Ammonia - ? (I lost the stupid card, but it tests super pale yellow)
Nitrites - .5 (higher than normal)
NitrAtes - 20 (normal)
Ph - 8.0 (I know, kinda high, but it's always been like this)
Kh - 120 (normal)
Ph from tap - 8.0
Tank size - 20 gallons
Been Running for - One year, one month. Moved in December, did a 50% water change and kept 50% of old water, and all the gravel, & filter media.
Filter - EHEIM 200 gph
Water Changes - 10% every week or so
Fish - Two, one oranda, one veiltail. Oranda is about 2.5" (w/o tail), Veiltail is about 1.5" (w/o tail)
Additives - Tetra AquaSafe with water changes
Medications - None
New fish - none
Food - pellets

Symptoms:

Sanchez, the oranda, has been listless for a few days. The past two days he wasn't floating to the surface (like with swim bladder), but it was like he was making no real effort to go anywhere. If he got caught in the filter current, he just went with it.

His fins look a little droopy, but he's not clamped.

TODAY, however, he's starting to kinda let loose and float upside down. He will right himself and swim around for a while, but he's occasionally just floating for a little bit here and there.

Also, his eyes look a little bugged out more than normal.

I just did a 10% water change with some AquaSafe. The other fish is looking just fine.

My Thoughts:

It doesn't look like swim bladder, because he's had that before and it doesn't look the same. He can get to the bottom of the tank just fine.

I have started a new tank recently and took out two of the carbon filters from the EHEIM to help seed the new filter. Could this be why I'm seeing a higher than normal NitrIte level? Do I just need to wait for this new filter to seed with biobugs?

What should I do?

FTB

Here are some pictures taken just now:





(His eyes really aren't that color, it's my stupid photography skills.)

Sorry to hear and see your little guy not well.

I will start off by saying he looks swollen from the pic, is this true in person?
And can you describe the "buggyness" to his eyes a bit better?

Are any of his scales sticking out?

I am thinking it could be an advance stage of SBD, remember this can come in many forms........changing as it goes.
But I am wondering if the fish isn't trying to dropsy on you. Why I mentioned the scales.

I would do an immediate water change and try to get the nitrites at 0. Whether this is causing something or not....it sure isn't helping the fish.

Thanks for the reply, Laurie.

I did a water change before leaving for rehearsal tonight. I just got home (6 hours after water change) and he has been upright the whole time i've been watching him. He's still a little floaty/lopsided.... maybe it is just a weird case of swim bladder.

His scales look fine (he must wonder why my face is plastered to the tank so much lately). As for his eyes, I dunno, it just seems like they are more prominent on his face than they used to be. I could just be hallucinating, I dunno.

He *is* swimming much better now.... I'm gonna skip feeding tomorrow until I can get some peas. Maybe a couple of those will clear him out and we'll be back to normal.

FTB

Sounds good, keep us posted if things take a turn for the worst again.

I'm happy to report there have been no more upside down incidents in 24 hours. He's looking a lot better now. I still think I"ll give him a pea tomorrow, tho

FTB

Excellent!! Always love to hear good news.