Need HELP!!!

[s0me]

My GT is acting REALLY weird... he is swimming very slowly and he seems to be flipping himself over. He is fighting like a bugger to keep himself level though, I think that's a good sign? I don't know what else to say about his actions. I am really worried, I have had him for years and don't want to lose him.

I have attached some pictures, hopefully someone can help me out.

[Julie]

His stomach looks bloated in the first pic.  What does he normally eat?

[s0me]

I feed him HBH super cichlid sinkers and shrimp pellets.

I was checking other forums and they say it could be a blockage or his bladder...

I have added some salt to the tank, but I don't know what else to do.

I have had him for years, and grown very attached....I will do anything...

[Julie]

Epsom salt (1tsp/10gallon) may help for bloat.

[squeeker]

Try feeding him frozen peas:  thawed and shelled.  Put a grain of epsom salt inside the pea.  This will purge his system, and clear any blockages.

[Raven]

or an ex-lax pill inside the pea?

[Raven]

sorry for beeing a jackass. have you thought of treating for internal parasites?

[s0me]

I haven't yet. Do you recommend anything in particular?

[Raven]

there are a lot of diferent medications out there.im sure big al's or any lfs has a couple of brands.ill do a search and let you know .

[Raven]

http://www.pets-warehouse.com/aquacart/Medication.htm
here is a little list of the medications that can be used for all sorts of diseases/parasites . you can try aquamed parasite guard  to treat internal parasites and there is also  a medicted fish food from the same company.people at big al or superpet can help you .hope this helps.good luck!

[squeeker]

PraziPro is good for internal parasites.

[s0me]

Only problem is I don't know if he is going to eat. He is constantly struggling to get his balance. He keeps floating to the top and the tries to swim back down. I think he is getting tired as he is now resting on a portion of the driftwood I have in the tank. His stomach still seems to be bloated, so I am not sure wether it would be a blockage or a parasite. He was fine one minute, then I fed him when I came home from work as I normally do and then it started.

I will head out to BA tomorrow and see what I can get for him.

Thanks guys for all of your help.

[BigDaddy]

If you haven't done the epsom salts yet, do it now.

[blueturq]

Also, if he's bloated... I wouldn't feed him for a couple days (it could make things worse).

[Sailfin]

or an ex-lax pill inside the pea?
_________________
i would love to strangle all the people that go into pet shops and want to buy ''nemo fish'' when they have no freaking idea how to care for them.

Interesting statement you have below your messages!

I would like to strangle petshop employees who think that they too actually know something about these fish also and you see the clown fish dying in their tanks at their place of employment!

[s0me]

I have done a 25% water change added salt and mela fix. He seems to just float on his side with his head down. He will attempt to go and swim from time to time. I don't think he is doing too well. He has been like this now for two days.

Does this look like swimmers bladder or anything else? I am stumped and not sure what else I can do for the poor guy.

[s0me]

Well, it has been a couple of days and I think he is getting worse. I have done water changes and salt, added some mela fix to the tank etc... He now appears to be getting tail rot and he has a skin irritation on his belly. I went to BA today to pick up some medicine, to which they told me I don't need any. I have now put him in his own tank to hopefully rid him of any bacteria possible. I have attached another pic hoping someone in this group can help me out. I seriously doubt the knowledge of BA which is sad.

Thanks folks.

[luvfishies]

You need to treat him with EPSOM salt, not just "salt".

Get him into a bucket, at least 5g, with 1 tbsp Epsom salt dissolved in it. Stick a bubbler in there, too.

Daily waterchanges with epsom water, for about 3 days, and he should start perking up. don't use meds at this point. EPSOM salt treats bloat. Salt does nothing in a case like this.

[Raven]

i ws dissapionted with the people at ba's too. i like sp kanata much much better.

[squeeker]

Honestly, if he'll eat, try the epsom-salt-grain-in-the-pea thing like I suggested earlier.  It really works to purge their system, and it's harmless.

And yes, don't use regular salt, as it will only make him more bloated (concentration/osmosis, remember highschool chemistry!).  Epsoms will help to do the opposite.