smurfcatcher

I have 4 cherry barbs, 2 corys, 3 platys, 1 horse faced loach, and 1 rubber lipped pleco in a 30 gallon. Now, my cherry barbs keep scraping against the rocks and sand every now and then for the past two weeks. They are not doing it continuously, but I will catch them doing it every now and then over a few hours. They have no white spots on them at all which would indicate ick, but would they scrap even before the ick starts to cause the white spots to appear? Could this be some other disease or is it some thing else?

COBettaCouple

It could be parasites but that's just a guess. Do you have any pics that you could post? Also what are the exact numbers on ammonia, nitrites and nitrates from the last water test?

smurfcatcher

As far as the water condition: ammonia is 0, nitrites 0, and nitrates 0.

Here are some pictures of the males and one of the female cherry barbs (Sorry, not that great of picture quality):

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...er/Fishpic.jpg
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/i...estFishPic.jpg

COBettaCouple

Are you testing with strips or liquid tests? Nitrates rarely gives 0 in a cycled tank. Is the tank heavily planted?

I can't see anything visibly wrong so if it were us, we'd probably treat with parasite clear tablets and see how they do.

susitna-flower

Often ick can be in the gills before you can see it on the fishes body. Even before using medication, you could try raising the temperature to 82.5 for at least two weeks. This will kill ick, and if you also do 25-50% water changes every other day, your fish will have lowered stress and plenty of oxygen (needed with higher temps).

Tazmiche

My Cherry Barbs are nutters, i LOVE them. Do you know what sex each of yours are? That will make a difference to them.

Please reply, i ADORE my cherry barbs, my first tropical fish and so cheeky and naughty!!!

I have never seen mine rub against stuff but if i can help i will.