Yawning?

[BurningIvy 416]

hey again. I was just wondering what is the yawning thing people are always talking about? I ask only because I think that Flopsy, my fantail, is doing it. She will be swimming along breathing as usual and then stops where ever she is and opens her mouth really far and then continues swimming. I can't take a video of it though because it only happens every once and a while and I just can't catch it. =( What does this mean? I am on her sixth round of prazi (there was a small time when we stopped treatment however because her tankmate was sick and eventually passed on) but she seems to be just fine other than the thing I just mentioned. She eats normally and with excitement and swims all the time now and hasn't bottomsat for days that I've seen. Just wondering if I need to start worrying again... I feel like I'm always worrying.

Test Results for the Following:
• * Ammonia Level
  
• * Nitrite Level
  
• * Nitrate level
  
• * Ph Level, Tank (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines)
  
• * Ph Level, Tap (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines) 6.4
  Other Required Info:
• * Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? api drops
  
• * Water temperature? 80 F
  
• * Tank size (how many gals.) and how long has it been running? 10G and two months
  
• * What is the name and "size of the filter"(s)? the one that comes with walmart setup I don't think it has a name
  
• * How often do you change the water and how much? in accordance with prazi treatment (day one 50%; day 4 50%; day 5 50% and repeat
  
• * How many days ago was the last water change and how much did you change? today 50% (day 5 in treatment)
  

• * How many fish in the tank and their size? one fantail maybe 3 inches
  
• * What kind of water additives or conditioners? prime
  
• * What do you feed your fish and how often? nutrafin sinking pellets; veggies; sometimes frozen food from petco
  
• * Any new fish added to the tank? no
  
• * Any medications added to the tank? prazi and salt
  
• * List previous issues experienced (dropsy, SBD, etc.) she had a time with floatiness and bottomsitting but other than that nothing
  
• * List entire medication/treatment history for fish and tank. Please include salt, Prazi, PP, etc and the approximate time and duration of treatment. prazi and salt since I've had her.
  
• * Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? no
  
• * Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? just the yawning thing
  

[tithra 4,917]

Can you post results for your ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and tank Ph? (take a sample to be tested if you don't have a kit)

I notice your tap Ph is very low. Do you use a buffer or anything to bring the tank Ph up?

Do you have an airstone running in the tank?

[BurningIvy 416]

Oops! I forgot to put those numbers in! Ammonia - .25 (should I do a change where I just added prazi? she is due for one tomorrow morning) Nitrate- 0 Nitrite- 0 Tank Ph- 7.6

I use baking soda to bring the Ph up. I do have an airstone.

[tithra 4,917]

Oops! I forgot to put those numbers in! Ammonia - .25 (should I do a change where I just added prazi? she is due for one tomorrow morning) Nitrate- 0 Nitrite- 0 Tank Ph- 7.6

I use baking soda to bring the Ph up. I do have an airstone.

No, if you're due for a change tomorrow you'll be fine, especially since you're using Prime

Yawning, especially if it happens just occasionally is not totally atypical, it's when you begin to see it regularly that it becomes a concern and can be suggestive of some sort of gill irritation or low oxygen. Gill irritation could be the result of things like poor water conditions (e.g. ammonia in the water) or flukes (which you're already treating for ).

It sounds like the yawning you are describing is probably not reason for too much concern. The prazi treatment will rule out flukes as a cause and keeping the water conditions pristine (as it sounds like you already are) will rule that out. You may want to try adding a second airstone or lowering the water level just a little so you get some surface agitation from the filter, since oxygen saturation will be lower at higher temps (and your tank is 80F), just in case this is the issue. But it sounds like this is likely nothing more than typical behavior.

Keep an eye on it. If it increases or she begins to bottom sit or demonstrate other symptoms let us know.

[BurningIvy 416]

Okay! Thanks so much. I really appreciate everyone on this site. I feel like you guys always know just what to say. Thank you so much!

[tithra 4,917]

Okay! Thanks so much. I really appreciate everyone on this site. I feel like you guys always know just what to say. Thank you so much!

no problem! I totally understand what it's like to worry about these crazy fish.

[BurningIvy 416]

Today I got home and noticed that she's bottomsitting again. She is on day one of her sixth round of prazi so I just did the 50% WC and added in salt and prazi to the tank... she isn't doing it all the time but I'm starting to worry if she's ever going to be a healthy fish? Am I just being impatient or do I have a reason to think that the prazi isn't doing anything?

[dnalex 13,633]

Has this fish ever been in salt at 0.3%? If not, once the Prazi's done, we should do that.

How often does she bottom sit, and for how long?

[BurningIvy 416]

She hasn't been in that much salt so I will do that after her prazi is done. Unfortunately I haven't been home with the fish the past two days (my mom has been doing water changes and feeding) but from what I can see I'd say every ten minutes or so she rests on the bottom for about a minute.

[dnalex 13,633]

I don't think it's that's bad at all. Let's continue as planned

[BurningIvy 416]

Sounds good. How long should I keep her in the salt at that level? She'll be done with prazi after tomorrow. So I'll do the twelve hour additions of the salt to .3% and then change the water when?

[dnalex 13,633]

Sounds good.

I'd like to have her at 0.3% salt for at least a week, please.

[BurningIvy 416]

Okay =) Do you want daily 90% changes like with the other tank?

[dnalex 13,633]

Yes, please!

[BurningIvy 416]

awesome =)

[BurningIvy 416]

This fish is stressing me out. =( Her caudal fin has some fraying going on. I don't know what happened the water still appears clean and is testing normal. What do I do? Video shortly.

[GreenTea 741]

I'm sorry you are having problems. Like they said, the yawning is a gill issue which I just learned the hard way. (1 lived, 1 died) For me it was flukes AND what I had added to the water to make breathing difficult. It's great that you are trying so hard, I'm sending you good vibes and I hope her fins and gills clear up. Good luck!

Edited July 23, 2012 by GreenTea

[tithra 4,917]

What are your current water params?

Are you still doing daily changes?

Is salt still at .3%?

How long has she been in salt (at any percentage) now?

[BurningIvy 416]

Currently: 7.6 ph Ammonia - 0 Nitrite - 0 Nitrate - 0 temp 78 F

I am doing daily changes since we stopped the prazi (friday). We haven't gone to .3% yet as she just finished prazi treatment. I was about to start bumping up her salt tomorrow but then I noticed this. She has been on salt and prazi since that time we talked about salt and prazi. So at least a month at .1%

The video is being uploaded now.

[BurningIvy 416]

[dnalex 13,633]

I think the salt has been creeping up slowly, and it's probably a lot higher than 0.1%. Could you do the back to back WCs as I explained in the other thread, and leave out salt for now. A month is good enough. We will start Prazi in a few days

[BurningIvy 416]

more prazi? okay. sounds good.

[dnalex 13,633]

Haha. I had a typing accident. Lol

I meant higher salt, if necessary

[BurningIvy 416]

oh alright =)

[BurningIvy 416]

Double water changes accomplished =p she has perked up a bit too... happy to see her swimming around =)