I just got home and found my frys sitting at the bottom under an ornament.I was only gone for a couple of hours and they were fine before I left.They are 9 months old now and has never shown any behaviour like this so I am worried...please help.


40 gallon tank with 2 cannister filter,UV
Ammonia 0,nitrite 0,nitrate between 20~40 and ph 7.9
Only 2 frys,a rubberlip pleco and 3 panda corys

I see a red spot on simon's belly.other than that,no visible injuries.I am really worried about them.Can anyone help me please

Hi Cathy, as there's little chance there'd be parasites in your tank - then red spots can be indicative of a bacterial infection.

I think I remember, but what meds for bacteria do you have on hand? You could try dosing at 25% the recommended dose.

The only thing is trying to work out what's weakening their immunity... Your water parameters are good....

Is the pleco bothering them at all? If they're resting on the bottom of the tank, then could your pleco be sucking on their slime coat maybe? This can also cause a reddening leaving them open to bacteria ....

Oh no Cathy, does the trouble never ends? We have a heron in our garden now...

Thank you Jen for your reply.I really appreciate it

I was worried and salted the tank.It's salted at 0.2% now...The meds that I have are

Parazan D
oxophosphoric acid 50 mg/1 ml

Tropical N
Trichlorfon 1 g/10 g
Acrynol 0.2 g/10 g
Sodium chloride 8.8 g/10 g

Refish
Trichlorfon 1.5 g/10 g
Hydrochloric acid chlorhexidine 0.12 g/10 g
Sodium chloride 8.33 g/10 g

Green F gold liquid
oxophosphoric acid 500 mg/100 ml

Green F
Methylene blue 0.1 g
nitrofurazone 0.6 g

I haven't seen the pleco sucking on them but I guess I can't tell what's happening after lights out These 2 were always active and it's the first time I saw them sitting at the bottom.They have always come up to me when I go near their tank so I am worried.I don't wanna lose them...which med do you think will work best?

Tell me about it...I just can't bear seeing them ill

How are they doing... ?

IMHO - i'd do 25% dose of refish and while medicating, is there somewhere you can house your pleco for now? Just in case, it may be best to remove any stressors.

Hopefully this will help them recover some immunity to fight whatever it is that's ailing them.

My fingers as ever are crossed.

Simon seemed to perk up a bit but AJ's still under the ornament



IMHO - i'd do 25% dose of refish and while medicating, is there somewhere you can house your pleco for now? Just in case, it may be best to remove any stressors.

Hopefully this will help them recover some immunity to fight whatever it is that's ailing them.

My fingers as ever are crossed.

Thank you Jen... Will do as adviced I will transfer the pleco in my 55 g.

BTW,I've been meaning to ask how you are doing?How's your leg?Did the cast come off?

Keep us posted ...

I'm doing well - cast came off a few weeks ago now (woo hoo) so am back to working about 15hrs a day . Hopefully that'll settle soon now we're into a new financial year

How about you?

I really hope your babies are just ailing from a mild bacterial malady that'll go away soon.

Cathy - just to check, you haven't added any new fish to the tank? Just want to make sure parasites can be ruled out with certainty....

That is great that the cast is gone!!!Must have been a relief



how do you do it?! Can't even imagine myself working long hours and you still have time to help us here!Kudos to you Jen

How are your fry today? (the heron came back... )

Hi Anette,

well there is a bit of improvement since they don't sit much at the bottom but I am still worried because they never do that They were always active looking for food all day long....I just hope all goes well with them(crosses fingers).

Sorry to hear about your troubles, Cathy. Have been working 14hrs a day so I haven't been around much. I must learn something from Jen so that I can breakthrough the 15hrs barrier and still have time to post on Koko's.

Take care. Keep us posted!

captk - the trick is learning when to slip under your desk for 20 winks

Thanks Henry...so far there isn't much progress but I'm hoping that they will pull through this



You too?!No wonder I never see you around



hmmm...maybe it's an age thing?!

I sure hope both of you still find time to

Do you know what's wrong with them? Have you given them medication?
Sorry I'm curious.

There really is nothing visible in their bodies except for the red spot on simon's belly It's just a tiny red spot....I added meds last night and am hoping for the best!

I'll give you all good luck wishes in the world.

Thank you Anette

Hi Cathy - is there any improvement?

Hi Jen,

They're a bit more active today compared to yesterday but they still tend to go and sit at the bottom....

I also noticed Simon's poo is full of bubbles Could constipation be a reason for their odd behavior?I started feeding them pellets a couple of weeks ago.I have always fed them bloodworms and baby brine shrimp and peas and switched to pellets since they are big enough to eat them...Any thoughts?

Cathy, what is you tank temp? Did they ever "eat bubbles" at the top of the tank?

The tank is constantly at 28*C (summertime)but raises up to 30*C during really hot days I use frozen water bottles to lower the temp sometimes.I have a bubble wall at the back of the tank so I think oxygen is good.I also noticed that they love to eat bubbles at the surface every after meal.What could it be?

Eating bubbles could mean that they are trying to increase their oxygen intake. Being frys, it would be hard to check their gills. Maybe you can try to agitate the water surface more to encourage aeration. They'd eat bubble if they have swimbladder problem as well but it doesn't sound like they are.

Another reason is when they have digestion problem. Did they start this behaviour after you changed to pellet? Are you pre-soaking the pellets? It might be a good idea to change it back to what they are used to eating and see if their condition improves.

Thank you I will add another airstone just to make sure they get enough oxygen.



Yes,they started eating bubbles after giving them pellets.I do soak the pellets for a couple of minutes but sometimes my husband feeds them and he gives without soaking I told him about air in pellets but as usual,he wouldn't listen (he needs another thump in the head )Anyway,I still have some frozen bloodworms so I'll switch back.

Will it be a good idea to fast them for a day or two and feed them mainly peas for a while?

Yes, fasting for a day is good idea. A bit of pea won't hurt. Feed them natural food for now. Then mix in the processed food gradually but not completely processed food.

Thank you.... will do that


btw,congratulations!You got your trophy

Thanks. Most undeserved, I can assure you.

Not! You deserve it

How are Simon and AJ today??

I think they are improving They don't sit much now so I think we're making progress!I fasted them yesterday and gave them peas today....let's just hope they get better and pull through this