Flame hawk, "pale"?

[Sandroni]

So I noticed today that my flame hawk was pale, almost like when he sleeps, but he wasnt sleeping. He just tries to swim really high ever since I got him. I have a bacteria bloom so I did a water change today. Is this normal flame hawk behavior for them to swim up the tank walls????

 

[Sandroni]

bump

 

[ndrwater]

If you are having a bacteria bloom, there is the possibility of low oxygen levels in the tank. Try aiming a powerheads at the surface to get as much gas exchange as possible.
Also... Check the basic three. Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. If it's a new tank, (sounds like) you could have high Ammonia which could also lead the the Hawks distress.

 

[4FordFamily]

If you are having a bacteria bloom, there is the possibility of low oxygen levels in the tank. Try aiming a powerheads at the surface to get as much gas exchange as possible.
Also... Check the basic three. Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. If it's a new tank, (sounds like) you could have high Ammonia which could also lead the the Hawks distress.

Agree.

Also, color loss is common with parasitic infections, such as velvet and occasionally even ich. The color loss is stress, and sometimes a lack of blood flow/oxygen from damaged gills (from the parasite). If you don't have a lot of perching places, it's not uncommon for flame hawks to swim up and down the side walls.

 

[leahfiish]

Agree with the above advice - bacteria bloom usually means a water quality issue which could cause stress which causes paleness. Test your water and do a water change asap. Ammonia and nitrite should be 0. Check the temperature as well.

 

[leahfiish]

Perching on the glass is normal.

 

[Sandroni]

Perching on the glass is normal.

Should I move him to my other tank? Maybe he would be better there for now until the bacterial bloom dies down?

 

[leahfiish]

Should I move him to my other tank? Maybe he would be better there for now until the bacterial bloom dies down?

You need to test your water. Has there been any change since yesterday?

I can't say whether it would be better to move him or not because you haven't given any details about your tanks. But I wouldn't move him if you think he might be sick and risk infecting your other fish.

 

[Sandroni]

You need to test your water. Has there been any change since yesterday?

I can't say whether it would be better to move him or not because you haven't given any details about your tanks. But I wouldn't move him if you think he might be sick and risk infecting your other fish.

Update: I came home praying to the tank gods he wasn't dead. He is beautiful red again! I believe that it was the bacterial bloom because my water is much more clear from this morning.