3 stripe damsel, possible parasite?

[Exus]

So this happens a number of times every day, for just a few minutes at a time. The head would turn pale, like in the picture, and the damsel would dive up and down continously. Only stopping when the color of his head turns back to normal. I have 2 damsel, only 1 of them exhibits this.

I can't seem to find anywhere regarding similar symptoms.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The fish looks pretty healthy and robust, have you had it awhile?
I presume it’s still feeding ok?
I’d say it is a behavioral issue, not a disease.
Jay

 

[Exus]

The fish looks pretty healthy and robust, have you had it awhile?
I presume it’s still feeding ok?
I’d say it is a behavioral issue, not a disease.
Jay

I've had it for about 3 months, it didn't initially behave this way, but developed it maybe a month afterwards. It's feeding normal. If it's just a behavioral quirk, that would be fine. Just thought it was werid that it's normally black head stripe would turn pale.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I've had it for about 3 months, it didn't initially behave this way, but developed it maybe a month afterwards. It's feeding normal. If it's just a behavioral quirk, that would be fine. Just thought it was werid that it's normally black head stripe would turn pale.

Could it be reacting to its reflection in the glass, damsels can be pretty territorial.
There just isn’t a disease I know of that would have symptoms like this, that comes and goes.
Jay

 

[Tired]

Can you try to get a video?

Does it dive up against the glass?

 

[brmc1985]

I've had it for about 3 months, it didn't initially behave this way, but developed it maybe a month afterwards. It's feeding normal. If it's just a behavioral quirk, that would be fine. Just thought it was werid that it's normally black head stripe would turn pale.

Mine does the same thing. I think it’s a mating ritual

 

[Exus]

Here is a video of the werid behavior.


https://youtube.com/shorts/hfUzg2NOwwI?feature=share

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ugh - after watching the video, I’m revising my opinion. The fish isn’t “robust” it’s bloated. It is also breathing rapidly. There is something systemic going on here, but I’m not sure what it could be though….
Jay

 

[Tired]

That fish looks distressed. It might be in some amount of pain, and that motion helps somehow. No clue what the cause is, though, poor thing.

 

[brmc1985]

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So maybe a female with eggs? What about the rapid breathing?
Jay

 

[Charli V.]

My 3 stripe looks the same and is doing the same action.

 

[Exus]

My 3 stripe looks the same and is doing the same action.

I still don't know what's wrong, but it's still alive after a year, but it's a less frequent action.