Update on deformed tiger barb

[fishmonger]

I'm new to having fish. One of my deformed tiger barbs has started acting weird. He sits at the bottom or top away from everyone and is breathing hard. I also noticed his eyes seem to pop out. But when i put some food in, he came to eat like normal. Should I take him out of the tank away from the other fish? I need help...

10 gallon tank cycling for about 3 weeks with 2 giant danios and 3 tiger barbs. Barbs were bought from petsmart about a week ago. I feed them twice a day and change 10% of the water every week. I don't know the water parameters.

 

[FawnN]

You definitely need to run out ASAP and get a test kit for Ammonia, NitrItes and NitrAtes and then test your water.

IMO, it sounds like your tiger barb is under a lot stress and has popeye. The breathing hard is an indication that he is lacking O2, probably from high ammonia levels.

I personally think that 10% weekly water changes is not enough, especially during your cycling process. When was the last time you vacummed your gravel?

In the meantime, I suggest you do a 20% water change on your tank, with a vacumming of your gravel and lower the water level in your tank to create a bigger splash. The splash at the surface will provide more O2 for your barb.

 

[fishmonger]

Is there any coincidence that the deformed fish is not feeling well? Can the popeye spread to the other fish? And lastly, if I can get my water corrected(if that is the problem) can my fish get better?

 

[Menagerie]

And lastly, if I can get my water corrected(if that is the problem) can my fish get better?

Once the tank is cycled, the fish will be less stressed. Aside from that, ammonia and nitrite are deadly to fish.

I feed them twice a day and change 10% of the water every week.

Fish do not need that much food. Once a day is more than enough, everyother day is better

Is there any coincidence that the deformed fish is not feeling well?

With the deformity, he may have a weakened immune system. If he does have popeye, that is a symptom of something else--often a bacterial infection.
Try looking through these sites for what is wrong with the barb:
http://www.aquatronicsonline.com/hobbyist/hobbyist3.htm
http://www.aqualink.com/disease/sdisease.html#ich
http://fish.mongabay.com/diseases.htm
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/AqBizSubWebIndex/fishdisho.htm

Also, read up on the nitrogen cycle in the articles section.

 

[fishmonger]

Thanks menagerie!!

You always help

 

[fishmonger]

Thanks fawn as well, I changed the water and lowered the level. Hope this helps.

 

[Menagerie]

How is the barb doing? Are any of the other fish acting odd?

 

[fishmonger]

Actually, I did what fawn said and lowered the water level so the filter makes more of a splash and gives them more oxygen. The barb seems to be doing alot better. I'm also going to feed them only once a day for a while too. Now if I can stop that female danio from terrorizing the barbs and the male danio.

 

[FawnN]

I'm happy to hear your barb is doing much better. Just remember to keep up with your water changes. Good clean water is the best prevention of diseases coming back.

 

[fishmonger]

Thanks fawn. I appreciate everyone's help.