15 inch Red Devil...Help!

[twhittle]

I just picked up a healthy 15 inch massive Red Devil. Right after he got home he started swimming funny. He is swimming with his head pointed downward and his tail to the top. Any ideas, and what can I do? I have him isolated in a hospital tank at the moment. I really don't want to lose this beast.

 

[knifegill]

Are the water conditions very different from his old home? You could try temporarily adjusting your water conditions. Ask the previous keeper how much salt they were using. Are there any old meds in the Q tank, anything like that?

 

[uncwnells]

did you acclimate him? are your lights extremely bright? any chance of injury during transport?

 

[twhittle]

It was quite a lengthy drive home with him, but I don't think he was injured. I tried my best to acclimate him. I shut the lights off. I actually started him in the 240, but moved him to the Q tank after others were messing with him. Any ideas on what he has?

 

[armac]

Big fish act like that sometimes, I have a 12 inch dovi that I keep in a different tank, when I moved him he went into that tail up position for a while. Just make sure he is feeding, after you have given him some time to settle down.

 

[Red Devil]

How is he now?

 

[twhittle]

How is he now?

He is still swimming upside down. I have him isolated in a 20 gallon hospital tank. Is this swim bladder? If so, is there anything I can do?

 

[greenterra]

He is still swimming upside down. I have him isolated in a 20 gallon hospital tank. Is this swim bladder? If so, is there anything I can do?

Sounds like the same thing I had with my big jag. He seemed to suffer from a swim bladder disorder after having him out of the tank to measure him. He came good after a couple of weeks. I wondered if he had somehow swallowed air in the handling process. Hope your guy comes good.

 

[twhittle]

Thanks. Here's hoping.

 

[uncwnells]

maybe the stress from the repeated moves, the long drive the other fish picking on him and you not acclimating the water before putting it into your tank has him acting funny. I hope he pulls through! Good Luck!