Dying or Lazy?

[ThatCrazyFishLady]

I was wholeheartedly surprised to see my younger Blood Parrot laying on its side in the tank this morning. As soon as I turned the light on however, he swam up right and acted like nothing happened. But it was strange, it was like he would rest against the logs on his side. I've dealt with a lot of different deaths, but this one has me wondering if its even dying. I put some aquarium salt in there just in case, and started up my quarantine tank with water from my established tank. This Blood Parrot is only 7 years old, while my other is 11. So, I'm not sure what's going on with him.

 

[OrangeCones]

I would suggest checking the water parameters to make sure nothing is out of whack with ammonia, nitrite or nitrate levels.

I have seen this behaviour with a lot of different fish when they are resting after the lights are out. If he's doing it with lights on, I would be more worried.

 

[ThatCrazyFishLady]

The levels are fine, but I'm going to go ahead and do a 25% water change. Is it possible he's just dying from old age? He was a rescue from Walmart, and he had been injected with dye...

 

[ThatCrazyFishLady]

Now, he can't even get up. I came back from volleyball practice to find him still alive, and the larger blood parrot watching over him. I feel so bad! Is there something I can do to help ease the pain, or help him in general?

 

[OrangeCones]

Dye injection is certainly known to cause long-term health issues. If the ammonia and nitrite are zero, and nitrates under 40, I would not suspect water quality.

Being a man-created hybrid fish, there is not a lot of known of what is a 'normal' life expectancy. Dye injection shortens life expectancy and 7 years is a long life for such a rescued fish, in my opinion.

I'm not sure what can be done for him, but if a fish is nearing death, others in the tank often pick on him. Other than separating the others, I don't know what more you could do for him.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

^This

I'd also make sure there is some form of water flow past him if he's laying on the bottom, to make sure he's getting enough oxygen. Not so much flow as to blow him around though.

Also because they are a hybrid fish, they may have different life expectancies fish to fish (even true of non-hybrids, sometimes it is just an individual thing that comes up healthwise).

 

[FreshyFresh]

Doing the one eye-up as I like to call it is pretty common with my oscar. Typically when he/she is mad at me after a vigorous tank clean, decor change, filter change. One eye following my every move in the event I'm heading over to the food cabinet however...

 

[OrangeCones]

One eye following my every move in the event I'm heading over to the food cabinet however...

HAHAHAHAHA! They are true characters! *BOUNCINGS

 

[ThatCrazyFishLady]

He's still alive, and he moves normally when its feeding time. But he still lays on his side, lights on or off. I don't really know what the hecks going on, but I'm doing water changes 25% every other day.

 

[Rotaripsnoc]

When was the last time you fed your guy some split peas ? If he's eating regularly, try giving him some. While it doesn't sound like a swim bladder issue, it won't hurt him. Have you noticed any bloating ? Take a picture before and a day or so after the pea. One of my BP's began acting similarly, but after the pea he went back to normal, I think he was constipated, he slimmed a good 1/4" a day later, and is back to fighting with the oscar over his favorite cave.

Will keep my fingers crossed for you, hopefully it's nothing bad, or serious.

 

[ThatCrazyFishLady]

I gave my tank a thorough cleaning with the ornaments, and gravel and they all got better within the next two days. I'm not quite sure what happened. I use the same bucket every time for water changes and I've never had a problem in the past. My fish all have their color back and are back to swimming straight up. Thank you so much for the tip, though! I have used that on a fish in the past