Originally Posted by
Swedgin
I’ve had a similar situation with one of my heckels some time ago, almost as bad as yours. treated the whole tank with API general cure (metro) and started adding discus trace minerals to the water, upped the water changes, and added vitamins as you are doing to the food. Completely closed now, the fish looks like new. In my case I’m very certain the reason was mineral and vitamin deficiency due to a very one sided nutrition, FDBW all day every day.
Also on the matrix, I have pumice in all my filtration for all tanks and honestly have no issues with nitrates or anything else. In the end it’s just porous rubble, Seachem lay it on a bit thick with their claims in my opinion.
Either way, best of luck with this fella, once you notice some healing I’m sure there’s a good chance for recovery.