About Christy Expertise I can answer some questions regarding freshwater fish ranging from their care to diagnosing common diseases or problems with the fish. I can also answer questions regarding the care and maintenance of an aquarium. I haven't had much luck with live plants, so can't help in that area very much. Not real good with explaining salt water or brackish set ups too well either. Also regarding goldfish, I have some comets, and have a little experience with them but mostly just general info on them. I AM NOT THAT FAMILIAR WITH ANY OF THE FANCY VARIETIES OF GOLDFISH. YOU MIGHT BE BETTER DIRECTING THOSE QUERIES TO AN EXPERT MORE FAMILIAR WITH THEM. If I can't answer or don't know something, I'll let you know, so don't be upset if I reject your question, I'll always explain why. I would just rather not answer then give an answer I'm not confident about.
Experience All personal, first hand, general fishkeeping experience. I've had fresh water aquariums now for about 7 years. I've had tropical/community fish tanks, African cichlids, South American cichlids, brackish water puffer fish, and a lot of other varieties in between.
Education/Credentials None, all personal experience
I have a red tail shark and he seem to scratch himself against rock on its side.
I noticed this for a a few week already but he eats fine, swim well and always
move around happily. The water condition is fine (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
level OK). Change water every 2 weeks. This is a 50 gallon tank and he is the
biggest and most aggressive fish but he gets along fine with all my other
fishes. Just a day ago I found him hiding which is not normal of him. I also
notice something strange a few ago, he stood still while he let a small guppy
nibble at his side.
His body looks fine. No strange mark or anything. It is pure black as always,
the tail is red and nothing is torn, no white dots. His hiding and not swimming
seem like a bad sign to me. What could it be and how should I treat it?
Thanks,
Tom.
Answer Hi Tom
You said the water conditions are ok....make sure ammonia and nitrites are at 0 ppm, and nitrates under 20 ppm. Those are really the only acceptable levels, even though some test kits and stores will say a small amount of ammonia or nitrites is fine, but it's not the case. Also make sure your ph isn't fluctuating, and make sure it's in the 6.0-8.0 range. Ammonia or nitrites present can irritate their skin, and so can fluctuating or low ph-and that's true for all fish not just RT sharks. So, this is the easiest to rule out, so check that first.
My next thought is a parasite infection, which would obviously need an antiparasite medication. Since he's the only one showing symptoms, probably best moving him to a separate tank and treating him there if you can. Otherwise, just treat him in the main tank. But, those are common symptoms of parasites as well. There's numerous parasites/protozoans that can infect the fish-ich which may not be showing just yet, velvet, flukes, costia, etc. Since you're not seeing ich/white spots which is probably the most common, try turning out the light and shine a flash light on the fish and look for a yellow powdery dusting on the fish-that would be velvet which can be difficult to spot on some fish.
