Flagtail Prochilodus never moving

[Janeha]

Hello everyone, I have a Flagtail (taeniurus) about 10 Inch. Problem with him is he will almost never move, is this normal? He eats just fine, algae Wafers and flakes, feeds on Bottom and sometimes surface, but he seems kinda tired and unmotivated, he stays near the bottom in one place for hours, occassionaly darting to the other side of the tank and stays there doing nothing too.
Tank is 150 gallons, no nitrite or ammonia or anything. Only thing is a while ago i was treating the tank due to cotton wool disease (Clown Loach brought it in) but it healed quickly. I did several water changes afterwards.
Apart from a few plecos and a bichir they are the only fish in the tank.
I'd appreciate any advice/help, thanks guys

 

[Go_redfish]

What about nitrates, ph and what not? What meds did you use to treat? What was his behavior like before the introduction of the new fish? Flag tails are usually pretty active fish. Bottom sitting and suddened darting indicate a fish in stress

Not to sound like a butthole but this why quarentining new fish is highly advised.

 

[Janeha]

Hi,
Nitrates about 25, Ph 7. I've treated them with Sera Bactopur (mostly the Malachite green stuff) I only recently got him, about 8 days ago, the first 2 days he seemed more active and wasn't afraid of me, then for whatever reason (i changed nothing in the tank) he got shy and would keep darting around, and is suddenly afraid of anything moving outside of the tank including me. You do absolutely not sound like a butthole, I would usually do that but my quarantine tank is currently out of order, was my own fault for taking the risk. Thanks for your reply btw

 

[Go_redfish]

So I've read all the instructions and and ingredients in this med. It is my opinion based on personal experience that a heavy duty med like this one can disrupt the cycle of the tank. It is likely that he could be responding to fluctuations in water quality. Plus he sounds fairly new to the tank himself so there is a new personality to fit into the pecking order. It might not sound like much but can be greatly stressful for the fish.
Hine sight is always 20/20. A medicinal dose of aquarium salt would have treated the issue brought in by the loach without disrupting the cycle. It would treat it a little slower but more gently.
Heavy meds do have a place in the hobby but shouldn't be the first thing we reach for. Others are welcome to jump in and offer alternative opinions because while I have been at this for a long time, I don't know everything.
Keep the water quality stable and reduce stress and Id wager he will get right.

 

[tlindsey]

So I've read all the instructions and and ingredients in this med. It is my opinion based on personal experience that a heavy duty med like this one can disrupt the cycle of the tank. It is likely that he could be responding to fluctuations in water quality. Plus he sounds fairly new to the tank himself so there is a new personality to fit into the pecking order. It might not sound like much but can be greatly stressful for the fish.
Hine sight is always 20/20. A medicinal dose of aquarium salt would have treated the issue brought in by the loach without disrupting the cycle. It would treat it a little slower but more gently.
Heavy meds do have a place in the hobby but shouldn't be the first thing we reach for. Others are welcome to jump in and offer alternative opinions because while I have been at this for a long time, I don't know everything.
Keep the water quality stable and reduce stress and Id wager he will get right.

Welcome aboard

 

[Janeha]

Hi, i wanted to thank you again for your help, i've done another big water change yesterday and today he is acting much better. Let's hope he keeps recovering at this rate. Have a nice weekend!

 

[Go_redfish]

Hi, i wanted to thank you again for your help, i've done another big water change yesterday and today he is acting much better. Let's hope he keeps recovering at this rate. Have a nice weekend!

Glad to hear he seems to be recovering. I logged on just now specifically to ask how he was doing today. You must read minds lol

 

[Janeha]

Haha, shh the others must not know

 

[tlindsey]

I suggest maintaining a consistent weekly water change routine. Most members do 50% or more. Don't forget to add a dechlorinator during water changes such as Seachem Prime. Never clean your bio media with tap water it will kill your live beneficial bacteria. Clean bio media in aquarium water you have removed during water change.