Gar acting weird please help

**Bennlfer** · 12-30-2009, 06:08 AM

Hey my Gar has been acting weird lately. Three days ago while i was feeding my fish, i looked over and saw him on his back spazzing out!

I was so scared and didn't know what to do, so i just grabbed my net and flipped him back over and waited. He corrected himself after a few minutes and resumed eating. I thought he choked on a big piece of shrimp, so i started cutting the shrimps in smaller pieces. Tonight when i fed him some shrimp, he went for it but missed and ended up on his back again, but this time he was calm.

I flipped him over again and he was ok after a minute or so. Later on during the same feeding, he almost flipped over again going for another piece!

But he released the shrimp instead and corrected himself. He has been more lazy than usual (not crashed, just lazy) and is eating a bit less. Not too much less, but noticeable.

What do you think all this could be? Please help me as i love my gar very much and i want to do everything i can to help him. Thanks a bunch.

**gm72** · 12-30-2009, 11:39 AM

I'll start by saying that I'm not comfortable with that number of fish of that size in a 135 gallon tank. Besides that though, does the fish have any overt signs of injury?

**Crispy** · 12-30-2009, 11:52 AM

You might want to look into a swim bladder problem. I'm not sure on the symptoms, but this link will help you figure out if it's possibly the cause maybe. I would want the best for my gar too! Best of luck with him.

http://www.petfish.net/articles/Bett...dder_betta.php

**Bennlfer** · 12-30-2009, 12:03 PM

No signs of Injury.. Thanks Crispy

**Bennlfer** · 12-31-2009, 01:09 AM

Now he is crashed...

He cant really swim straight anymore. He tips to the sides. Should i quarantine him?

**Oscar_freak12321** · 12-31-2009, 01:24 AM

I would. That's just me though.

**Demjor19** · 01-03-2010, 03:21 PM

Spinal injury is the first thing that comes to my mind. Small gar + large tank = spinal injury in so many cases. I would need some dorsal and lateral pics of the fish to confirm...or even a video. This is why I always say "raise small gars in smaller tanks". Gars are one of the few cases where you can actually give them too much room.

A swim bladder infection is also a strong possibility. Either way the prognosis isn't very possitive.

I hope the fish pulls through for you! Keep us updated.

p.s. sorry for the late reply. I was away for the holidays and just got your pm today.