Is my Raphael sick?

[richkid]

Checked the water. Parameters are normal 0-0~20. He's just hovering up in a corner. Constantly swimming up but just staying at the surface. All the other occupants are acting normal. I did recently add a jewel cichlid I'm not sure if there is the possibility of some unseen aggression?


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[richkid]

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[thebiggerthebetter]

Something must be very wrong. It should be hiding all day. If the cichlid was the only change, then one could suppose it brought with it a parasite or a bacteria/virus that's affecting the raph. The photos are not great but it does not strike me as healthy looking. Nothing obvious yet, no notable redness/inflammation but the mucus layer appears uneven = sign of stress.

Other possibilities are to check pH, temp, and adequacy of aeration.

The more aggression these fish experience the more they jam into their lair; it becomes impossible to get them out. Does it have a safe hiding spot?

 

[richkid]

It does appear pink. There are two they both would hide roam the bottom. Never the top. Now he's still up there. What should I do?


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[thebiggerthebetter]

Quarantine. Get good photos. Post in the medical section and here too, I suppose?

 

[knifegill]

Is there any salt in the water? Cave disputes?

 

[richkid]

No salt. Possible cave disputes but he appears to be breathing fast. Of course this happens as soon as the heater in my qt goes. Smh idk what to do with him.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

It looks deadly serious. Again, I'd get good photos, even if I had to fish him out into a small photo tank. Shooting in the dark, I'd say this is bacterial or viral. If he has red(dish) spots, streaks, etc. here and there on his body or over some body parts, it could be related to hemorrhagic septicemia.