RTBS Chomping

[ukclaire]

My baby (just under 2 inches long) RTBS is constanly "chomping". Even when he isnt eating, and thats not often, his mouth is going 10tothedozen, it looks like when someone has something in their teeth...

We have 12 5-lined barbs & 6 Female Bettas in there as well and none of them are gasping.

As a precation we took a sample of water to be tested at my LFS and they confirmed what our test kit readings were (eSHa Aqua quick Test kit) there is no ammonia, PH is spot on as is hardness, Nitrate is between 25-50, Nitrite is 0.

Temp is around 82.

140L tank running an external Eheim filter, 1 air stone and 1 power head filter.

25% water change every Sunday morning....Tapsafe is used.
Fed on either frozen foods (variety pack), Tetra flakes or Tetra crisps with an algae tablet for the RTBS.

I must admit he is eating everything in sight but he is also copying the other fish, the barbs swim in the corner, go to the top and swim back down....he follows them. The bettas go up for air...he follows and gets some air as well.

Its the following the bettas thats worrying me...is he poisoned..? or just a copycat.

Also I am looking for a online shop that will ship to the UK - specifically for Bettamax.

TIA

Regards
Claire

 

[OrionGirl]

I wouldn't worry about the shark, but you may want to worry about your other fish. Sharks will chase--and before they start nipping other fish, they will often just follow them around. I think sharks may school as juveniles, and then go solo as they mature. My rainbow used to follow around everything in the tank--gouramies, UDC, algae eaters, etc. Now, at 2 years, he mostly hangs out in his cave, and chases others away (violently, if needed!).

For the 'chewing'...I just went to look at mine, and he's doing the same thing. Not constantly, but he 'chewed' 5-6 times, then quit for a little while, then did it again. Since mineis very healthy and well fed, I guess it's normal? Unlikely it's something to worry about, anyway.

 

[ukclaire]

Thanks for the reply.

*Phew*

We were getting worried for a time. I did look at the two RTBS's that were left at the LFS but couldnt really tell in the time we were there if they did the same thing, plus there was no algae in their tanks...ours is doing a very good impression of a Hoover.

We bougha Juwel Rekord 70 today as a quarentine/plant tank. And that is now on its cycle with a couple of bacteria capsules in it to kick off the growth. No gravel....

Eventually either the RTBS will go in there or the male betta, arrangements to be decided. We would like, eventually, some more fish (clown loaches and an upsidedown catfish) then THAT IS IT.

Thanks again...its easy to panic when its the first time around.

Regards
Claire