Little guy with gas ?

[Shell]

Hi I'm new and hoping someone can help me out by answering a few questions for me.

My sister came to the pet shop with me a few days back and saw and fell in love with little Fred ( she had named him before she even knew she was going to bring him home )

The set up in the shop was not fantastic but could have been worse, anyway we got home and did a ill looking round to be sure she could care for him properly before going back a couple days later to bring him home.

I set up the tank with a filter from one of my mature tanks even though apparently this isn't needed... I thought better safe than sorry so popped it in there anyway. He is on large pebbles that he will be unable to eat along with a few hiding places

He is being fed on frozen fish defrosted, and is eating well. I know we will need to add more to his food list but this is what he was being fed in the store so thought we should stick to that for now until he settles in. His tank is 2 1/2tf and he is in there alone, the water is good but he has started floating and seems to struggle to get back to the bottom.

I have after looking through here lowered the water level and he has also had a brief time in the fridge which seems to have helped as he is back to exploring his new tank.

So what I'm looking to know is how I can help him to not have it happen again ( he looked dead when he was floating at the top and it was really rather distressing to watch)

Also he was being fed daily at the store, should I continue with this or try to aim for every second day ?

Also any tips for a first time owner would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Cheva]

Im still new but Id probably really looking at changing his food source first of all.. I dont think ive read about anyone feeding them fish? .. .Also the "wise ones" will ask for a photo of the tank and current PH/Nitrates/Nitrites and Ammonia levels ..

Also as the to frequency of feeds would depend on what your feeding little Fred.Ive read some are fed a worm daily whilst others can go a few days without eating.

 

[melr70]

Hey Shell,
Worms, worms, and worms. I would try and get him onto them as soon as possible (ebay is fab.) Also was he on gravel in the shop? If so might be that he has an impaction problem. Keep his water levels low and keep him cool (I know, bit of a contradiction in terms.) One of my juvies used to float all the time and it's horrible to watch. Every time he seemed to be struggling I just lowed the water, once he seemed ok I topped it back up again. He grew out of it and is fine now.