Serpae Tetra swimming awkwardly

[srstickler]

Hola,

I have a Serpae Tetra in my tank that has started behaving strangely in the last 2 weeks.

Basically, the fish can't seem to keep itself horizontal in the water. The fish is always at a 60 degree upwards angle towards the surface of the water and it's working very hard to keep itself from sinking to the bottom of the tank. Obviously the other fish are all fine and are not straining themselves, it's only this one fish. Could this fish be having fin problems or could it have had its fins nipped??

I'm very diligent with my tank maintenance and I know it's nothing like that. I test weekly. As I mentioned the other fish are acting completely normal.

The affected Serpae eats when food is given and is energetic about getting the food as the others, it just can't doesn't seem to have any buoyancy.

Any ideas out there from anyone??

Many Thanks,
Sean

 

[Leopardess]

How long have you had it.

As for its fins being nipped - are they ripped when you look?

Sounds like it could be a swim bladder problem or perhaps dropsy if its tummy is bloated.

 

[srstickler]

I've had it for nearly a year I'd guess and as I mentioned, it's only recently started behaving this way.

Stomach is not bloated that I can tell, but I'm certainly no expert.

I've not heard of either of the things you mention, if it is one of these things, is there anything I can do?

 

[Leopardess]

Not that I'm aware of. Dropsy (which it doesn't seem to be) is fatal almost always.

Swim bladders are what help the keep maintain their balance and bouyancy. Since its an internal organ, there isn't much you can do.....