Borbonius Anthia Swimming Pattern

[RDtrack]

Picked up a beautiful Borbonius Anthia the other day.

Was very, very skittish at first but now after a week is coming out more. Eating good, so I'm not worried that way.

However it's swimming pattern seems strange. It swims angled down, tail above the eyes. Not sure if this is normal or not?

I know it spends a lot of time perched underneath overhangs, which I believe is normal.

Just wondering if this is a swim bladder issue or just a normal behavior.

Thanks

 

[beachbreak]

Could be a swim bladder issue. If it is struggling then yes, it is probably a swim bladder issue. If it is staying in that position with little to no effort, then it is fine. The borbs I've seen with swim bladder issues always struggled to keep that head lowered position. Mine would stay in that head down position most of the time except to feed.

 

[RDtrack]

How long did your's stay that way? Or is is still like this?

I don't think it's struggle to keep it's self that way. At first I was worried because it was always under a rock upside down. Now it just swims that way.

Like yours did/does mine will feed looking like a normal fish or if it's navigating around the rock work, i.e., swimming behind rocks.

 

[evolved]

Normal for this species when introduced, especially if you have bright lights. Their eyes take time to adjust to reef lighting.

 

[RDtrack]

Thanks Hunter.. I've always wanted one and got an awesome price...

 

[namxas]

I'd say the fish likely has a swim bladder issue as well, most likely due to being improperly decompressed during collection.

If it's not an infection, you might try using Acetylzolamide (Diamox) to relieve the edema. This drug works well on SH with swim bladder issues.

Here's the protocol:

ACETAZOLAMIDE (immersion) Dosage and Preparation Instructions for a 10g/38L Hospital Tank
Active Ingredient: Acetazolamide
Indication: gas bubble disease, edema, popeye
Brand Name: Diamox
250mg per day for 3 days.
Replace the medication in ratio to the amount of water changed daily as needed to control ammonia.
Day 1 of Treatment
• Crush one 250mg tablet into a fine powder.
• Use a mini-blender or small hand-blender to thoroughly mix the powder with about 1 cup of marine water.
• Allow the mixture to set for a few minutes.
• Gently pour off the dissolved portion of the mixture and discard any residue that has settled at the bottom of the container. (Do NOT add the residue to the hospital tank).
• Pour the mixture into a high-flow area of the hospital tank.
Days 2 – 3 of Treatment
• Perform 50% water change.
• Repeat "Day 1" instructions.