Cowfish

[robin l]

My cowfish was laying on the bottom. I've had her for a few months and she's never done this. She gets up and swims around a bit and then lays down for a while. She looks fine and is eating well. Is this normal behavior or should I be worried?

 

[shrimpy brains]

IMO, not normal behavior. What are you params.? Tankmates? Filtration? Tanksize? Any itching? Discoloration?
Do you make sure the food sinks, or does she eat from the surface? Idk this to be fact, but have heard that they can get air bubbles from eating from the
surface.

 

[robin l]

No itching, no discoloration, her blue eyes looked perfectly clear. Fluval 405, 40 gal, 1 clown, 1 lemon peel angel, 1 royal gramma, hemits, 1 feather duster & a rock of mushroom coral. She always eats whats down in the water, but last night I saw her eating some from the surface. I wonder.....I got up this a.m. expecting her to be dead but she's swimming around. Maybe she had gas? I will make sure none of the food sits on top. I sure hope thats all it was. Thank you so much.

 

[shrimpy brains]

Maybe that's what it was. I have to admit that I don't know too much about them. Unfortunately, I had one when I first started out in SW. Back then, I took the advice of my lfs, and didn't research on my own.
I had it about 6 months and then it died.

Did a little research then.(I know too late) That is when I read about the food on the surface and assumed that is what happened. Not sure though.
Also learned that they get rather large! Hope you have plans to upgrade!
Hopefully, she is ok now! Good luck!

 

[robin l]

Did the same!! Bought her without any research. I feel like she picked us like a puppy. Those eyes... She acts like a puppy the way she follows you around. She's Elsie the Cow, of course, thats why I call her a her.. We've only had her about 2 months and until now there's been no problems. Thanks again, I'll let you know if her status has changed.

 

[robin l]

Just got home from work and Elsie is swimming around like her old self. You must have been right. Thank you Shrimpy Brains!

 

[shrimpy brains]

I'm glad she is doing better. They are fantastic fish with awesome personalities. You can teach her to eat right out of your hand!
Hope she continues to do well and I am sure you will love her too much to get rid of her, so you might want to start looking for a bigger tank.

Also, I would love to see some pics. of her. You know we always want pics.!