Ahh! My lionhead is floating face down diagonally and when hes not doing that he lets himself float over into a plant, hes not very lively at all, I have a fantail in their with him who has swim bladder disease, I dont think its the same thing. Any help would be appreciated.

Ph 7.8
Tank 20 gallon
Their are 3 other fish in their with him
I just changed half of the water 3 days ago
I use an Aqua tech filter

I know you anwsered some of these ? but I need more to help you hun


Ammonia Level

Tank size(How many Gals) and How long has it been running?

Nitrite Level?

How often do you change the water and how much?

Nitrate Level?

Filtration?

Ph Level

Water additives/conditioners?

What do you feed your fish?

Medications add to the tank?

How many fish in the tank and there size?

Any new fish added to the tank?

Any unusual findings on the fish? Such as "grains of salt", bloody streaks, frayed fins, fungus Any unusual behavior? Like staying at the bottom, not eating, ect..

Hi Nikki

Sorry to hear about your fish. My first impression was that he had swim bladder. Why do you think it's not? If it's because he is acting differently to your fantail? Personally, i would starve them both for a couple of days and then feed them shelled defrosted garden peas, just to be on the safe side.

Good luck. Keep us updated.

I fed him a shelled pea last night and I found him dead when I awoke this morning. Im sad.

I didint think it was swim bladder because he wasent floating, his face was smushed into the rocks and his back side was facing up and he'd stay like that for hours without moving.

I have the most horrible luck when it comes to keeping fish.

Sorry to hear that Nikki. I hope it doesn't put you off fish keeping all together as it has happened to us all at some time or another.

Anyway, how's your fantail doing?

Nikki, sorry about your loss I just wanted to say that face-down (http://www.koicrisis.com/symptoms/behavior.html#Anchor-+%20Swimm-53266) type floating is usually due to internal bacterial problems. I had experiences with two fishes with that problem, thought it was swimbladder, but they did not make it (with very soft tummies after). Unfortunately there's nothing I could do for them because we don't have decent medicated fish food where I am

You have tried your best, and I hope your learning experience here will help with your other and future fishes

Aww, Thanks guys, you're very sweet. I doubt it will turn me off from fish keeping, I enjoy it too much, the good parts of it anyway. My Fantail died too, Im just wondering now if my other two fish are in danger?

You need to find out if its your water params - can you test your water or have it tested for you (most lps will do it for free) Get actual numbers (esp from the lps - mosttimes they will say it's fine - make them give you numbers) & then post them here?

If you can answer the ques Koko asked - it would be a great help!

Most probs stem from water quality issues!

Post back soon,.

Jenn

you definately need to get test kits for your water
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate and ph
it could be a water quality problem