Powder Blue Swimming Strangely

[hazylogic]

Any ideas what might be going on with my powder blue? He’s about 1.5 years old and noticed he’s starting to swim strangely (facing downward) all the time starting yesterday. He usually runs the tank, but others are being aggressive with him now.

 

[MnFish1]

Any ideas what might be going on with my powder blue? He’s about 1.5 years old and noticed he’s starting to swim strangely (facing downward) all the time starting yesterday. He usually runs the tank, but others are being aggressive with him now.

can you post a YouTube link?

 

[MnFish1]

can you post a YouTube link?

That said - swimming downward - can be a swim-bladder issue - which can be infection, toxin, or something else (like constipation) - I know its freshwater - but I recently had a nitrite problem (not an issue in saltwater)- with all the fish swimming head down - a water change resolved it

 

[hazylogic]

Here’s a YouTube link:

 

[MnFish1]

Here’s a YouTube link:

You might not like this - but here is my answer. It's not a disease - its overcrowding. It's looking for food - you can see it several times - racing to get something that another fish was trying to get. IMHO - this is an overcrowded (Beautiful) tank. Not a disease

 

[hazylogic]

You might not like this - but here is my answer. It's not a disease - it’s overcrowding. It's looking for food - you can see it several times - racing to get something that another fish was trying to get. IMHO - this is an overcrowded (Beautiful) tank. Not a disease

Maybe, but it just seems off. He doesn’t ever swim in a straight line like other fish unless he gets spooked. He’s eating tons - his belly is very full. They get plenty of food. Mysis in the morning, 3 sheets of nori, and freeze dried callanus 4x a day for the anthias/Chromis. I’m wondering if maybe he’s constipated.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I dont think its overcrowding although this tank is packed, nor bladder but mine does this when my Naso gets near it (intimidation). Additionally the belly area has a bulge on both sides suggesting constipation and it seems to be breathing normal, so this is not systematic and without the amount of fish in tank may not be able to maintain its body fluids.
What color is its poop and is it pooping normally ?

 

[hazylogic]

I dont think its overcrowding although this tank is packed, nor bladder but mine does this when my Naso gets near it (intimidation). Additionally the belly area has a bulge on both sides suggesting constipation and it seems to be breathing normal, so this is not systematic and without the amount of fish in tank may not be able to maintain its body fluids.
What color is its poop and is it pooping normally ?

Not sure if it’s pooping normally, but am watching to see. I’m thinking maybe constipation as well. He keeps eating though.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

That said - swimming downward - can be a swim-bladder issue - which can be infection, toxin, or something else (like constipation) - I know its freshwater - but I recently had a nitrite problem (not an issue in saltwater)- with all the fish swimming head down - a water change resolved it

I see some bloating and positive buoyancy - I’d say gas in the digestive system.
Jay

 

[hazylogic]

I see some bloating and positive buoyancy - I’d say gas in the digestive system.
Jay

So, is that just something to wait out?

 

[vetteguy53081]

So, is that just something to wait out?

Typically yes but you mentioned eating and you can feed brine shrimp which will help with digesting issue. The bouyancy issue will resolve itself generally

 

[xiongsy]

Here’s a YouTube link:

What a gorgeous blue! Love the pastel x yellow color and would be devastated to lose it. Looks like there's something wrong with the belly but hopefully you get it resolved

 

[hazylogic]

Well, he did poop! Although it wasn’t a lot. It was pretty unremarkable. Brown and firm as always.

 

[xiongsy]

Well, he did poop! Although it wasn’t a lot. It was pretty unremarkable. Brown and firm as always.

Maybe need some oil just like us humans? EVOO always make it go down smooth for humans so maybe omega 3s? Although omega 3s always make the water oily and my OSFF hate it to an extent.