Sick Zebra Danio

[BobK]

Okay, I have some Zebra Danios. I've had these fish for around 4 years so maybe they are 4 1/2 -5 years old. I think they're nearing the end of their average life span. Now, two of them, females I think, are very fat and have been for months. I thought they may have been eggbound or something but they were acting totally normal. I thought they might have been constipated but they didn't find shucked peas very appetizing. I thought they might have had dropsy but I don't think their scales are protruding. This morning I found one of them lying on it's side at the bottom. Once in a while it will swim a little bit, but not normally. This makes me think the swim bladder is involved but I don't know what to do. Any ideas? Is it just old age? Oh, just tested ammonia and nitrites are both zero. Temperature is 78F. Tank is 75 gallons and is been up and running 6 months. I change 15-20% of the water weekly and treat with Tetra AquaSafe. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[The-Wolf]

4 years is the average life for ZD's.
It's good to see that ypou have kept them healthy all this time, well done to you.

 

[BobK]

Thanks Wolf. I was hoping there was something I could do for them. I hate to see it suffer although it is sitting at the bottom peacefully and doesn't seem to be gasping or anything. I never euthanized a fish before and don't want to now, but I'm afraid I may have to. I was hoping you'd reply to this post, thanks again.

 

[phil]

Hi Fisharefun

I also had a zebra danio that went the same way as you describe - it seemed to be finally put down to swimbladder disease.

Unfortunately the prognosis is`nt good if it is - I found my ZD dead on the bottom of the tank with a hole in its gut where I assume its guts exploded outwards.

mine lived for about 5 days lying on its side.

Sorry I can`t be more positive.

Phil