Ok my irridescent shark won't swim or anything and is in a community tank, he only moves if he's touched by another fish and usually returns tot he same spot he was at. He's breathing very slowly and is barely eting what should i do?
2007-03-17 06:47:31 · 5 answers · asked by tjkeil@sbcglobal.net 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Let me guess - this is a young fish (around 3 inches or less) and he's fairly new to your tank? This is his only problem.
Young iridescents aren't comfortable unless they are in a group of their own species. When they're uncomfortable, they're going to "play dead". Good survival instinct in the wild, maybe, but pretty upsetting for an owner to see in his tank. I once worked in a fish store that sold these (more about this later), and after one experience, I learned to warn potential buyers of this before i ever netted their fish. One woman asked to get one. I put one in a bag, and he almost immediately went over on his side breathing heavily. She thought something was wrong with the fish (or I had hurt it getting it out) and wanted another. I put the first one back and netted a second. A few seconds later, he goes "belly up" while the first is now swimming around happily with his buddies. A few rounds of this convinced her to just keep the one she had out, regardless of how it acted.
Now, before you go out and buy your fish some friends, be aware that they will be more solitary as they mature. They also have the capability of growing to be several feet long in the wild, and will possibly reach 18" in an aquarium. These really aren't a fish to be kept in a small tank, and should only be sold to a buyer who is aware of their adult size and behavior.
See link for more info: http://www.centralpets.com/animals/fish/freshwater_fish/fwf4491.html
2007-03-17 09:37:38 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If in a community tank, are you sure it is a male? It could be a female shark nursing. It is probably a territorial thing, if it had problems with another male shark. Move it into isolation with a female shark for a while and see what happens.
2007-03-17 06:58:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
First thing that comes to my mind is temperature. Be sure the tank is warm enough for him. You might also cut back on the lighting a bit to see if that could be stressing him out some. As long as he is eating some and you see no signs of disease or anything there really isn't much else to do or to go on.
MM
2007-03-17 06:53:21 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
check water parameters (ammonia, nitrate, nitrite), and temperature in the tank. when was your last water change?
iridescent sharks will potentially grow to 2-3ft long, are you going to be able to keep him long term?
2007-03-17 07:23:51 · answer #4 · answered by catx 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
im sorry to say but it might be on its last fins.
2007-03-17 06:52:35 · answer #5 · answered by j. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋