Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Health => Topic started by: TigzFish on April 02, 2013, 07:36:41 PM

Title: Tales of the Unexpected - The case of the lopsided fishes
Post by: TigzFish on April 02, 2013, 07:36:41 PM

Earlier today I spotted my 4 female Cherry Barbs swimming happily, nosing in the sand and gently pecking at the terracotta pots and silk plants... you know, doing what they do.

I noticed that the 4 girls seemed to be swimming with a slight list to one side, ie: lopsided.  The Cherry Barb males and the Glowlight Danio were not affected.

Scouring the web, I come up with a possible explanation in the form of Swim Bladder Disease (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swim_bladder_disease), but let's not panic yet, as constipation, overfeeding and high Nitrates can be causes.

Low-tech solution, add some blanched and crushed peas and allow the Barbs to do some nibble feeding.

One hour later (that's right now), all 4 Barbs are swimming around with no lopsided signs.

How very very odd.  :-\

So, either this fish-keeper is a raving loony, or frozen peas are the new wonder drug.  :P

Answers on a post card to the second padded cell on the right please.  ;D

Title: Re: Tales of the Unexpected - The case of the lopsided fishes
Post by: ColinB on April 03, 2013, 07:28:14 AM

I've noticed the occasional 'list to starbord' with my barbs as well.... but they always get their shelled peas on Sunday afternoon (which goes down like a Hollywood baddie in a lake of Piranha) and at the moment they're all swimming perpendicular to the horizon. I'll see if they start leaning into the wind as Sunday approaches.

Shelled peas - fantastic. 8)

Raving loony - we-el, errrrr, ummm....... I've slipped a file in with the cake I've sent you.

Title: Re: Tales of the Unexpected - The case of the lopsided fishes
Post by: Sue on April 03, 2013, 10:07:40 AM

Interesting it was just the females though.

Title: Re: Tales of the Unexpected - The case of the lopsided fishes
Post by: ColinB on April 03, 2013, 10:13:30 AM

Typically troublesome. ;)

Title: Re: Tales of the Unexpected - The case of the lopsided fishes
Post by: Sue on April 03, 2013, 10:18:57 AM

Females, trouble  :o

Title: Re: Tales of the Unexpected - The case of the lopsided fishes
Post by: TigzFish on April 03, 2013, 11:03:36 AM

Thanks, glad it isn't just me.  Peas on the weekly supplement I reckon.