Bloated Tetra

[leecara]

Hi all, just to let you know, done another salt bath, did the tetras, and the poorly ram, i thought i had made a mistake when one tetra flopped onto it's side and sank, thought it had died. but know it back in the tank, it seems okay.

they all seem okay at the moment, but i not feeding at the mo, due to the fact that i have clean water from my previous meth blue mistake, and now i have no ammonia remover. i am showing some nitrates so presuming my filter not too effected.

I will keep an eye on the stats but if the ammonia increase or indeed the nitrite, can i do a percentage water change before the next dose of med in 4 days time

 

[WILDER]

If you have to preform a water change all you do is add the correct amount of med to the water removed.
If a fish every goes onto it back in a salt bath and acts weird remove it straight away.
http/ukdiscus.com/ken_thomson_salt.htm

 

[kribensis12]

Does that mean Aquarium salt can help my Discus? The Homeowned petstore owner said it is best not to use it becuase it makes my water quality Hard.

 

[leecara]

Hi Kribensis12, I never add the salt water to my tank, I just give them a salt solution dip, I think once you start adding to the tank it gets confusing as you need to add it gradually and then remove it gradually, but maybe if you tell the forum what is wrong with it they may have a better treatment.

 

[leecara]

I have studdied the tank this morning, all seems ok, that is to say that they are all alive, teh Dwarf gourami that has taken to sitting at the top of the tank on a more or less permanant basis, since the power cut ( 2 x 4.5 hour cuts in two days) fiasco a week ago, now has 2 bite marks on his tail, i will post a picture later, could someone confirm that they are just bite marks and not something else. I think he gets nipped as he sits in the top corner of the tank alot, surely this is not natural behaviour.
I will post stats later as well.

 

[leecara]

Not much change, but this is the fish now.

Any ideas



While im at it, this is the dwarf gourami who insists on staying at the top of the tank, and her poorly tail, she does get nipped, so just want reassurance that these are rips, not fin rot, as i can not treat for fin rot as i am using interpert 9 for bloated tetra, at least i don't think it will help.



Many Many thanks

 

[WILDER]

They start off at the top of the tank near the filter then they go to the bottom and lay to oneside, signs of a dying fish.
What do you feed the fish?

 

[leecara]

When you say they lay on their side after being at the top, are we talking about dropsy or fin rot?

The gourami nows sits on the bottom of the tank,

I feed flakes, every other day although have been keeping this downdue to the recent water change, don't wanat another ammonia spike. i also give them frozen shrimp and occasionally packet bloodworm.

the tetras eat ok, but the gourami doesn't eat at all at the mo. didn't even want shelled peas and nor does the ram, both look very thin.

The german blue ram also jagged fins, so i am thinking should i treat for fin rot rather than for dropsy, I am at my wits end with this Please help.

 

[WILDER]

Laying on the floor can be bacterial to parasite.
When you say they have gone thin is it through not eating.
Check the anus to see if its enlarged or red and inflamed, also check what it looks like when they go to the toilet.
Need some frozen foods and veg in there diet, to many dried foods lead to constipation and swim bladder problems.

 

[leecara]

Hi Wilder

it's not looking good for the poor gourami, he is laying very still, but when i thinkhe is dead and go to get him, he swims off. her tail is very "ripped"

Neither of them are eating, it is definatey fin rot, the gourami does normally eat a plant that i have form them, and they do get frozen shrimp, and bloodworm so they do get a varied diet.

have been giving them slat baths still, but the melafix that i have fr fin rot, even thouh i can not put it in the tank due to the interper 9 in there, could i give them a dip or even put it on the tail fin area, maybe...... or not.

 

[WILDER]

Lost weight then through not eating justed wanted to check.
How much of the tail has gone, the thing is with uk bacterial meds you have to get on top of things fast, as are meds are not that strong, meaning if the bacteria infections has advanced the meds are no good as you need antibiotics which is only available through a vet.

 

[leecara]

Well, the gourami has rips that are almost to its body, if you like. The ram only has a tiny weeny corner missing, but the fin doesn't look as rounded as the other rams fin. i.e it looks a bt jaggy.

I know that they have all been through alot of stress recently with the tank nightmare i have had and the ram was chased frequently and nipped on the tail by the very pregnant mollie (no fry mad it as she must have dropped them in the nigh)

I still ask can i put the melafix on the rams rear fin, or something, i hav no hospital tank

 

[WILDER]

Add the melafix in with the anti bacterial med, but make sure you have alot of aeration.
Don't think some of the fish will make it to be honest.

 

[leecara]

No i don't eithr to be honest, i think that the gourami will be alive in the next while, not sure about the ram she ate a bit earlier, so will see in the morning, the tetras definately are not so fat, and they do swim about and eat, so we will see, all i can do is hope and pray, feel a it guilty to be honest sem to be learning everythig the hard way.

When i put the melafix in the tank, i will follow the instructions, i have an airstone and will keep it on high, i aloso have the internal filter breaking the water, the external filter is on a spray bar but is lower down the tank.

will this be enough airation for them do you think

 

[WILDER]

Yes plenty of aeration in there for them.
I've used melafix with bacterial meds, and in the states they use it with antibiotics.
Good luck, keeping fingers crossed.