AboutRon Coleman Expertise I am an expert on cichlid fishes, particularly New World cichlids. My broader expertise includes the behavior, ecology and reproduction of fishes in general. (I am NOT an expert on Goldfish. Please do not ask me questions about why your goldfish are sick -- they are almost always sick due to the way that they are sold). Also, please do not use abbreviations, such as "my GT has a swollen
eye" because I don't know what a "GT" is. The more clearly you can explain your question, the better chance I have of understanding what it is that you seek. Thanks.
Experience I teach at the California State University, Sacramento in the Department of Biological Sciences, and I run a website, called the Cichlid Research Home Page . I also write for many popular aquarist magazines, and I am editor of Cichlid News magazine. I am a scientist and I spend my time teaching fish biology, ecology, behavior and evolution and doing research on the reproductive biology of fishes, particularly cichlids. I do research in the laboratory and in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Mexico. My main interest is understanding the evolution of parental care in fishes. I am interested in encouraging greater public awareness, understanding and participation in science.
Organizations belong to American Cichlid Association, Pacific Coast Cichlid Association, American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, etc
Publications Cichlid News, Tropical Fish Hobbyist, Freshwater and Marine Aquarium, Science, Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology, Copeia, Canadian Journal of Zoology, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, AUK, Environmental Biology of Fishes
Expert: Ron Coleman Date: 6/3/2008 Subject: No answer?
Question Hi Ron. I asked a question a few days ago, and you told me that you already answered my question. I didn't get an answer through my email, and I can't find it on here. Was it possibly sent to the wrong email? I messed my email up on here (there was a 2 in it) and maybe that's why I never got the email? I need to know the answer to my question, but I don't know how to get it. This is the only way I knew how to contact you as well..
Answer Hi Julzy,
Sorry about the confusion, here is what I have in my records:
Subject: Sinking Betta?
Question: I have this veiltail Betta, he's about a year, or just over. He has a 1.5 gallon tank. Lately, he's been sinking to the bottom, tail first, whenever he goes for air or food. He struggles to get the air, or the food, and finally just gives up and lets himself sink.
I noticed on his tail (since it's white) that theres a greyish blue stuff on it. I don't know if it's a growth or just discoloration, since it's new and never used to be there. He's healthy and all, and usually swims into his plants so they can hold him up. Any idea about whats wrong with him? It doesn't seem like his swim bladder... Is it possible his tail is too heavy or something? And what can I do to fix him?
Answer: Hi Julzy,
Is the greyish stuff on the end or all over the tail?
I assume that there are no other fish in the tank, right?
-- Ron
rcoleman@cichlidresearch.com
Cichlid Research Home Page <http://cichlidresearch.com>
