Strange behavior with a chalk bass

Newms118

New member
Does anyone have any experience with a chalk bass? I just got one, it went through QT where it doubled in size from food, was treated with PP and NLS ich shield, never showed any sign of actual disease.

Its in the DT, but in an acclimation box. I have opened the lid for him to leave when he wants. My main question is whether or not its showing signs of a disease. Normally, it swims a bit around looks for food, still a bit timid so itll hide in its tube. Not exactly sure what its sleep habit looks like. So today, I noticed that the fish was laying on the ground, kind of tucked against the tube so that it feels secure, its breathing a bit slower and its still looking around, but at least twice i saw it go completely on its side, then kind of make a bow or moon shape, as if if the fish was stretching its back. If you imagine you are looking down on the fish, and its mouth and tail are at 12 and 6 pm, imagine the fish move so that its body is C shaped, its mouth and tail both move towards 3 PM and then relax after about a second. After about 5 minutes, the fish with get up and be active again, then another 10 minutes later, itll swim to this spot, get snug against the tube, and lay down again, slow its breathing and just sit there for a bit.

What is this? Is it a stretch bc the fish is sleeping? Is it some sort of sign of distress? Is this some sign of parasite or ich? I find it hard to believe considering Ive treated with PP and CP, and I always have a UV pump going in my DT.

Any ideas?
 
Chalk bass are quite timid fish, particularly when small and when newly introduced. I put six through QT, added them to my display ..... and didn't see a single one for two weeks. Then, one day, all six were out and about. I still have 5 three years later.
 
Chalk bass are quite timid fish, particularly when small and when newly introduced. I put six through QT, added them to my display ..... and didn't see a single one for two weeks. Then, one day, all six were out and about. I still have 5 three years later.

I get that the fish are timid, but just the laying on the ground and weird movements made me think it was sick. I only have 1 in the tank, guess I should have gotten at least 2.
 
I have one in my QT right now. I see what you're saying about it being on it's side sometimes with it tail/spine curved. I figured that's just the fish's habits, mine will sometimes swim on it's side. But, if he gets spooked, he'll dart away. Mine tends to sleep in a corner behind the PVC's.
I'm going to do a water change and do a second round of Prazipro this weekend, before introducing him to the display.
I'm curious to see how he'll react to the new environment, I'm sure he'll like it much better than that boring qt.
 

Similar threads

Back
Top