fish losing balance

[tech1]

Hello all. I have a pseudochromis and a black clown that are losing their equilibrium. The pseudochromis stays in a rock with its head downward, and the black clown swims with its head straight down and tail up. (It didn't normally act like this). The only changes have been a salt water change week and a half ago, and a cleaner shrimp added last thursday. No water with the shrimp was added. Salinity at 1.019, which normally stays there, temp 80. Any info. would be great.

thanks

[Ninong]

If you had only one fish with this problem, I would be inclined to say that it's probably a swim bladder malady but having two this way at the same time might indicate some other sort of problem, either pathogenic or possibly even something else wrong with your water. I really don't know but the main reason I responded was to suggest that you raise your specific gravity from 1.019 to at least 1.023 if this is a fish-only aquarium and 1.024 - 1.026 if it is a reef tank. That would definitely be a more healthy environment regardless of whatever other problems you may be having right now.

Good luck!

[tech1]

psuedochromis died, underneath its abdomen looked like a dark bloody streak. could this be bacterial?, what would you use (antibiotic)? thanks

water no NH3
no nitrite
ph little low 7.9

[Ninong]

I really have no idea what the problem could be. If you have a reef tank, you should remove the fish to a separate hospital tank for any antibiotic therapy. You might find something helpful on Robert Fenner's site: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mardisindex.htm