Suspected Swim Bladder in my Short Body Flower Horn

Question
From last three months my short body flower horn fish stay bottom of the tank with his head down when nobody around him. Though when he see some one then he properly swims, response also he don't have any issue to takes his daily food.

Kindly suggest, am suspecting Swim Bladder which is in initial stage.

Answer
Hi Sajal,
What you are seeing is actually normal moody cichlid behavior. Cichlids will often behave this way when they are insecure or something might be wrong with their water quality. I doubt its swim bladder ... Sine he still swims normal and eats.

Make sure he has plenty of roomy caves to hide in and check his water quality... If you can, test the ammonia, nitrite and nitrate. These levels should be as follows -
Ammonia-0
Nitrite-0
Nitrate- 15 or less

Cichids often feel very insecure , especially in a tank with few hiding caves. Keep this in min with your flowerhorn.


Good luck!
Susan~