Princess has clamped fins, lethargic....

[Ianthe]

Not sure what is going on with him....Cinderella is being kept in the exact same conditions and is doing great. We have had him about 2 months...he is in a filtered, heated, 2.5 gallon, water change once or twice a week. Ammonia tested at zero this evening. He eats Hikari pellets, 3 in the morning and 3 at night, and the occasional bloodworm.

Over the last week or so he his fins have gotten very clamped and he just lays on the bottom of his tank most of the time. He can swim fine, he just seems tired.

His appetite is still great, though!

Any ideas?

[Kytkattin]

It sounds like you are overfeeding him. They really do not need much food at all, and could probably be fed half of what he is and still be fine (though do this slowly, 5 pellets tomorrow, 4 the day after that, etc). Does he look bloated? Or does he still seem skinny despite all of the food?

What is the temp of the tank?

[Ianthe]

No, he does not seem bloated at all....His tank is 78 degrees.

[Sakura8]

Have you shown him Cinderella? If I recall, he seemed like he might have been depressed after Bait died and you were wondering if he was lonely.

Also, does he seem like he is skinny and not gaining any weight?

[Ianthe]

Yeah, he has seen him, he did perk up at first and will occasionally flare at him, etc, but not much. No, he isn't skinny...

[Sakura8]

I'm still wondering if you should treat him for parasites, just in case. I'm concerned that he's eating well and yet still listless. If you can find them, get the Jungle Labs Anti-Parasite Medicated Pellets, otherwise see if you can find Jungle Labs Tank Buddies Parasite Fizz Tabs. I know neither Petsmart nor Petco near me carry them but the Petclub does - problem is the only Petclub around is in Elk Grove, the rest are in the Bay Area. One of the local aquarium stores may have them, too. I'm pretty sure I saw them at Jo-Jo's Aquarium on Stockton Blvd. Sorry, I haven't been to any LFS that are closer to you. :/

[Ianthe]

I'll keep an eye out, thanks! We are going to Reno tomorrow, maybe somewhere there will have them LOL

[Sakura8]

Have fun in Reno.

[Ianthe]

Thanks, we are going to the Aces game :)

[Sakura8]

Sounds like a lot of fun.