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Sick DP?

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:46 am
by julianchan
One of my DP's seems a little off..been 4 days now.

1. pH 7.6, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates currently below 10, was about 25 pre water change.
2. Inhabitants : 2 other DP's, 3 ghost shrimp (Inhabitants at time of problem start, now has 7 neon tetras 3 cherry shrimp, 2 amano shrimp, 1 ghost shrimp, 3 apple snails) 10 gallon tank.
3. Feed black worms once in the morning, occasionally in the morning and evening. Water change 25% once a week, evaporation top offs once every 3 or 4 days. Products added, stress coat, buffer, and leaf zone every 2 weeks (its a planted aquarium)
4. Changes for the week, one more 1.5 watt lighting hood (3 watts total now) and a DIY CO2 setup.
5. Had the aquarium for 2 months, cycled it for a month before puffers were added, levels were stable before they went in.

When the problem started, I had an outbreak of red algae. Its all been cleaned out and plants scrubbed.

OK, now for the symptoms, He seems to be facing downwards most of the time now (face to the gravel, tail to the lights). Does not seem stressed out. His belly seems sunken in a little bit on the left side, the other side is fine. No loss in appetite, he still goes for the worms. I don't see bumps on his belly when full. The other male seems to dominate in the tank, no nips out of the fins, but he does get bullied a little more. I have added more plants and have more hidey holes now, and this has alleviated the issue. The other 2 dp's are well, and very healthy. What bothers me most is that he is swimming face down most of the time. How normal or abnormal is that?

Thanks for the help

Re: Sick DP?

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 5:04 pm
by julianchan
bump

Re: Sick DP?

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:02 pm
by Nick
It sounds like he has an air pocket near his rear. Food with lots of roughage might help pass this as a fart, and Dps really can't be burped.

Re: Sick DP?

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 10:13 pm
by julianchan
Now there is something new to me.....I'll give it a shot, see what happens. Thanks Nick!

Re: Sick DP?

Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 11:57 pm
by Content2Swell
You can burp them, but you have to be very delicate.
Instead of holding directly onto them and making them swim away, you could try making a light fist with them inside and let them swim through your fingers.
It sound like the same thing, I know, but hopefully you get the image.

Re: Sick DP?

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:46 am
by julianchan
I have uber non delicate hands...I am really more likely to crush the little guy....maybe i can get my friend with a more delicate touch to try.....