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[JoanneH]

Urgent help needed - very sick panda. Been treating him for bout 3 weeks for bacterial fin rot. Whilst doing 30% water change today to change med, he started swimming irractically, upside down, round and round and floating and sinking to the bottom on his back. At the moment I've taken him out and put him in a jug of aquarium water. He is the right way up on the bottom but his gills are moving rapidly - what should I do please

 

[black angel]

What are your tests for ammonia and nitrites?
If these are 0 then what are you using for the bottom of your tank? Could be bacterial as the fin rot suggests that and its now gone into his system. Gas trapped in gravel or sand can cause the fish to swim erratically as they are poisoned. Have you got a small tank you can put him in as the jug will make him anxious.

 

[JoanneH]

What are your tests for ammonia and nitrites?
If these are 0 then what are you using for the bottom of your tank? Could be bacterial as the fin rot suggests that and its now gone into his system. Gas trapped in gravel or sand can cause the fish to swim erratically as they are poisoned. Have you got a small tank you can put him in as the jug will make him anxious.

I haven't tested the water today as I've only just changed 30% of the water, but yesterday they were both nil. I have sand at the bottom of the tank and no, sadly I don't have another tank. He seems calm in the jug right now, his breathing is less laboured now, not sure if thats a good sign or not. Should I put him back in the tank as I've finished the maintenance for the day?

 

[black angel]

As no other fish are showing the same problem and the fish in question is sitting fine then there may be something wrong with its swimbladder and the deeper water might be affecting it. Put it back in and keep an eye on it for a few hours. If it starts to swim funny again then you will need to try somewhere shallower.
How is the finrot going on it? Has it stopped receding or does it look worse?

 

[WILDER]

Sadly the med hasn't done anything for him, if he's tipping upside down i agree with black angel he's not good, i would maybe put him in a container at the top of the tank so he not struggling so much.

 

[JoanneH]

Sadly the med hasn't done anything for him, if he's tipping upside down i agree with black angel he's not good, i would maybe put him in a container at the top of the tank so he not struggling so much.

I've just got back, he's quite peaceful at the moment on the bottom, right way up and looks reasonably stable (not wobbling over) so for 2nite I'm gonna leave him be and see what 2morrow brings. Thanks for all your help.

As no other fish are showing the same problem and the fish in question is sitting fine then there may be something wrong with its swimbladder and the deeper water might be affecting it. Put it back in and keep an eye on it for a few hours. If it starts to swim funny again then you will need to try somewhere shallower.
How is the finrot going on it? Has it stopped receding or does it look worse?

finrot appeared to be stable but a couple of days ago the tiny pin prick hole appeared again in his dorsal fin, otherwise he was doing fine - this has come as a bit of a shock really as I was hoping we'd beaten it. Thanks foryour help - I've put him back, he's very quite but on the bottom and the right way up, I think I'll leave him there for now and see what 2morrow brings.