Uhhh, what just happened?

[LadyLail]

So tonight I was adding water to my tanks and one minute my Tinfoil Barb is swimming, the next he's upside down and appeared to be dying-as in barely breathing, settled at the bottom of the tank dead. I left him in the tank because I rather my husband be the grim reaper and get rid of the fish. Anyways, it's been maybe 30 mins and I just looked over and he's back swimming again. Albeit a bit labored, he's back. What's going on? I've been keeping fish forever and I've never seen anything like it. Is he just a fighter and will die in a bit or could something be wrong?

 

[AquaticTim]

I would quarantine it.. Sounds like it came back from the dead and is likely a zombie.

If that's not the case, it's still odd. I know some species do 'play dead' when they are stressed out. But generally I think those are more 'intelligent' species like clown loaches... not barbs. If your signature is up to date- I doubt it would be a space issue (assuming it's still a juvenile) as these fish can get over a foot long, and if it IS that size, it very well may be stressed out and out of room. Another thought, is that tinfoil barbs are supposed to be in groups of 5.. I see you have 4 tiger barbs, and am not sure if that really counts or not (are they the same species? idk) On any account, I doubt that this is a normal healthy behavior. I have not kept barbs and have never first hand seen a fish display this behavior.. so that's about my best opinion.. hopefully someone else may have a more helpful response before it's too late.. Good luck!

 

[LadyLail]

Well sadly he did finally go belly up- but he put up a good fight! He was a juvie and actually 'schooled' with my SD's. He was thrown in my bag at my lfs because he had a tail defect and they couldn't sell him and she explained him wrong, so after I realized what it was I knew I'd have to keep him as a lone ranger. I hate that he died, but that's just part of keeping fish, huh? Still odd the way it happened. Good water parims, good tank mates, healthy as far as I know... RIP Loppyjaw :'(

 

[LadyLail]

Oh and LOL at the zombie comment!

 

[Lotus]

Perhaps the water was a little colder than usual or had more chlorine than usual and he just couldn't handle it. Sometimes it happens

 

[bassbonediva]

I was going to suggest the same thing Lotus did. Could have been a temperature swing or a pH swing. Did you let the water sit for a while before adding it into the tank?

 

[Kissyboots]

I had the same thing happen in my tank when I first started. The water I added was either too cold or too warm (can't remember, but I think it was cold) and nearly all my fish didn't move until it matched the right temp again.

Just check next time to make sure the temp of the new water is close to the original so it won't mess with your fish.

 

[LadyLail]

I remember that happening when I first got my 29g. I had the bright idea to use the garden hose to do a pretty big water change...and here in NC the water is freezing straight out of the ground. I was sure I had killed them all, but luckily they pulled through. And I did add about 4 gallons of water that evaporated, but I added Start Right to neutralize the chlorine. May have been the temp or just a fluke. Who knows

 

[aakaakaak]

Because of the recent temperature changes strange things are going on with the water that normally don't. I've seen nearly the same thing happening with a few people on this forum. I don't know if it's chemical or what. Be extra careful and let your water sit for a while before adding it.

 

[OrangeCones]

This time of year, my tap water is just under 50degrees. Because I live in an old house, I don't like to use the hot water as I don't know what the pipes are made of. I use a spare heater on a 5gallon bucket and wait until the temp matches the tank I'm putting the water into. Makes water changes on 8 tanks take all day, but tis ok by me

 

[Dylandrewsdad]

I would quarantine it.. Sounds like it came back from the dead and is likely a zombie.

OMG....that was HIS-TER-ICAL! *laughingc

But seriously, sorry about your loss. I have heard people at one of the fish clubs I go to say that when they change water at a certain time they smell more chlorine. One person questions the township about it and the answer was that they do a heavy dose of chlorine once every two weeks at night. The day he changed his water was about 30 minutes after the dosing. Maybe something like that happened and the little guy couldn't handle it?

 

[skjl47]

Hello; To the extra chlorine comment. I live on a main road in a rural area. While replacing a pressure valve last fall a water company man stopped by. He told me that they do add heavier doses from time to time and my being near the main trunk would also increase the amount at my taps.