r/Bichirs 21h ago

Advice request LAPEN BEHAVIOUR

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Hey guys,

I noticed whenever my Lapen swimming around my grow up tank, his tail sometimes bends upward like in the video. Sometimes he swims normally like my other bichirs. Is it normal? Or should I worry?

8 Upvotes

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2

u/PatchesDaHyena 20h ago

What are your nitrates at?

3

u/ComprehensiveRide603 19h ago

My water parameters are as such Ammonia = 0ppm Nitrite = 0ppm Nitrate = 10 - 20ppm (I would say 10 but just to be safe)

1

u/PatchesDaHyena 18h ago

Has this been continuous lately? If it is occasional and he is often going to the surface for air, he could have swallowed too much air. If it is continuous as of late, I would try a treatment of kanaplex in food for two weeks while feeding minimally after a fast

1

u/ComprehensiveRide603 18h ago

He only does that sometimes.... mostly he just chilling between the java fern.

1

u/PatchesDaHyena 16h ago

I’d fast them and observe. If he starts swimming upside down then I would treat with metroplex and kanaplex in food.

1

u/ComprehensiveRide603 21h ago

The following is a slideshow containing some of the pictures of him

https://reddit.com/link/p76b8h1/video/2alvaxyhuwmh1/player