Cardinal Tetra Struggling..........

[J4G3D]

Just noticed today 1 of my 10 cardinal tetras is struggling to swim. It looks as though he floats to 1 side then he will try to swim and goes back to normal until he starts tilting to the side again. Looks healthy still.

Im guessing either
1. The angelfish has nipped it
2. swim bladder problem

Anyone else want to comment?

 

[WILDER]

Can we take a look at your water stats please in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.


What do you feed the fish.
Does the fish look bloated.

Swim bladder signs are unable to maintain balance in the water, struggling to get to the top of the tank, or unable to get off the bottom of the tank.
Fish will sometimes tilt on oneside.
Also it can look like the tail weighing the fish down in the water.
Sometimes the fish can look slightly bloated.

Causes of swim bladder -
Bad water quality.
Unstable diet of to many dried foods.
Unstable temp.
Injury.
Birth defect.
Bacterial infection of the swim bladder.
Internal parasites.

Feed some shelled peas.

 

[J4G3D]

Can we take a look at your water stats please in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.


What do you feed the fish.
Does the fish look bloated.

Swim bladder signs are unable to maintain balance in the water, struggling to get to the top of the tank, or unable to get off the bottom of the tank.
Fish will sometimes tilt on oneside.
Also it can look like the tail weighing the fish down in the water.
Sometimes the fish can look slightly bloated.

Causes of swim bladder -
Bad water quality.
Unstable diet of to many dried foods.
Unstable temp.
Injury.
Birth defect.
Bacterial infection of the swim bladder.
Internal parasites.

Feed some shelled peas.

Feed the fish good flake once a day 6 days week and 1 day per week i feed blood worm
Fish doesnt look bloated

I will do water stats shortly.

I have: peas, melafix, swim bladder treatment and aquarium salt all ready if need be.

 

[WILDER]

What type of bloodworms, frozen, live, freeze dried.

Improve the fish diet with more frozen foods in brime shrimp, daphnia.

For now cook some frozen peas in boiling water for a few minutes.
Pop out of shell.
Chop into small pieces and add to the tank.

Research fish diet needs, as veg is good in a fish diet.
Veg like cucumba, sproats, green cabbage, lettuce, peas, broc, spinach.

If the peas don't do the trick get back to the board.

Also keep a look out for when the fish goes to the toilet.
Check the anus not enlarged or red and inflamed.

Is he missing any fins as that can cause swimming problems.

 

[J4G3D]

What type of bloodworms, frozen, live, freeze dried.

Improve the fish diet with more frozen foods in brime shrimp, daphnia.

For now cook some frozen peas in boiling water for a few minutes.
Pop out of shell.
Chop into small pieces and add to the tank.

Research fish diet needs, as veg is good in a fish diet.
Veg like cucumba, sproats, green cabbage, lettuce, peas, broc, spinach.

If the peas don't do the trick get back to the board.

Also keep a look out for when the fish goes to the toilet.
Check the anus not enlarged or red and inflamed.

Is he missing any fins as that can cause swimming problems.

Hes not missing fins no. Right at the tail is slighlty more red than the others though. Not sure if this is near the anus or not.

 

[WILDER]

Need water stats.

Redness can be septicemia, parasites, bacterial, bad water quality, ulcers.

Check your water stats.

is it possible to load a pic onto the site of the redness.
Any white edging to the redness.
Does it look like bleeding beneath the skin.

 

[J4G3D]

Need water stats.

Redness can be septicemia, parasites, bacterial, bad water quality, ulcers.

Check your water stats.

is it possible to load a pic onto the site of the redness.
Any white edging to the redness.
Does it look like bleeding beneath the skin.

tbh i cant compare it with another tetra as i cant catch another tetra to see it close up.

But first impression of the ill tetra would be the end of the tail(not the tip but where body meets tail) i would say its alot redder then the rest of the red parts on the body.
http/i762.photobucket.com/albums/xx270/J4GG4/IMG00269-20100926-1641.jpg

Just doing a 50% water change then i will get the water stats once new water has settled in

 

[WILDER]

Ok.
Check water stats.
Then add this med. Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

Red at the base can be septicemia.
Can you isolate the sick fish.

Septicemia

Symptoms:

Fish may have reddening at fin bases, blood streaks throughout the fins and body, small hemorrhages around the eyes. Dull listless behavior and lack of appetite may also be present.


Cause:

Systemic bacterial infection caused by various bacteria, including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio. The illness is often brought on by poor water quality or as a result of parasitic infestations or other infections. These bacteria enter the blood stream and circulate through the tissues causing inflammation and damage. Inflamed blood vessels in the skin and at fin bases stand out. Blood vessel and heart tissue damage cause hemorrhaging and consequently leakage of body fluids into the abdomen, which may lead to Dropsy.


Treatment:

Water conditions must be improved for all fish in the tank, regardless of how many fish are infected. Check your water�s Treat with Kanacyn or Tetracycline as well as with a medicated food if the fish will eat. If parasites are suspected, all the fish in the tank should be treated with antiparasitic medication. Using salt to help restore osmotic balance might be helpful.

 

[J4G3D]

Ok ive isolated the fish into a bucket dipped in the main tank.

done a 50% water change and added enough aquarium salt for 200 litre tank.

I will test the waters shortly and add internal bacteria medicine

Thanks

 

[WILDER]

I would remove the salt with water changes as plecs don't tolerate it to well.

You really need a heater and airstone for the bucket. As once you add the med it will reduce 02.
I think I would just treat the whole tank with only having a bucket.

 

[J4G3D]

ammonia 0 (or very very close to 0 maybe 0.05)
nitrite 0
nitrate 20
pH 7.6

The cardinal is almost dead now. Little mouth moving. Definatly internaly damaged. Other fish are fine though.

Might just put the cardinal out his misery, he definatly wont make it.

 

[WILDER]

So sorry bless him.

You have tryed your best.

Water changes on main tank for a few days.

Thanks for the update.
Good Luck.