sick fish

Hello All,

I've got a sick fish and I think I'm treating it right but wondering other opinions.

About two days ago the fish stopped eating, yesterday it looked very bloated and noticed white stringy poop. I moved it to a qt tank. I treated with 2 scoops of seachem metroplex (I don't have pure metronidazole) once per day. Since its been in QT I've noticed its got darker and there's mucus looking stuff floating in the tank and its got it on itself too. I've attached some pictures of the fish.

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You need to add a tablespoon of Epsom Salt per 10 gallons. I don't know how much pure metro is in metroplex, but if it say's on the label, you need enough of it to make 500 mg metro per 10 and continue for 12 days,.

If the bloat continues for any length of time it turns into an internal infection that is very hard to impossible to treat. If the fish doesn't poop by morning, use 2 tablespoons Epsom salt per 10. It acts as a laxative if used soon enough after the bloat starts.

I second what Liz advised here...

Al

If you're seeing slimy mucus looking stuff floating around this could be infection being expelled, which is a good thing.

Mine was swelled up so much it looked like her ribs would poke through the skin. I treated with Kanamycin and a little salt and she made a full recovery after a 10 day treatment.

If it is infection being expelled, make sure you do extra water changes. The bacteria levels will be high.

It's a good idea to have kanamycin on hand, I hope it's not necessary, but if you want to do everything you can do, buy it now. If you live in the States you can get it at Jehmco. They are so good that I love them. I don't even know what other countries you can buy it in.

Jehmco stopped selling all antibiotics (other than metro) as did almost everyone else. There are still a few places that sell it, and other antibiotics, and very few that sell more than just a few types.

I'm stocked up at the moment... Everything Aquatic has the best overall selection, but prices have gone crazy. Most antibiotics are up 300% or more...

Dang. I knew that it was coming but I always hoped not in my lifetime.

Thanks for the advice! I've started it on 1 tbsp Epsom salt / 10 gallons.

Metroplex is 73% metronidazole so I will do the math and dose accurately.

Fish is already pooping so hopefully this cleans him out and he makes a full recovery!

I'll be rooting for you. Please, I want to know how the treatment works for you. It could help me advise others who post with this problem. Since I've never had bloat all, all I can tell people is the "rule of thumb" treatment. It usually works but it would be nice if I could refer to your experience.

unfortunately, the fish didn't make it. I treated as you all suggested but I might have just caught it a little too late.

I'm sorry you lost it.

Wow so sorry! Had nothing to add to the thread but have been watching. Even in the first pic that discus looks great and healthy. Yes it’s bloated but still looks great. What a shame. These fish are just so tough to keep. Again sorry!

Thats a shame, it was a nice fish. IM sorry you lost it.

Al