u/coagulatedcum

A follow up from my previous post, tank light was off for the night but turned it on briefly to check on them, noticed that one ember tetra was swimming similarly to the ember tetra that died from my previous post. I suspect that the first tetra died because it had accidentally eaten a bloodworm that was intended for my gourami, I have not fed bloodworm in that tank since to avoid this issue.

I’ve noticed that on days that I feed the tetras, which is the smallest amount imaginable, some display these bloat issues. On days where I’ve chosen to fast, they don’t. There’s been days where one will show bloat issues, and by the next morning they are fine again. Today they were fed daphnia and have been swimming fine all evening when I’ve looked, but one has now started swimming as shown in the video.

Does anyone with experience owning ember tetras know what is causing this? Just for information sake, there’s 12 tetras with 1 honey gourami female and 2 otocinclus. My parameters are, 0 nitrites, 20 nitrates, 0 ammonia and PH is 7.5.

I have a 55L with 1 honey gourami, 13 ember tetras and 2 otocinclus. Tank is cycled and parameters have been consistent: 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and around the lower side of 20 nitrates with frequent water changes.

Last night I had a single ember tetra remove itself schooling with other fish, hidden against the glass on the side of the tank. I did parameter checks which came back clear and did a water change just incase. I observed it for a while and realised it had some buoyancy issues, I briefly put it in a separate tub to observe and the issue was a lot worse. It barrel rolled, swam upside down and seemingly was half dead. I assumed it was a bloat issue so I returned it to the tank as it had more ease in the larger body of water but when I checked this morning it was dead. I checked it over and there were no signs of inflammation, pigmentation or lesions and I am willing to share an image of the fish if it aids in resolving my issue.

I did a 50% water change this morning but noticed that my honey gourami started doing the same seemingly involuntary tilting and curling. I’ve looked up whirling disease and other causes for this and as an emergency cope I have used NT Labs anti internal bacteria for the chance it is bacterial, I also have ordered API melafix.

I’ve tried to record this movement but weirdly she hasn’t done it much since, otherwise acting fairly normal. I’ve noticed another tetra periodically moving away from schooling but I’m not sure if I’m looking too much into this now.

Has anyone experienced this and what was the outcome? Please give me any advice or questions that will resolve or help.

Thank you!

Issues with ember tetras in tank (follow up).