Sick nijsseni ?

[anewbie]

The male looks a bit bloated and seems to be breathing heavily. I think he's been like this for close to a week. I know with rams there doesn't seem to be a lot you can do - i do feed the fishes zuc twice a week and other greens. Everyone else in the tank seems ok (I'm using it grow out 10 angels that i raised from eggs - they are around an inch now). The nitrates in the tank has been running a little high (around 25); i do two 50% water changes a week and been keeping the temp around 78. In about a month I'll remove the angels and drop the temp to 76. The female seems ok.

Any suggestions ?

 

[anewbie]

Here is another picture showing is bloat:

 

[anewbie]

Would an epson salt bath hurt? I could put him in a pail with tank water and some epson salt for 15 minutes - not sure how much epson salt to use.

 

[Mike Wise]

Are scales raised on the abdomen? It kind of looks like it in the photo. If so, look up 'dropsy'.

 

[anewbie]

I don't think so here is another picture; he is gasping quite a bit. While i don't think iti s dropsy if it were how would i treat him specifically. Sort of getting to the point where i think i have to try something because it has been over a week. I'd like to save him because he isn't that old and it not his fault i can't give him better water.
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Hum from this it sounds like if it is dropsy i might as well as dig a hole for him:

Treating dropsy

hello i have recently purchased an apistogramma viejita II from a good source but soon after i discovered he had gill flukes i didnt ring up the shop bad idea. my geos got it too but i dealt with that over the next three weeks. i then moved him to his own tank and about a week later he got it...

apistogramma.com

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So i guess we have to hope it is something else ?

Are scales raised on the abdomen? It kind of looks like it in the photo. If so, look up 'dropsy'.

 

[anewbie]

Is there a way to treat him if the scales are not yet raised. I don't see any in the above pictures or in person.

 

[jantan]

It helps to look at the fish from above. Pineconing scales will be much easier to see. Unfortunately dropsy is symptom and can be caused by a variety of things including bacterial, viral or parasitic infections. Very occasionally people have had success with broad spectrum antibiotics. Sorry the outlook isn't better

 

[anewbie]

Even from above i don't see any obvious pineconing (yet). Ok. I guess what people are saying is it is not treatable and i just have to wait and see what happens. The female is still fine and quite active.