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I have been doing regular partial water changes for Crusoe since I got him, trying to begin a fish-in cycle. The filter has not yet arrived but I have read that in the mean-time, beneficial bacteria will grow in the gravel substrate. I did two 25% water changes in the past few days and a 50% water change today. Each time, though, I notice he acts funny after I replace his water.
I replace the same amount of water, about the same temperature each time. I add Prime before pouring the new water into the tank. After the new water is in the tank, he swims slightly erratically against the side of the tank. Right now he is swimming in circles along the front wall of his tank or darting forward. This is not entirely strange behavior for him because I know he likes to swim along the wall when acting normal, probably chasing his reflection or following me. However, after the water change I feel that he does it differently and this is a concern.
I have tested his water with my new API master kit. I did so yesterday and today. He has no nitrites and did not have any yesterday either. Yesterday his ammonia was at 0.25ppm and today its at about 0.20 ppm. Both times the test was done immediately after partial water change. However, today I decided to test his pH level.
I know that the local water has a highly basic pH. When I first got Fabio, I noticed this and tried to change the pH. This did more harm than good and I was told to leave the pH alone because more likely than not the fish had gotten used to pH level and changing it was causing problems. I have decided not to play with the pH for Crusoe before getting second opinions. His pH is at 7.6, which is bad but normal for local water.
Could the pH be causing his behavior? He seems to have had calmed down now and after a while he did go back to normal on the other days too. I would like to know what causes this and if the pH is going to be a long-term problem.
He is otherwise healthy, making his bubble nest and eating like a beast. He does not strictly stay along the tank walls and swims normally in the center, so I am not super worried. Perhaps it is my imagination but I like to be safe.
I replace the same amount of water, about the same temperature each time. I add Prime before pouring the new water into the tank. After the new water is in the tank, he swims slightly erratically against the side of the tank. Right now he is swimming in circles along the front wall of his tank or darting forward. This is not entirely strange behavior for him because I know he likes to swim along the wall when acting normal, probably chasing his reflection or following me. However, after the water change I feel that he does it differently and this is a concern.
I have tested his water with my new API master kit. I did so yesterday and today. He has no nitrites and did not have any yesterday either. Yesterday his ammonia was at 0.25ppm and today its at about 0.20 ppm. Both times the test was done immediately after partial water change. However, today I decided to test his pH level.
I know that the local water has a highly basic pH. When I first got Fabio, I noticed this and tried to change the pH. This did more harm than good and I was told to leave the pH alone because more likely than not the fish had gotten used to pH level and changing it was causing problems. I have decided not to play with the pH for Crusoe before getting second opinions. His pH is at 7.6, which is bad but normal for local water.
Could the pH be causing his behavior? He seems to have had calmed down now and after a while he did go back to normal on the other days too. I would like to know what causes this and if the pH is going to be a long-term problem.
He is otherwise healthy, making his bubble nest and eating like a beast. He does not strictly stay along the tank walls and swims normally in the center, so I am not super worried. Perhaps it is my imagination but I like to be safe.