|
A darting or erratic swimming fish in your aquarium is usually a sign of trouble. Darting is usually a signal that your fish is in distress, and indicates that something is wrong in the tank or with the fish itself, and should be checked out immediately.
Checking the water quality is usually the best place to start, especially if any or all of the following behaviors are observed among your fish - gasping, excess mucous, attempting to jump out of the tank, darting around rapidly, hovering near the bottom, skin inflammation or changes in color. Usually these symptoms are a sign of toxicity or unstable pH levels within the tank. A stable pH level should be between 6.0 and 8.0. A pH level lower than 6.0 can lead to skin irritations and discoloration, and pH higher than 8.0 can cause the skin and gills to erode. There are commercial products available at most pet supply stores to help stabilize pH within the tank.
Another issue which may cause darting or other changes in behavior are parasites. Velvet (Oodinium) is a parasite which attacks the body of the fish and is extremely contagious. Velvet can be characterized by darting, flashing or scraping against the aquarium. Velvet looks like a fine yellowish or white powder on the skin, and can also be accompanied by gasping or clamped fins. If you suspect that Velvet has infected your fish, you should immediately remove it from the tank to a quarantine tank until the issue is resolved. The main cause of Velvet, once again, is usually poor water quality, including sudden temperature changes within the tank. Velvet can be fatal if not treated, and commercial treatments are available. It is also advised that increasing water temperature, and administering salt baths can prove helpful in the treatment of Velvet.
Flukes, another form of parasite, can also cause darting, erratic swimming, jumping out of the tank, and rubbing up against the tank. Flukes are tiny worms which attach to and infect the fish, near the gills. Flukes are not harmful to fish, if treated early. If left untreated, Flukes can multiply and become difficult to manage. Once again, commercial treatments such as Potassium Permanganate or Fluke Tablets are available and using a salt dip over the course of several days is recommended.
Paying close attention to any changes in the behaviors of your fish is of the utmost importance in maintaining a healthy aquarium. Most issues can be resolved if caught quickly and treated in a timely manner. Behavioral changes, such as an erratic or darting fish, almost always signals that something is causing stress and needs to be addressed.
|
|
|
Fish Breeds 
Fish Behavior - Socialization 
Digg
Del.icio.us
Reddit
Yahoo
Spurl
Google
Information
