Danio is acting a bit weird and isn't eating properly

I've noticed recently that one of my danios is acting a bit weird and isn't eating properly. He is very skinny, even though I did see him eat a little this morning. Anyway, I went out and got back just under an hour ago and he was lying at the bottom of the tank. :-\ I thought he was dead but then he moved but couldn't seem to swim off. :-\ But after that I went to have lunch but when I went back to check he was swimming happily with the others. ??? Then as I sat to watch he sank back down again. Any ideas what's wrong?

I'm planing on testing the water this afternoon, and ill let u know the results when I get them.

Thanks

Gwenz

P.S. - here is a pic of him lying at the bottom. Sorry about it being green - another thing I need to do this afternoon, clean up the algae!! That is the only part of the tank where there is algae as well! He must be trying to hide in it or something!!

 

how does his breathing seem? if it's strained, he could have Copepods and would need a med for parasites, like parasite clear.

has he lost color? if so, does he have any spots on him? could be velvet, neon tetra disease or even fish tb (unlikely). I'd move him to a hosptial tank if possible.

 

His breathing seems fine, and his colour is normal like the others. This is what's worriying me, there is no sign of anything being wrong he just lies at the bottom and doesn't eat. He will swim around if one of the others come near him so its not as if he can't swim. :-\ Could it be that he just has no energy or something because he isn't eating?

I've tried every food i've got and he won't eat any of it.

My Q tank still isn't set up, I just never get round to it - so many exams, that are that much more important.

As I said I have tested the tank :

Ammonia = 0
NitrIte = 0
NitrAte = 20 ( a little high maybe ??? )
PH = 6.8

Gwenz

 

I can think of only one question that hasn't been asked/answered. How old is he? Could it just be that he's getting old and tired?

 

I was thinking that as well. I've had him for just over a year, but there's no telling how long he was in the fish store for. :-\

Gwenz

 

Old age could be the factor - their lifespan is 2-5 years. I also found: When a zebra danio is nearing the end of its typically two year lifespan, there will be a moderate to severe curvature of the spine.

 

yea! I did notice his spine is slightly curved! thanks! I guess he is just old then. He has started eating a bit more now but isn't rushing to the top with the others, I have to crush the flakes and put them under the water so they will sink for him. He swimms a bit then gets tired I suppose so goes to rest at the bottom.

Thanks, I'm glad its not some kind of disease or something. I'll keep a close eye on him.

Gwenz

 

yea, he's a retired betta now so he'll appreciate the extra care.

 

betta??? ??? lol it's a danio!! ;D

Yea. I was watching him while doing my homework and he seemed to enjoy the fact that I was keeping a close eye on him!! lol

Gwenz

 

lol.. oops.. yea, I don't know why I typed betta.. ??? it was the daleks!

 

lol! watch out for the daleks in season 3. lol 2 episodes dedicated to them!

Gwenz

 

lol! watch out for the daleks in season 3. lol 2 episodes dedicated to them!

Gwenz

don't tell me that!!! oh the agony.. I have to wait until september..

 

lol! sorry!

Its a great season!

Gwenz

 

lol! sorry!

Its a great season!

Gwenz

then I hope you're letting your fish watch it also.

 

I don't tend to watch it in my room. I did once and whenever I have the tely on Bruno (my guppie) comes to the front to watch too but when I watched Dr Who he got scared lol, and hid in the plants for a while, so I switched it off and watched it downstaris instead.

Gwenz

 

I don't tend to watch it in my room. I did once and whenever I have the tely on Bruno (my guppie) comes to the front to watch too but when I watched Dr Who he got scared lol, and hid in the plants for a while, so I switched it off and watched it downstaris instead.

Gwenz

LOL.. maybe he's afraid of the Daleks. Don't ever show him the prisoner!

 

"We want information number six."
Heh.
That show was way ahead of its time.

 

"We want information number six."
Heh.
That show was way ahead of its time.

I enjoyed the show. Been years since I saw it. The roaring bubble would traumatize a little fish for life.

 

I think he's getting worse.

He doesn't swim any more. (my danio that is). He tries to but just sinks to the bottom again. I don't know what to do. ???

Gwenz :-\

 

I'm sorry, but since it sounds like we're dealing with old age here I think the only thing to do for him is to make him as comfortable as possible and help him get his food.. perhaps with a breeder's net on the side of the tank or even a smaller tank/container that he could be in that would make it easier to feed him.

 

hmm that would be good, but I don't have a breeders net. :-\

He seems ok just lying in the plants though, I don't want to stress him by moving him. I guess I'll just leave him be.

Gwenz :-\

 

He died this morning. :'( I'm sure he had a good life, and I really enjoyed having him in the tank with the others. I had him for a whole year and longer, which is great.

Gwenz

 

I'm so sorry. But as you said, he's lived for well over a year. Even better, it sounds like he didn't die in distress or anything, just of old age.

 

yea. I'm glad he lived a full life and didn't die of any diseases so that is one good thing.

Gwenz

 

yea, i'm sorry he's passed on, but you gave him a great life and he was a happy fish i'm sure.