So we have two flame tetras that continually sink. They can't swim horizontally because the back half seems to weigh them down. They eraticly swim up, it looks like they jump. There are seven flame tetras all together but only the two seem to be swimming funny. They live with four zebra danios and three corys in a 20 gallon tank. Any idea what could be wrong?

i would say check out the pinned thread in this forum on fish diseases. my guess would be possible swim bladder problem?

Thanks for your help. That last post was actually me, but I forgot to sign out and log into mine before posting.

I was looking around and actually don't see where it talks about this. If you could offer an idea on how this can be treated or prevented next time or where I could read about this. Thanks.

Swim bladder problems...


It's VERY rare for regular fish to recover from it. Just try to do frequent water changes and hope for the best.

here's a link to the thread. disease sticky the second link in this thread by Tolak is where i found it. it has a link to recomended treatments as well.

Regular fish meaning small schooling fish like I have?

Fish like bettas and gouramis can recover from it. Others very rarely can.

I was watching our tank tonight and realized one of the tetras bodies is bent and he very quickly sinks to the bottom. He swam to the top successfully once for about a second and then floated back down and the whole time he's shaking, or swimming very rigidly I guess. I can't stand to take him out before he dies. Does this still sound like a swim blatter problem or anything that might be contagious? All the others look fine and the second fish that was sinking doesn't seem to be anymore.

Thanks.

When was your last water change and what are the current paramaters?

Is this tank in the same house as the tank with the white things?