sandyf
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
- Joined
- May 12, 2011
- Messages
- 29
I have a 90 gallon community tank. The other day I was putting some squash in for my pleco and noticed the water was really warm. I looked at the heater and it had somehow gotten bumped up and the water was almost 84 degrees. I have no idea how it happened but I think I caught it just in time. All the fish were acting strange but one redline torpedo barb was really in distress. I immediately did a 25% water change bringing the water to 80 degrees and did everything I could to reoxygenate the water. Everyone recovered quickly except for the barb. He struggles to swim horizontally (he's actually vertical most of the time) and he swims with a really jerky motion every couple seconds. I didn't think he'd make it but 48 hours later and he's the same. What can I do for the poor thing? When I fed he appeared to try to eat but I'm afraid he's going to starve to death. Should I euthanize him? I don't want him to suffer but I don't want to put him out of his misery if there's a chance he'll recover. Do fish get brain damage from lack of oxygen? Thanks for feedback!
