Scratch, scratch, scratch.

[ancientaquarist]

Hi All-
All the fish in my 29 which has much dead vegetation are itchy and scratch themselves on the plants and other places. No visible parasites.
Apparently perfect health.

Should I do a major water change? How can I make them more comfortable? I hate to be itchy myself.

What is usually the cause of this behavior?

TIA for your wisdom.

 

[fishgeek]

flashing or flicking can be seen for 2 primary reasons
poor water quality in which case you water change should help
and external parasitism , not always evident

andrew

 

[Randall]

Flashing

Hello Michael,

Me thinks Andrew offers good advise. I'd perform a major water change (50%) and watch closely. If the "flashing" continues, you may have an external protozoa on your hands. Formalin (formaldehyde) should take care of it.

Good luck!

Randall Kohn

 

[farm41]

The dead vegetation needs to come out, rotting plants will reduce water quality severely.

 

[aspen]

if you are using anything but water and de-chlor and maybe some peat, i would get rid of it with a few large water changes- ie, ph down etc. go through all of the water related things first.

rick