Egg-bound P. Taeniatus

[cedartree]

I have a Moliwe female that appears to be severely egg-bound. I'm sure it's not Dropsy as her color is good and she is still eating. Of course she is swimming clumsily, more like a waddle given her size I guess. I surfed the web and the major recommendation is to use Epsom salts. The method I used is to put a tbsp of epsom salt in a gallon of tank water and let her soak in that for 15-20 minutes and then return her to her tank. I also add an airstone to the container I soak her in. I've used this for 3 days in a row but see no improvement. She is currently in 10 gal tank along with a male Moliwe. Any recommendations will be appreciated.
Walt

 

[electric eel]

i have had some limited sucess with live adult brine shrimp(with angelfish).i read somewhere that they have a mild laxative(similar to the epsom) affect.unfortunately at least in my experience they usually keep eating right up till they die and i've only been able to save a couple( i've lost every none angelfish female that became eggbound)someone told me you could apply gentle pressure to the abdomin and force the eggs out but i've always been afraid to try but i've had a couple that died that i applied the least bit of pressure and the eggs squirted out.good luck!it really sucks when this happens.

 

[cedartree]

egg-bound P. Taeniatus Moliwe

For Ted Judy:

No improvement in my female Moliwe. Still has good color and is eating but no reduction of the bloating. Do you have any suggestions? I'm sure you've seen this given your extensive experience with the species. Thanks.
Walt

 

[cedartree]

For electric eel:

Thanks for the response. I don't have access to adult brine shrimp here. However, I do have frozen mysis shrimp and brine shrimp with spirulina, also frozen. Do you think this would be an adequate substitute? The female is still eating and her coloring is fine. However, she has been swollen like this for more than a week so I'm not optimistic about her recovery.
Walt