Hi All,
I have 4 diamond flame tetra as part of a community tank (5 serpae tetra, 5 green X-ray tetra, 4 chain loaches/chipmunk bottia). I’ve had these particular fish for about 6 months. 3 of the 4 DF tetra are swimming funny, and have been for a while (signs shown since a few weeks after purchase). They were drip-acclimated to an established tank and, other than living with other tetra, haven’t had a particularly stressful existence while in my care. I wasn’t aware of this forum until today and am so glad to find a space to ask about this! The vendor I got them from has fobbed me off whenever I’ve asked about this issue (I won’t be going back).
When the affected fish move from A to B, they swim in a diagonal position with their nose to the air. It’s like their back ends can’t quite keep up with them. They seem to need to put a bit more effort in to swim this way, but have absolutely no problem swimming about for long periods, feeding at the top of the tank, etc. At rest they float in the normal horizontal position without issue. I can’t see any obvious spine curvature. I do not remember them swimming this way when I bought them. Neither the remaining DF tetra or any other fish in my tank do this. Tank water parameters are fine and the tank is not/has never been at all overstocked
Have I got 3 DF tetras with defects, or should I be treating them for something?
Thank you!
I have 4 diamond flame tetra as part of a community tank (5 serpae tetra, 5 green X-ray tetra, 4 chain loaches/chipmunk bottia). I’ve had these particular fish for about 6 months. 3 of the 4 DF tetra are swimming funny, and have been for a while (signs shown since a few weeks after purchase). They were drip-acclimated to an established tank and, other than living with other tetra, haven’t had a particularly stressful existence while in my care. I wasn’t aware of this forum until today and am so glad to find a space to ask about this! The vendor I got them from has fobbed me off whenever I’ve asked about this issue (I won’t be going back).
When the affected fish move from A to B, they swim in a diagonal position with their nose to the air. It’s like their back ends can’t quite keep up with them. They seem to need to put a bit more effort in to swim this way, but have absolutely no problem swimming about for long periods, feeding at the top of the tank, etc. At rest they float in the normal horizontal position without issue. I can’t see any obvious spine curvature. I do not remember them swimming this way when I bought them. Neither the remaining DF tetra or any other fish in my tank do this. Tank water parameters are fine and the tank is not/has never been at all overstocked
Have I got 3 DF tetras with defects, or should I be treating them for something?
Thank you!