My husband brought a half moon baby home the week of Christmas and man, was he was struggling.
After we got him in his tank that we already had cycled and ready for him, we noticed that his back seemed bent and he was having what seemed like swim bladder issues. He, seeming involuntary, floated at the surface and struggled to swim like there was a buoy attached to his bottom. He would try to hide under his sponge filter and get gently sucked to it and just stay there, lifeless, no fight, even with the air pump turned down as low as it would go. We knew we had to get him out if he was going to have a chance, although we were prepared for the worst.
He lived in a breeder box on the side of our 29g for a couple of weeks and absolutely transformed. Boyancy issues went away, bend in back disappeared, appetite exploded, and he got more and more active until one day I checked on him and….he wasn't there?? I panicked, looked everywhere, including the floor but didn't see him. The only way in or out were the 2 spots where water comes in and out but one was blocked by a water pump and the other had a plastic piece with little slats in it to only let water escape. Surely he didn't squeeze through there somehow?
YES HE DID.
I look over and see him swimming in the 29g, stalking the floating plants, living his best life. Didn't even acknowledge me when I walked up for the first time, like he was caught and trying to hide. He went back in his 10g after that and this is him today in all of his new fin growth glory.
https://i.redd.it/ydyi5cf8aahg1.jpeg
Posted by kayceekayy