Inverted Stomach (sick Fish Help)

[jipjip]

Hi All,

This is my actual first post but have read and learned lots from this forum already. Anyways I finally decided to write because I have a few fish in my cichlid tank that are sick and was hoping someone may be able to help. This has been going on for 5-6 weeks and they are not getting better. I lost a orange peacock and another guy the same as pic 1 about 3 weeks ago. Not all fish have it but the bigger ones seem to. They are all eating normally too. I have posted pictures below.

== What have I done ==
1) Regular water changes
2) Last week changed around 40%
3) Tried a medicine called focus which I coated in garlic. It is for internal infenctions. Treated them with this for 3-4 weeks.
4) I have tried reducing feedings for a period of time and also increasing feedings for a period of time.
5) Ran melafix for external infections (cuts and funguses)
6) Clean all filter media
7) Tried slowly increasing temperature to about 94 F
8) Running two filters now
9) Obviously many water tests
10) LFS has water tested as well

Still do not have an idea what they are sick with. No one at the LFS can help either (and they are usually quite knowledgable).


== Tank Specs ==
30 Gal (36" long)
Fluval 304 Filter & Hanging filter
8.2 Water PH
80 degrees F
Decorations: coconut caves (thank you fish forum), slate, fake plants, crush coral sand

4 - yellow labs (4" x 3" x 2" x 2" are their sizes)
1 - electric blue johani (3")
1- Unkown breed (in the first picture), I am having a brain fart to what he/she is.
1 - large (8") plec

Anyways hope I gave enough information to help with diagnos the problem. Thanks for your time spent reading this.

Sincerely,

Jordan

 

[clareriley]

Sounds like it is a internal parasite.. I have no idea what you can give them to cute it but if they are eating normal and they are still like this is it is a parasite which eats the food they eat and if you dont feed them then it will eat there insides and they will end up with bloat..

hopefully someone can tell you what to use.

 

[jipjip]

Thanks Clare,

Thats what I thought it was. Everywhere I check has no medicine for this. I ran this focus medicine here is what the back says.

"Focus is an antibacterial polymer for internal infections of fish."

The problem with that medicine is it was a powder and not a direct food. I ended up mixing it with garlic and making little balls to get the fish to injest it. But didn't help.

Hmmm anyone else seen this before or have any ideas?

Thanks Jordan

 

[clareriley]

I have been told a mix of melafix and pimafix is good.. I cant find it stocked anywhere where I am.

 

[jipjip]

Hey Clare,

I have used that too for about 3 weeks. It is somewhat expensive but apparantly really good. Anyways long story short it didn't help. But originally I read to use that too. I am looking for maybe Pepso but can't get that here. (BC Canada).

Not trying to shoot you down either. : ) Thanks for your help.

 

[clareriley]

Hey Clare,

I have used that too for about 3 weeks. It is somewhat expensive but apparantly really good. Anyways long story short it didn't help. But originally I read to use that too. I am looking for maybe Pepso but can't get that here. (BC Canada).

Not trying to shoot you down either. : ) Thanks for your help.

Thats ok lol. I also read that it works for some but not with others.. my lfs said they dont stock it because it doesnt work and its too expensive for the average hobbyist to buy..

Im trying to find something else for you.

 

[kevinr]

there is no cure unfortunatley, there is a name fir the problem, I just can't remember it (sorry ) but basically, as long as there are no other problems, and the fish is eating well, it will live quite happily..just looks odd

 

[jipjip]

I also read that it works for some but not with others.. my lfs said they dont stock it because it doesnt work and its too expensive for the average hobbyist to buy..

Haha sounds about right.

I have friends (non hobbyist) come to me and see what I have paid on medication and say "you could just let them die and buy new ones"

there is no cure unfortunatley, there is a name fir the problem, I just can't remember it (sorry blush.gif ) but basically, as long as there are no other problems, and the fish is eating well, it will live quite happily..just looks odd

Doh!

 

[kevinr]

I also read that it works for some but not with others.. my lfs said they dont stock it because it doesnt work and its too expensive for the average hobbyist to buy..

Haha sounds about right.

I have friends (non hobbyist) come to me and see what I have paid on medication and say "you could just let them die and buy new ones"

there is no cure unfortunatley, there is a name fir the problem, I just can't remember it (sorry blush.gif ) but basically, as long as there are no other problems, and the fish is eating well, it will live quite happily..just looks odd

Doh!

just to clarify what I said before I get jumped on...the damage to the stomach is done, that's the part that cannot be cured. But please watch out for signs of other infections, as the problem which caused the stomach to shrink may still be there

 

[jipjip]

Haha I knew what you meant.

One thing though. How do I get rid of these internal parasites? I dont care if they still look like that.

Is it possible that i have already cured it and just haven't known. They have lived 3 weeks passed the dead ones.

 

[kevinr]

You could try using Pimafix, it's a very good natural remedy for your tank.

 

[jipjip]

I have this product and have used it in the past for exterior damage or parasites to the fish. Do you think it would be a good remedy for the internal parasites that I am having?

 

[nicelights]

I had the same thing...

Be very careful not to mix medications if they say not to!

[topic="173368"]Previously![/topic]

I would say that the Interpet Anti Bacterial product worked, as I still have the i.sprengerae that had caused such chaos and it seems quite happy .

Pimafix and Melafix however should not be mixed with the Interpet product, from my experience and expense. It will cost you heart ache and fish. Both Mela- and pimafix serve their purpose, are very good at what they do, and can be bought from any Maidenhead Aquatics as far as I am aware. They are very popular products on this forum, from my observation, and that would be because they do work for what they are intended.

Hope this is of some help to you and saves you from repeating my error.

Cheers

Gordon

 

[kevinr]

I had the same thing...

Be very careful not to mix medications if they say not to!

[topic="173368"]Previously![/topic]

I would say that the Interpet Anti Bacterial product worked, as I still have the i.sprengerae that had caused such chaos and it seems quite happy .

Pimafix and Melafix however should not be mixed with the Interpet product, from my experience and expense. It will cost you heart ache and fish. Both Mela- and pimafix serve their purpose, are very good at what they do, and can be bought from any Maidenhead Aquatics as far as I am aware. They are very popular products on this forum, from my observation, and that would be because they do work for what they are intended.

Hope this is of some help to you and saves you from repeating my error.

Cheers

Gordon

Both Pima/melafix can be home made at a fraction of the cost. The mix is 99 parts water, and 1 part Melaleuca alternifolia (for melafix) or 1 part Pimenta racemosa (for pimafix). It will cost you around £2 for a 10ml bottle, which will in turn make 1 litre of your chosen med..compare that to the usual price of £9 for 128ml of mela/pimafix, and you have a bargain.

It should be noted however, that it would be better to use the extract, rather then the oil, as the oil will separate from the water and will be next to useless.

 

[nicelights]

Both Pima/melafix can be home made at a fraction of the cost. The mix is 99 parts water, and 1 part Melaleuca alternifolia (for melafix) or 1 part Pimenta racemosa (for pimafix). It will cost you around £2 for a 10ml bottle, which will in turn make 1 litre of your chosen med..compare that to the usual price of £9 for 128ml of mela/pimafix, and you have a bargain.

It should be noted however, that it would be better to use the extract, rather then the oil, as the oil will separate from the water and will be next to useless.

Where could I find these ingredients then?

Cheers

Gordon