Excessive respiratory rate... not sure why.

[PP123]

Hi

Looking for some advice here.

I've a Royal Gramma who has been deeply breathing for the last week or so, it's been in my tank around 4 years and no new additions to the aquarium in the last year.

The fish stays near it normal position in the aquarium and not moving to the surface but has started to refuse to eat. No other fish are effected. Everthing else seems normal, no aggression noticed.

I've added a video, hopefully it helps but it's a shy fish and difficult to record but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tank is over 4 years old. 75 litre

1.025 Sg
ammonia 0
Nitrates 8
Phosphates .02
Alk 8
Temp 25.5 C

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi

Looking for some advice here.

I've a Royal Gramma who has been deeply breathing for the last week or so, it's been in my tank around 4 years and no new additions to the aquarium in the last year.

The fish stays near it normal position in the aquarium and not moving to the surface but has started to refuse to eat. No other fish are effected. Everthing else seems normal, no aggression noticed.

I've added a video, hopefully it helps but it's a shy fish and difficult to record but any suggestions would be appreciated.

Tank is over 4 years old. 75 litre

1.025 Sg
ammonia 0
Nitrates 8
Phosphates .02
Alk 8
Temp 25.5 C

How are the occupants in tank behaving?
Age May play a role but not a contributor
Any noticeable injury or tail aggression (as one angle shown in video)

 

[PP123]

Hi

Sorry about the video quality... as the royal gramma mostly hides in the rock work and doesn't swim in the open for any amount of time

No visible injuries to the fish, tail and fins look perfect and no aggression seen.

All the other fish are acting and breathing normally. Inverts all out and about. Nothing else seems out of place.

Was hoping it was some sort of injury that's not visible that would correct itself but now the fish has refused to eat the last few days.

The rapid breathing has been ongoing for over a week and now refusing to eat. It doesn't look to positive.

Any suggestions before the fish gets to weak.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hi

Sorry about the video quality... as the royal gramma mostly hides in the rock work and doesn't swim in the open for any amount of time

No visible injuries to the fish, tail and fins look perfect and no aggression seen.

All the other fish are acting and breathing normally. Inverts all out and about. Nothing else seems out of place.

Was hoping it was some sort of injury that's not visible that would correct itself but now the fish has refused to eat the last few days.

The rapid breathing has been ongoing for over a week and now refusing to eat. It doesn't look to positive.

Any suggestions before the fish gets to weak.

Has the tank had any change in aeration?

Royal Gramma are really prone to gill flukes and can have a chronic infection that goes on a long time before suddenly becoming acute if the fish is stressed.

General anemia can also cause rapid breathing, but the causes of that are not well known.

I don’t have a good course of action for you, sorry.

Jay

 

[PP123]

Royal Gramma are really prone to gill flukes and can have a chronic infection that goes on a long time before suddenly becoming acute if the fish is stressed.

This could be a possibility. This issue with the Royal Gramma was notice after returning from Holidays. The aquarium was on an auto feeder and the royal gramma is the least aggressive feeder in the tank.

No changes with the aeration or other equipment.

I'll look into fluke treatment and see if it offers the fish any relief.

Thanks for the replies. Appreciated.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

This could be a possibility. This issue with the Royal Gramma was notice after returning from Holidays. The aquarium was on an auto feeder and the royal gramma is the least aggressive feeder in the tank.

No changes with the aeration or other equipment.

I'll look into fluke treatment and see if it offers the fish any relief.

Thanks for the replies. Appreciated.

The safest fluke treatment is Prazipro. You can dose it with invertebrates present. Add extra aeration, dose it, then 8 days later, do a 25% water change and dose it a second time.

Jay