Odd dottyback behavior

[hawkie]

So I’ve had this ring eyed dotty for a bit now and he seems to be doing some very weird movements as of recently. Not entirely sure the cause of it but just wondering if this might actually be a “normal” behavior. Likely assuming he has some sort of bladder issue causing him to swim adnormally but he can as occasionally swims fine just chooses to swim like a ballerina at a recital. check out the YouTube video and let me know

 

[MnFish1]

So I’ve had this ring eyed dotty for a bit now and he seems to be doing some very weird movements as of recently. Not entirely sure the cause of it but just wondering if this might actually be a “normal” behavior. Likely assuming he has some sort of bladder issue causing him to swim adnormally but he can as occasionally swims fine just chooses to swim like a ballerina at a recital. check out the YouTube video and let me know

Curious - do you have your parameters for the tank?
Did you treat it with anything? Like in QT?
Are your other fish doing ok?
Is the behavior all of the time - or just intermittent?
Is the fish eating, etc (looks a little thin to me)

To me it is not normal - especially if constant. It could be an early swim bladder thing or another neurologic process? A toxin?

What is that black rock in your tank? Could that be leaching some metal/chemical into the tank?

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So I’ve had this ring eyed dotty for a bit now and he seems to be doing some very weird movements as of recently. Not entirely sure the cause of it but just wondering if this might actually be a “normal” behavior. Likely assuming he has some sort of bladder issue causing him to swim adnormally but he can as occasionally swims fine just chooses to swim like a ballerina at a recital. check out the YouTube video and let me know

How long have you had this fish?
These are often collected with cyanide and that can result in neurological issues. However, those problems would show up within 40 days or so of importation.

We see some other neurological issues with certain wrasses - it looks just like this. We have not been able to determine a cause, but it isn't curable (as most nervous system issues are not). Could be viral, bacterial or even nematodes invading the nervous system.....

As @MnFish1 said, the fish looks a bit thin. Is it still eating?

Jay

 

[hawkie]

All my parameters are good I have had him for a little over 2 months and the shop had him for a few months as well. He was normal up til this week. He swims fine most of the time but will occasionally do this a lot of the time when I come over. He’s also eating a balanced diet. He was in QT until 2 weeks ago and was hit with a the the standard fritz parasite treatment. Just not sure if he’s super excited or if there’s more to it.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

All my parameters are good I have had him for a little over 2 months and the shop had him for a few months as well. He was normal up til this week. He swims fine most of the time but will occasionally do this a lot of the time when I come over. He’s also eating a balanced diet. He was in QT until 2 weeks ago and was hit with a the the standard fritz parasite treatment. Just not sure if he’s super excited or if there’s more to it.

I do think there is more to it than just a behavioral thing - fish just don’t spin like this normally. I just can’t tell you what the cause of this is.
Just as a matter of course, since it is thin, you should feed more food, or more often.
Jay

 

[hawkie]

Gotcha I’m feeding him every ofter day right now. 1 silverside a couple krill some shrimp and some mysis as well. I feel I have been feeding him more than he should be eating but if you think I should feed him a little less but everyday I will

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Gotcha I’m feeding him every ofter day right now. 1 silverside a couple krill some shrimp and some mysis as well. I feel I have been feeding him more than he should be eating but if you think I should feed him a little less but everyday I will

I would feed that fish every day. They pick on small crustaceans in the wild, so feed pretty much throughout the day.

Jay