Pete

Hello all. I recently noticed one of my female dwarf neon rainbows acting strangely. She is swimming with her head up (tail down), doesn't appear to be eating and doesn't stop moving. She just keeps swimming back and forth in the tank. My water is near perfect as I test regularly, and all the other rainbows and other species are doing fine. I have looked around to find these symptoms, and haven't been able to come up with an answer.

At first I thought it might be dropsy, but her scales are not protruding. Anyone have any ideas? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Pete.

Pete

Anyone? This really has me worried. I have moved her to a hospital tank with pimafix and melafix. I just don't know if I am making her suffer for nothing. Do these symptoms sound familiar to anyone?

Pete

babyblu

Too bad nobody replied... Sorry hon.

capekate

Hi Pete (and babyblu)
Other than the way it is swimming have you noticed anything else that may lead you to believe it is sick? Are you sure it is not a teeny thing that is having a hard time swimming in the current of the water flow? Ive seen my little ones do that.. swim nose up.. tail down.. trying to swim strong against a current of water? If all the others are doing well, and Im not sure if they are new rainbows, but it can just be a weak one from the LFS.
Its hard to medicate a fish if you do not know if there is a parasitic problem or a bacterial infection or a fungus problem. Those are some strong meds you are using without really knowing what can be wrong and with no physical symptoms or signs its very hard to tell.

Pete

Well, I had to put the poor thing out of it's misery yesterday. It got so that it couldn't get off the bottom. I am wondering if it was just old. The LFS, did say that they don't sell many, and that they had them for awhile. Thanks capekate for your reply.

Pete

alicem

The lifespan of the praecox is about 3-4 years.
Maybe the boys chased her too much and she was stressed when you got her.
Sorry for your loss, they are beautiful rainbows.

babyblu

yeah, we've lost two in a month, so who knows what's happening. Levels in tank are spot-on, and pH is great. Everyone else is thriving... including our fry.