Quick Question.

[Airborne12B]

Here in the Corpus area we're having a major cold spell. I don't keep a heater in my tank because I keep my house @ 75 degrees. That plus the heat from the lights keep my tank at a consistent 78. Well this cold spell kicked my water down to 64 degrees, so I ran to the garage and tossed in some heaters. Now one of my clowns is down on the bottom leaning to his left side for a second then swimming for a second. His breathing is a little quicker than normal, but I would say it's a far cry from "gasping". I'm guessing that somehow when I put the heaters in it raised the temperature too quickly. It's at 74 degrees now over the course of about seven hours. Did I raise it too quickly? He was swimming fine in the cold water. None of the other fish seem to be exhibiting any abnormal behaviors at all. Does anyone know what I should do? I'm inclined to think it's a temperature shock, but seven hours is a while to only go up 10 degrees.

My parameters are

Calcium 400
Carbonate Hardness 12 dkh
Phosphate 0
Nitrate 15
PH 8.4
Nitrite 0
Ammonia 0

 

[Airborne12B]

Update:

My lights went of for the night while I was watching him, and he instantly started swimming normally again. Now he's back to chasing my Dominos like he always does. What the heck is going on? He scared me half to death! Could this be a submissive action brought on by the addition of a larger Midnight perc last week? I don't know how long it takes for the gender to change, but maybe it did and this is the beginning stages of a courtship?

 

[Airborne12B]

Update 2:

He's back to doing it again. I don't know what to do. I'm worried to say the least. I've had this guy for four months or so, and he's always been healthy. I could really use some help. If it was a parasite in the gills his breathing should be heavier, and his gills aren't red.

 

[addictedreefer]

Very likely he was shocked by the temp swing. Not much you can do for him except make sure the tank is as stable as possible for him. A heater is an absolute must - even if it doesn't kick on most of the time, you need that safety net just in case.

 

[Airborne12B]

He continues to alternate between swimming fine, and chasing damsels, to leaning on his left side near the bottom. I would love to think it was something as simple and easily rectified as temp shock. I just can't convince myself of it. Why would the other six fish show no change in behavior, apatite, or swimming patterns if it was shock? Everything seems to point to a problem with this specific fish. I'm not rejecting your' diagnosis, because that was my first thought too. If it is shock all I can do is sit back and cross my fingers. I'd rather try and and be more proactive in the event that it is something else.

 

[OrionN]

Best of luck. I am also here in Corpus Christi

 

[Airborne12B]

Thanks, I thought I recognized that beach in you'r picture haha.