Can I Save Her?

[HeatherW]

2 days ago I posted on the livebearer forum about 2 sick fish.
One is now looking lots better, but the sicker one is worse.

She was sitting on the gravel breathing hard and only swimming to eat.
She seemed to have trouble staying at the top, like a magnet was drawing her downards.
Now she is wedged on part of a plastic floating plant to keep her up.
Her mouth is at the surface still gasping.
She has no wounds or visible infections.

The tank is densely planted with plastic plants, 20 US gallons.
The fish in there can be found in my profile, minus one of the other platies.
I do 15-20% water changes twice a week with a gravel siphon.
Water is 76-78 degrees, no ammonia or nitrites, pH 7.3-7.5.
No other fish symtomatic.

So I was reading that swim bladder problems can be bacterial.
I have "Melafix" for bacterial problems. It is 1% melaleuca. I added the suggested 10mL this morning.
It apparently does not harm biological filtration.

My questions are:

Do you think it's too late?
Anything else I can do?
Anyone with swim bladder experience?
Anyone with Melafix experience?
If so, is it okay for fry? (I have a few in a floating trap)

Thanks,
Heather

 

[WILDER]

Sorry but it sounds like the swim bladder desease has progressed if she is resting on things, what do you feed the fish.

Not the writer of this information.
Swim Bladder Disorder



The Swim bladder is a gas-filled sac located inside the fish’s body cavity just above most of the other internal organs. This sac is what gives the fish buoyancy and controls equilibrium. The amount of gas in this sac changes as the fish rises and sinks in the water, enabling it to swim, hover and move in the water. Without the use of the Swim-bladder organ a fish is unable to control it's own movements.



Symptoms:

Fish with a swim bladder disorder appear to have an abnormal swimming pattern, usually with their tail end up. They also appear to have difficulty maintaining equilibrium. They may even float upside down or appear to be stuck at the surface of the water, being unable to swim down, or they may lie on the bottom, unable to rise. Fish with a swim bladder disorder will continue to try and feed, showing a normal appetite.



Cause:

The most common cause of swim bladder disorders is improper diet. An improper diet can lead to intestinal gas or intestinal blockages. Intestinal blockages can irritate the bowel, giving bacteria or other parasites an entry point where they can then cause damage to the swim bladder. Swim bladder disorders are most common in the larger, deep-bodied varieties of Goldfish. Fish also fed a lot of dried foods, especially pellets, are most susceptible. This condition is frequently observed in the later stages of Malawi Bloat, which is primarily due to an improper diet as well and intestinal irritation.



Treatment:

Because this disorder is due principally to an improper diet, a change in their feeding needs to be made. Dried foods with lots of protein should be kept to a minimum. Pellets and other dense foods should be soaked prior to feeding or completely eliminated from their diet. Foods with lots of fiber should be introduced, such as zucchini, squash, spinach, romaine lettuce, peas, and grated carrots. If you suspect that the fish is victim to a bacterial infection, treat the fish with a medicated food.

 

[HeatherW]

I feed a mixed flake in the morning.
I feed a vegetable flake in the evening.
I feed spirulina tablets before lights out.

I feed peas every second day and freeze dried tubifex once a week.

Heather

 

[WILDER]

How's she doing, i would get some frozen bloodworms,brimestrimp, and daphnia into there diet.

 

[HeatherW]

All yesterday she remained on the bottom gasping. She died today sometime.

I'm confused as hell.

And my young female swordtail is not happy either, the other sickly one.
Her swimming is fine though, unlike the deceased.
Colour slightly pale.
She is thin, with a hockey stick shaped body, ie flat with the tail pointing downwards.
She has an appetite, but is not seeming to pass anything. I am gone most of the day though, so who knows.
No blemishes, sores, torn fins.
Still nobody else symptomatic. No apparent bullying.

The feeding is above. Water still fine.
I gave 2 days of Melafix with a water change between. Shall I continue, or is it worth it?

Wilder, as to the suggestion of those foods:
I thought platies/swordtails need a vegetable rich diet, and that too much protein makes constipation.
They largely ignore the freeze dried tubifex I feed as well.
Should I try frozen foods?

And does anyone have other medication advice?
I'd like not to lose this swordtail or any more fish to become ill.

Heather

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P., On the fish that has gone thin and has a bent spine it's sounding like fish tb, i use frozen foods, i will only use freezedried tubilex as that can be doggy.
Also check the anus to see if it's enlarged or red and inflamed.

http/www.4qd.org/Aqua/disease/tb.html

 

[HeatherW]

Thank you.
Anus is fine.
I guess we'll see.
I'll look into frozen foods.

Heather