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View Full Version : Cardinal Tetra w/ swimming issues?!?!?



VivaLaVics
05-06-2009, 2:51 PM
This post has a lot of information as I know the questions I would ask if someone else were to post this... Please read through and help me figure out how to solve the issue.

I have a cardinal tetra that is swimming head-down/tail-up. I just noticed it today and he isn't swimming any other way. He keeps swimming down, unlike his fellow tetras. He also looks very bloated.

Here is a video of odd swimming:
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Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDiCwrnJcBA

He is in a school of 10 tetras. (5 Cardinals, 5 Orange?) With 2 German Blue Rams & 2 Albino Bristle Nose Plecos. I know the tank is over stocked at the moment. The cardinals and 1 ABNP are planned to move to another planted tank this weekend after cycling is complete.

I add ferts and trace to the tank on the EI schedule. I started this about 1 week ago. There is no CO2 in the planted tank, and it's set up with various plants (Java moss, Ludwig, Wystiria and a pink plant?), tiny substrate, smooth river rocks for decor and a large piece of bog wood.

The tetras have been in the tank with the other inhabitants for 2+ months now.

Levels tested w/ liquid API kits are: 0 Ammonia, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 5, Ph 7.4 (All I have is an API high-range Ph kit for the Cichlids so it could be lower as 7.4 is the lowest this particular Ph kit recognizes... I have yet to purchase another kit for the planted tanks.)

Please let me know what you think may be causing this and what action I could take to correct the issue or prevent spread if contagious to his tankmates.

Thank you!!!

:1zhelp:

VivaLaVics
05-06-2009, 3:50 PM
?

VivaLaVics
05-06-2009, 5:43 PM
bump because I love my tetras!!! Help please! Is this a swim bladder issue???

VivaLaVics
05-06-2009, 9:35 PM
ANYONE? Why is the tetra swimming upside down? He is still doing it.

VivaLaVics
05-07-2009, 4:04 PM
...i've never had a fish swim upside down before so I dont know what to do here... help?

DrNo
05-08-2009, 12:27 AM
Bummer. "Headstanding" is often associated with parasitic/bacterial conditions. This does not appear like the classic headstand however; your guess re: swim bladder issue is most probable. As you know, there are many causes of swim bladder dysfunction (infectious, anatomic, etc.) I can not guarantee that a contagious event is not taking place but in the absence of any other signs, symptoms or affected specimns, I would be willing to bet this is simply an isolated event. Constipation is a common cause of this dysfunction (especially in specimens like bettas/gouramis) and the feeding of a shelled pea is typically recommended. Getting your tetra to nip at a pea however might be a "tough" challenge... any change since your last post? The good news for now is that I would not panic re: a contagion.

VivaLaVics
05-08-2009, 10:03 AM
Yea- he's fine now, I fed them peas! lol :) Thanks Vader.

DrNo
05-08-2009, 9:36 PM
:headbang2: