royal gramma is still flashing

hooked · 03-06-2002, 09:17 PM

Hello all,

Can anyone help me with this royal and his flashing? I have tried a few products called Melafix and OrganiCure. Well, he is still flashing. He seems to be healthy, eatting good and doesn't look to be damaged. I did a partial water change also. I stopped using them products because I was told they could be bad for my shrimp and starfish. I since have taking my prizm skimmer off because its not working due to many micro bubbles going into the tank. My LFS told me the micro bubbles were from the MelaFix. What can I do?

Thanks
Jim

Alice · 03-07-2002, 10:36 AM

No signs of ich (spots) or any other ailments? Not breathing hard or hanging face first into the current in front of the powerheads? No blotchy looking areas on the skin?

pH and Alkalinity levels in line?

Is your shrimp a cleaner? Does the royal gramma visit the "cleaning station?"

Just trying to narrow things down a bit.

Alice

scotty · 03-07-2002, 11:15 AM

Is flashing always a sign of something bad? Can it be flashing at its reflection or at another fish with similar morphology or coloration? Can it be flashing as a defensive posture for territory? Sorry if this is a silly question about Grammas, I just raise Tropheus cichlids and they flash for all sorts of reasons...

Spanky · 03-07-2002, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Is flashing always a sign of something bad?

Hi Scotty,

"flashing" generally refers to the fish scratching it's sides on something and is most always the result of something irritating it's skin. It could be parasites, bacterial infection, viral, fungal, ammonia/nitrite burn, Ph problems, accumulative effects of nitrate, well, anything that would irritate their skin.
Aggressive displays in grammas are usually met head on and wouldn't involve any type of "flashing".

HTH
Jerel

hooked · 03-07-2002, 11:25 AM

Hello, I checked my ph its at 8.0, everything seems to be at 0. My salinity is about 1.023. I do have a cleaner shrimp in tank but he never checks in for his appointments. He looks ok, no spots, fungus, cuts, or anything else. He didn't do it when I first got him but does it all the time. Mostly he is flashing on the rocks. I would say he flashes about every 10 minutes. Is this ok or should I be alarmed?

Thanks Jim

Spanky · 03-07-2002, 12:15 PM

Jim,

All your water params seem to be in check, so I would suspect parasites.

Do you still have the clownfish? and he's OK? Does the gramma seem to scratch on one side only?

hooked · 03-07-2002, 12:40 PM

Hello Spanky,

The clown fish, lemonpeel, and firefish are all doing great. I do see him flashing on his right side more then the left. You think it could be parasites then? My cleaner shrimp has only been in the tank for 2 weeks so maybe the royal isn't ready to play nice with him yet.

Jim

Spanky · 03-07-2002, 12:51 PM

Hummmm! You have some major parasite magnets in there (clown, angel). I would think if it was a big parasite problem, you'd know it!

He might just have some sort of superficial damage (sciatica?) going on, could just be a nervous twitch too.

I would keep an eye on him and the others for a while, if nothing developed, I'd forget about it.

HTH
Jerel

hooked · 03-07-2002, 04:45 PM

Spanky,

So the clown fish and firefish have a history for parisites? It's been going on for over 2 weeks, guess I won't worry about it any more. Got any suggestions for meds to put into tank? Something that won't hurt the shrimp and star??

Thanks Jim

asmith · 03-07-2002, 05:13 PM

I wouldn't medicate the tank. If it is still eating well, you may consider soaking it's food in Garlic oil and selcon. That should help boost it's immune system and help it to fight off disease and parasites. Medication is always my last option.

Andrew

Big Dave · 03-07-2002, 07:42 PM

I second the garlic and selcon. definitely worth the money, not too expensive though.

Well, one good thing - with your gramma flashing, you know if it's a boy or girl!! lmao

sorry, bad joke...

-Big Dave

hooked · 03-08-2002, 08:44 AM

Quote:

you may consider soaking it's food in Garlic oil and selcon

Can I do this with my frozen brine shrimp, just let it soak in a cup before feeding? Also can all the fish eat it? Do most pet stores have this garlic oil and selcon? How long do I soak it??

Quote:

Well, one good thing - with your gramma flashing, you know if it's a boy or girl!! lmao

How do you tell the sex by flashing? LOL, jk

Thanks all

Jim

Alice · 03-08-2002, 10:41 AM

Some LFS carry Selcon; otherwise you may have to order it online. You can get water-soluble liquid garlic at health food stores; it's the easiest to use.

Soak the food for 5-10 minutes before feeding. You may want to mix your own fish/coral food in the blender or try feeding the frozen Formula One cubes; brine shrimp aren't that nutritious although since fish like to gobble it up, it's good for getting them to take their medicine

Alice