My royal gramma head shakes / jitters. .

[Teremei]

I've noticed recently when I look close at my gramma that every so many seconds when I am looking at him that he jitters his head. I have been keeping an eye on him and trying to research what it is. I came up with Lateral Line errosion because I thought something on the side of his head didn't look right. I don't know it's hard to tell. I read lethargy is one of the symptoms. Well anyway long story short. I'm changing water, removing carbon, and going to buy some grounding probes. He still eats so I am feeding a little extra. And soaking the food in selcon.

Is head jitters one of the symptoms of HLLE? At this point all I can do is just keep at eye on him and improve conditions.

I've changed the water 15% (even though I changed 5 days ago) went to the LFS to get a grounding probe, and have fed a little extra today, and some formula 1 soaked in selcon.

I haven't noticed him do it since I put the grounding probe in. But I've just got home and he's only been out for a few secons of observation. .

 

[Sk8r]

Here's hoping that will solve it.

SOmetimes fish 'jitter' when they itch, so watch the skin and fins.

But maybe you've nailed it.

 

[Teremei]

Nah he still does it even with the probe. But I'm going to change the heater as I've heard those are the ones that cause alot of the stray current problems. And it's more than a yr. old too.

What can I do if he "iches" just keep up the water changes?

 

[Paul B]

Your royal gramma has an infection of paracites, probably ich. Of course it is hard to tell from here. Look closely, do you see any tiny white spots on the clear portions of his fins? is he breathing heaver than normal?
Paul

 

[Teremei]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7621387#post7621387 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
Your royal gramma has an infection of paracites, probably ich. Of course it is hard to tell from here. Look closely, do you see any tiny white spots on the clear portions of his fins? is he breathing heaver than normal?
Paul

Nope, no ich anywhere on his body. Not breathing heavy either. And I've seen ich. Infact he looks perfectly healthy and colorful. Could it be from constant harassment from the coral beauty? It's not like she nips him or hurts him physically because she doesn't. But she'll be around his hole alot doing little chases here and here. I've taken a closer look at the gramma and there are no little spots at all. Just above his head looks like a small abbrasion (like a knick against a rock or something). Could this be from hitting his head on the rock?

 

[Teremei]

double post

 

[Paul B]

Lateral line disease does not cause head shaking. Paracites is the only thing I can think of. But if it is not that (and I hope it's not) Then it could be just one paracite thats not ich. Fish head shake to scratch their gills. Keep looking closely. If he's hitting his head on a rock that would just make him a very stupid fish. I have seen royal grammas while diving and I always saw them very deep, over 100 feet. They hang out in dark caves and I am sure they do not hit their head on the rocks unless there is something seriuosely wrong with them.
I hope you can figure it out, it's hard to tell from here.
Good luck.
Paul

 

[Teremei]

Update: He is still around and kicking. I haven't noticed him do it recently. He might still do it from time to time but he still looks healthy and eating well. It may HAVE been a little ick bout in his gills or something that was iching him.