Please Help!

[pirate monkey]

I have also posted in Pleco section.

Tank size: 78ukg
pH:~8
ammonia:0
nitrite:0
nitrate:40
kH:
gH:
tank temp:23

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior): It is apparent that Sailfin has not been eating. Sunken eyes, hollow belly. Really tattered fins (all of them). Colour is normal. He is hiding under the filter at the moment, very lethargic and has deteriorated rapidly in past day. (behaviour was normal at weekend). Have seen my texas cichlid pestering him. Sailfin is about 12".

Volume and Frequency of water changes: 20-30% weekly

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

Tank inhabitants: 1 10" Severum, 3 6" silver dollars 3 2" silver dollars, 1 4-5 " texas cichlid, 1 3" green terror, pair of kribs.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration): Last additions were texas and gt about 3 months ago.

Exposure to chemicals: only tap water conditioner.

I noticed at the weekend that my sailfin Herman had really tattered fins, which was weird cos I hadn't noticed them in anything less than a perfect condition before. I soon witnessed my Texas cichlid was pecking at his tail and generally annoying him.

On Monday Herman's behaviour was odd, he was hiding in a corner (he's normally very bold and doesn't hide very much) and I noticed his eyes were sunken into his head. He has become very lethargic and deteriorated rapidly in the past day Now he is hidden under the filter. Have done 30% water change.

He obviously hasn't been eating, and last night he was laying on his side across some plants and roots and I could see he is very thin... I blanched some courgette in garlic water in the hope that would help him out, but he didn't touch it.

I'm really concerned for him - he was his normal self just a few days ago and after a lot of rooting around at various forums etc it seems that sunken eyes are a sure sign that death will soon follow.

Since he's has been in hiding my Severum seems to be keeping him company and checking in on him, also chasing the Texas away!

I don't know how old he is, he is about 12" and have had him 6months. Tankmates are 1 Severum 1 texas 1 green terror 2 kribs and 6 silver dollars, in 78 ukg tank. All have been in tank for 6 months apart from texas and gt which have been around for 2 or 3 months, they are both juveniles.

Is there anything I can do?? I don't want to see him suffer!

 

[Bigbadbaz]

I had to part company with my sailfin a few weeks ago due to him being bullied by my kribs, They badly nipped his sail and tail as they decided his hiding hole was theirs to breed in, can you move the kribs for a few days and see if he recovers? The kribs only ever attacked him at night, never when the lights were on. (Stayed up and watched when the lights went out) Hope he pulls through..

 

[Davo86]

I would isolate the plec to a tank of his own, add some melafix and keep the water as clean as possible,
once seperated try to get the plec eating again,

 

[pirate monkey]

Thanks for the replies.

BigBadBaz, the kribs definitely aren't a problem for him, it's only the texas that's been an issue, and even he hasn't bothered the sailfin since he went into hiding.

Davo, unfortunately I don't have another tank big enough for him, he's huge and I only have a spare 10g. I will certainly try melafix - does this have to be in half dose due to the plec or is it ok at full dose cos it's natural med?

Any ideas as to how to get him eating?

 

[Davo86]

Use half a dose but i would also do another big water change beforehand to get your nitrate level slightly lower.
Also increase the aeration in the tank.

throw some frozen bloodworm (or similar high-protein food) near his direction and see if he takes any, continue to offer him very small amounts during the day

 

[pirate monkey]

Genius - I gave the nitrate levels from before the last water change - just tested again and its less than 10ppm...

Gave bloodworm last night but don't know if Herman (the sailfin) got any - he's hiding right under the filter and as its a corner tank it's not easy to get down there. He's got a courgette sat right in front of his nose right now but it doesn't look like he's touched it. I don't even know that he's definitely still alive at the moment so I have a predicament - do I go poking around and stress him further or just leave him be til later?

Bless the severum, he's still sat with Herman keeping watch over him!

I feel so hopeless wish I could do more

Here's a pic of him when he was happier...

 

[pirate monkey]

He died last night...

 

[Davo86]

He died last night...

sorry for your loss
RIP Herman

 

[pirate monkey]

thank you, will be weird not seeing him around, hanging off the glass and getting into odd positions...