Sporadic floating and resting?

**LittleRainbow** · 01-05-2013, 04:56 PM

So, yesterday I had to do a nearly complete water change when I had to move my tank and now one of my fish is acting really unusual. He will lay on the bottom or on top of one of the ornaments I have and not move or he will stop moving upside down or on his side. He swims fine except for these random stops, is eating fine as well. It's really sporadic as he is otherwise acting fine He has never had any issues before and I've had him for about a year. He's a red tailed shark. He did get a little nip on one of his fins when he was floating and was nudged by another fish. Doesn't seem to be bothering him at all though. I'm just wondering what could be the issue as I haven't had a problem with this before :/

**Goes to 11!** · 01-05-2013, 06:05 PM

Not sure about his swimming oddly..

As for the nipping, Is this the 38G bowfront with the dinosaur bichir in it from here?

**LittleRainbow** · 01-05-2013, 09:05 PM

It is the tank with the bichir. Good memory :) I'm pretty sure the odd behavior is just a mild case of shock since he seems to have improved. I'm pretty sure the nipping was from him but I don't think it was an "aggressive" moment. The oddly acting fish has been floating on his side and got pushed a little by the bichir. Never saw his mouth open but I'm pretty sure thats when it was.

**fishmommie** · 01-05-2013, 09:50 PM

Did some reading on both your bircher and your red tail shark. I think this has already been pointed out on another thread but... they should not be together. sooner or later the bircher will kill the shark.
The red tail should be in a minimum of 55 gallon tank. The bircher - the same but not the same tank.
Realize funds are tight but have you thought of looking on craig's list? you can get some real deal there.

As for swimming oddly - would it be possible he was injured by the bircher when you drained the tank?
another possibility is that your tap ph may differ from your tank ph and could have been enough to shock him. If you did not manage to replace the water with the same temp as in the tank that could also have shocked him.
just some thoughts.
hope you can get 2 larger tanks soon or rehome those fish where they have the proper amount of room.
good luck