Upside down swimming

[danger_chicken]

My favorite SA is acting strange. He's swimming in loops over and over again, the bottom of the loop he's upside down. He's eating but not like normal. He seems sensitive to light. Today he wasn't swimming his loop like last night but I noticed him hiding under a plant, when I turned the light off he came out. He's not coming to the surface for food but eats some pellets that I drop in, he's ignoring the feeders completely (I grow my own). I wasn't around this weekend so he hasn't eaten anything in a few days (until last night). I'll post water params when I get home tonight.

Any ideas?

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Sounds like a swim bladder infection. Not something I have a lot of experience with, but the symptoms seemed to match when I googled it. If its bacterial, it can be treated with an antibiotic. If its trauma related or a developed disorder I am not sure. Don't take my word, but its a starting point to research.

 

[Lively]

I thought the same thing, Discus. Like you, no expereince with it just what I've read up on fish disease.

We're a pair with our sick fish...

 

[danger_chicken]

Thanks I'll see what I can find on it. He's not doing loops now but still not eating normal and still seems sensative to light.
Ph 6.8
Ni 0
Am 0
Na 10

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Did some googling out of curiosity. You said you were away for a few days. Did you have an automatic feeder on the tank or was someone else feeding your fish? I found that swim bladder disorders "can be caused by overfeeding, especially pellet food low in moisture content." They recommend to fast for a few days to allow the bloating and constipation to subside. If the fish does not respond, you may need to treat with a general antibiotic. A bacterial infection doesn't seem likely since water conditions are good and there weren't any large water cahnges performed. It never mentioned anything about light sensitivity, so that part is still confusing, but it may be a behavioral response to discomfort. Hope this helps. Keep updated.

 

[danger_chicken]

No he went 2 days with no food. Myfirst clue something was wrong was when I went to feed him I saw feeders that had been hiding in the background out in the realative open.


He's doing better today, he came to the top for food.

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Ok, just trying process of elimination. Sometimes those infections/disorders can take care of themselves without intervention. Hopefully he'll continue to improve and the problem will solve itself. Still curious as to what actually happened though...

 

[danger_chicken]

yeah I'd like to know what's causing it.