zizziz

my rainbow shark has been harassing my balas and they were getting cuts in there fins. I really didnt want to get rid of it so i bought a new cave, another fake plant and some more gravel. I almost boiled the cave (was really hot) and i soaked the plant in there as well. I put it in the tank, added the tree and some more gravle, moved things around and the very next day my bala is hovering around 3/4 toward the top of the tank, completely vertical. fins move normal, no physical looking signs, he even darts away from the bubbles that a bobbing bridge makes, but he can't really get away from being completely vertical. any ideas?

Alessa

do you know about the nitrogen cycle? if not then PLEASE read this as it is very, very, important.

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

it sounds like your fish is dying of ammonia poisoning.

the only thing to do is 50% daily water changes until your tank cycles.

Red tail sharks are very agressive and you can only keep one per tank.

Also, bala are schooling fish, need to be with more than 4 other of their same type and get HUGE. They need at least a 55 gal.


good luck!

zizziz

yes i read that about 5 times now.

i read about ammonia posing but i don't see the symptoms.

I will do the 50% wc's

I have only 1 rainbow, I THOUGHT it was a red tail when i bought it.

I have 4 balas, I am looking for a 120 gal now...

I have to update my "profile" ....

Devon

Do you have a test kit? What are your parameters? Swimming vertical is a symptom of ammonia poisoning...

Shawnie

4 bala's in a 26 gallon? ya its going to be ammonia... DAILY water changes of at least 50 % to help them breath..and treat the tap water with prime which will lock down the ammonia for 24 hrs until your next change...can you return your bala's? because you would need at least 125 gallons to keep them semi-happy..more like 300 or so for 4 of them...rainbows are cool but are territorial buggers by far...

zizziz

All i see is this on the internet:

Name: AMMONIA POISONING
Symptoms: Fish gasp for breath at the water surface
Purple or red gills
Fish is lethargic
Fins are torn & jagged
Loss of appetite
Fish lays at the bottom of the tank
Fish may appear darker in color
Red streaking on the fins or body

maybe lethargic applies but thats it. im taking no chances and doing the 50% wc daily. I have some topfin dechyl but I hear alot of you guys talk about prime. is that the same thing or is it that much better? I will head out tomorrow and get it.

I am looking for a good used 155 or so, alot of craigslist, just need to find the right one. the rainbow is a PITA, its a beautiful fish but......

thanks

zizziz

would it be ok to take a fish that is suspected to have ammonia poisoning out of the tank and put it into a smaller tank just for a day or 2, with maybe a 50% wc each day?

Shawnie

you need to do daily water changes in ANY tank with ammonia...did you check your water parimeters to see what readings you have?