General Care Discussion :: trouble getting to the top

[Joddog]

My RES seem to have trouble getting to the top of the tank for air. I have them in a 10 gallon aquarium, half full of water with many resting areas all over, including floating plants. One does OK, but struggles some, the other quite often ends up just sinking to the bottom to rest before trying again. I know I don't have as much water/room recommended, but they seem to tire quickly. Should I leave the tank alone until they grow some and gain strength? Or should I continue to raise the water level?

[ljapa]

Try creating a resting area just under the water, so they can hang out there or choose deeper water if they prefer. When Tobi first arrive, I had a large sloping rock in with here where she could rest under water but stick here head out without needing to swim. She was there often, but still explored the deeper water too.

[steve]

Can you post a picture of the tank?

[Joddog]

[Joddog]

If you click on the picture, you can see the edges of the tank. There is a tower of river rocks that they can stand on their heads out, the log is hollow also.

[ljapa]

That layout looks fine.

I see you've only had them about two weeks. Have they struggled like this from the beginning, or is it more of a recent thing?

Do they have problems staying at the top to get food?

Do they ever float at the top?

[Joddog]

They do occasionally float with their heads out at the top. I've noticed them struggling as I increase water depth. I have doubled the amount of water since I first put them in. They don't seem to have trouble getting food. Perhaps I'm worried for nothing? Lol