Constipated Gibbicep?

[Arfie]

I noticed yesterday that my Gibbicep has not poo'd for at least a couple of days as I did a poovac on Wednesday. He has also not eaten any of the cucumber or courgette (which he loves) which has been put in the tank.

Yesterday, I put more courgette in along with some peas (boiled and de-shelled) and the courgette is untouched, the peas appear to have gone, but I suspect the cory's and bengal loaches will have cleared them up.

Whilst looking close I noticed that the bogwood in the tank has a grayish substance growing on it, like cotton wool, when removed from the water it is brown and slimey, I assume this is some form of algae. The bogwood has been in the tank since about July last year, and it was removed from the tank last weekend, so I could clean gravel beneath it.

I immediately did a 25% water change, and I will probably do another later today. I am also tempted to take the bogwood out and boil it.

I'm wondering if the Gibbicep has eaten some of this algae and this has caused his constipation?

How can I sort the constipation out?

Should I be doing something to get rid of the algae? if so, how?

Arfie

Tank stats and maintenance: 25% water changes weekly (sometimes twice per week)
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 25-40 (due to the Gibbi normally being a poo machine)

 

[WILDER]

Daphnia and shelled peas for the constipation, good luck.

 

[Arfie]

He doesn't appear to be taking any notice of the peas, he had courgette, but was just laying on it.

I am now getting quite worried as he is getting quite fat and looks like he could pop, I may have to squeeze him soon, unless there are any other suggestions.

Will frozen Daphnia be ok, as that's likely to be all I can get tomorrow?

Arfie

 

[Arfie]

Right, couldn't get hold of any daphnia and still no change.

I have provided him with peas (shells off, of course), cucumber, courgette and the usual algae wafers, he seems to want to eat, but is barely touching any of his food.

I have now been advised to isolate the gibbicep and add Epson Salt to the water at a teaspoon per gallon to start, raising it to upto 2 teaspoons per gallon over a 48 hour period. Fortunately I am in a position to move him into an empty tank with a readily matured filter. I have also been advised that if it doesn't work within that time, he will probably die .

Anybody have any thoughts about this method or any other idea's?

I know he could have swallowed something causing an obstruction, like a small snail or a peice of gravel, which I am unlikely to be able to do anything about, but are there any other medications (in UK) that anyone knows about that may work?

Arfie

 

[black angel]

how big is the plec? maybe offer some bloodworm or a piece of shrimp. if you can catch him and have a feel of the tummy to see if its hard or mushy and if theres any areas of hardness. i can tell on a goldfish how the tummy is supposed to feel so i dont know if it would work the same with a plec. but the area should feel like pushing into muscle. if its rock hard then i would reckon on some kind of impaction, but how to get his gut moving i dont know. if its soft and mushy then there could be a fluid build up suggesting a form of abdominal dropsy. but as i said that works for goldfish.
sorry i couldnt be of more help and hope someone has a solution for you.