Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: Andy M on July 24, 2013, 07:39:19 PM

Title: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Andy M on July 24, 2013, 07:39:19 PM: I have just noticed on of my female cherry barbs is nowhere near as lively as usual. It was just kind of hovering and sinking slowly down the tank. It is now hidden inside a log ornament. It seems to be all of a sudden as I did a part water change at 5 o clock and then fed them and all seemed ok then. Just tested water and both ammonia and nitrite are zero.

Edit. It is now out of the log but seems to be in a head down, tail up position
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Sue on July 24, 2013, 07:45:57 PM: Possibilities:
Was the new water at the same temp as the tank water? If it was a bit colder she could be reacting to that.
Overeaten when you fed them?

Keep an eye on her. If it is one of those she should improve. If not, you will have to decide if she has an infection of some sort.
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Andy M on July 24, 2013, 07:57:00 PM: Thanks for swift reply Sue, I got the water as close as possible to the tank water, I was wondering if it was to do with food. I gave no more than usual but the barbs do go down for the pellets I put in for my corys. I'm wondering if she's gulped a whole one because they were all lively before
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: ColinB on July 24, 2013, 10:00:47 PM: One of my 5-band barbs was like this a while ago for a day - probably a swim-bladder problem. She then did the world's biggest poo and was right as rain afterwards. Constipation's a bugger whether you're a fish or a human! ;D ;D
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: jesnon on July 25, 2013, 12:37:27 AM: Hey up... Have you joined in the poo watching?! :P
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Andy M on July 25, 2013, 06:42:29 AM: Checked again this morning, still seems the same
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Sue on July 25, 2013, 08:25:21 AM: When a fish is constipated, the mass inside them presses on the swim bladder making it tricky to decide if it's just that or an infection. You could try feeding the tank chopped up, deskinned, cooked peas today, then don't feed them tomorrow. Peas are a fish laxative ;D
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Andy M on July 25, 2013, 09:08:22 AM: Quote from: Sue on July 25, 2013, 08:25:21 AM
When a fish is constipated, the mass inside them presses on the swim bladder making it tricky to decide if it's just that or an infection. You could try feeding the tank chopped up, deskinned, cooked peas today, then don't feed them tomorrow. Peas are a fish laxative ;D

Will see how she is when i get home from work, if still the same i will pop to the shop for some and try that
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Andy M on July 25, 2013, 07:36:04 PM: Came in from work today and thought all was ok again, all barbs jostling for food but yet again after feeding its acting lethargic again. very odd
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: ColB on July 26, 2013, 07:05:02 AM: Is your fish called Dave ?
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: ColinB on July 26, 2013, 12:12:34 PM: Quote from: ColB on July 26, 2013, 07:05:02 AM
Is your fish called Dave ?

There's a joke in there, surely??
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: SteveS on July 26, 2013, 06:08:47 PM: I thought it was a joke!
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: Chucklett on July 26, 2013, 11:20:27 PM: It aint no joke for Andy or his Cherry Barb.
Title: Re: lethargic cherry barb
Post by: ColB on July 27, 2013, 10:03:34 AM: Sorry Chucklett , his barb is still feeding so that's good news isn't it .