he wouldnt take the food.

Any ideas, suggestions? Or if this has happened to someone before that would be great! The only thing i could think of is possibly the Gourami attacked the Bolivian, but the gourami is never territorial and never bothers other fish. He's even hand fed a lot of the time.

Thanks in advance
Post InfoPosted 10-Sep-2006 22:51Profile PM Edit Report 
longhairedgit
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Fish Guru
Lord of the Beasts
Posts: 2502
Kudos: 1778
Votes: 29
Registered: 21-Aug-2005
male uk
It could be "whirling disease" caused by a protozoan infection, or even a stroke caused by stress or injury. Im afraid in either case the prognosis is not at all good.If hes still feeding theres a chance you can treat him for parasites with jungle labs antiparasite formula , but once protozoans have infected the nervous system or brain there is usually little chance of recovery. Personally id be tempted to quarantine him away from other fish. In his condition, the females attempts to stimulate him, be it a "kiss" or as is more likely a bite, will not help.
Post InfoPosted 12-Sep-2006 15:42Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
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