Apistogramma Borelli Sick?

[soniawc]

Tank size: 6 gal.
pH: okay at last check (yesterday morning)
ammonia:ditto to above
nitrite: ditto
nitrate:ditto
kH:?
gH:?
tank temp:76

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): breathing heavily, hiding, long white feces, color loss, just doesn't look happy overall

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 1/3 changed three days ago

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank: no additives; BioWheel

Tank inhabitants: 2 platys, 2 apistos, 2 otos, 3 guppy fry

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): 3 guppy fry about two weeks ago

Exposure to chemicals: none known; everyone else is happy

Thanks for your help!

 

[Spooky76]

Stringy poo can be either bacterial or constipation I think.....

Try feeding it some vegetables, peas, lettuce etc.

Try to cut down no high protein food, like live / frozen food. What do you feed them and how often ?

Any other signs, bloated flicking etc ?

 

[jollysue]

The tank is small. Appistos are sensitive to water issues. Do small water changes several times a week. Make sure the substrate is clean.

 

[soniawc]

Update:

My apisto kept losing ground--bad color and couldn't swim correctly. I euthanized today.

Thanks for the help; I believe it was a water quality issue. I'm aware it's a small tank; I do change the water frequently but I let the water for the change previous to the most recent sit longer than I usually do and the problems with this apisto date back to that change.