Malawi Mayhem

tyrone_40

Hi,

Our female Red Zebra has a swollen tummy since the past two days and its seems quite noticeable. She seems active and swims around the tank. Not showing any signs of stress or sickness. Should I move her to another tank and fast her for a couple of days with some epsom salts? We usually feed flakes and Hikari Pellets with the occassional blood worms. I never pre-soak the pellets.....I hope thats not the problem. They sure gulp a lot during feeding time.

The water parameters are ok

PH 8
KH 6/7
GH 10

Thanks
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Tanks

75 Gallon mixed mbuna
55 Gallon (to be Sc. Fryeri Breeding Tank) when i get some pure ones
18 Gallon tank
10 Gallon Livebearers tank
3 Gallon Fry Tank

Raf · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 10:37 pm Post subject:

Any of these signs?

spitting motions
not eating
spitting out food
white, stringy feces
heavy breathing

yes? no?
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tyrone_40 · Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2003 10:43 pm Post subject:

Not sure of spitting motions
eating well
faeces last time was dark in colour
seems as tho breathing is heavy as the mouth is more open than normal

what do u mean by heavy breathing?
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Tanks

75 Gallon mixed mbuna
55 Gallon (to be Sc. Fryeri Breeding Tank) when i get some pure ones
18 Gallon tank
10 Gallon Livebearers tank
3 Gallon Fry Tank

Raf · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 7:26 am Post subject:

Ok, sounds ok for now.....fast them for a few days, it won't hurt... Smile

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tyrone_40 · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 8:28 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Last nite when I went home I found her hiding among the rocks. I pretended to feed and they all came up including her. Her belly still looks rounded and swollen, so I removed her (boy was she hard to catch even in that state) and put her in our 4 gallon fry tank after doing a 50% water change and adding 1 tbsp epsom salt and 1 tsp normal salt. Today morning she was alive.

Haven't fed her since two days now.

Tyrone
_________________
Tanks

75 Gallon mixed mbuna
55 Gallon (to be Sc. Fryeri Breeding Tank) when i get some pure ones
18 Gallon tank
10 Gallon Livebearers tank
3 Gallon Fry Tank

Raf · Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 9:12 pm Post subject:

Keep us updated, especially with regards to the symptoms.
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tyrone_40 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 9:39 pm Post subject:

Just wanted to give an update.

She is still in the 4 gallon tank on day 2 after adding some epsom salts and salt. Stomach still looks fat and swollen sorta whitish. Overall she looks healthy and not stressed.

Do I have to do a water change if so, when and how much?
_________________
Tanks

75 Gallon mixed mbuna
55 Gallon (to be Sc. Fryeri Breeding Tank) when i get some pure ones
18 Gallon tank
10 Gallon Livebearers tank
3 Gallon Fry Tank

Raf · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 11:19 pm Post subject:

It doesn't hurt to change the water, just make sure you keep the salinity constant ie. replace the salt that you take away with the change.
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tyrone_40 · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2003 11:32 pm Post subject:

Just correct me if i'm wrong. So if I do a 50% water change after every 2 days I should add about 1/2 tbsp epsom salts and 1/2 tsp normal salt as initially I added 1tbsp epsom salt and 1 tsp normal salt being a 4 gallon tank.
_________________
Tanks

75 Gallon mixed mbuna
55 Gallon (to be Sc. Fryeri Breeding Tank) when i get some pure ones
18 Gallon tank
10 Gallon Livebearers tank
3 Gallon Fry Tank

Raf · Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2003 6:59 am Post subject:

you got it! Wink

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Tony · Posted: Fri Sep 12, 2003 5:50 am Post subject:

Fishguts · egg Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 82

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http://nycichlids.com/index.php?sid=8019716fd35a1f189cb8a0be6ab7e177

"Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar"

A song about a group's love for their audience.

Jason · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 1:33 am Post subject:

Great post fishguts!

I've been looking for a way to explain that to people! Smile

Fishguts · egg Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 82

Thanks J

Now all you have to do is just cut/paste it.

I purposely didn't go overboard explaining it. This is a nicely boiled down explanation for ease of understanding. With the naladixic acid and dimetronidazole along with the epsom, my cure rate has been 95% at least.

If anyone feels they have a sick fish, I recommend learning what cures what and then pay attention to the med package ingredient list. BEWARWE! much misinfo on the web. Far too many people feel that just because it's on a website, it's golden. I'm here to tell you it's not. Get your info from people that have tons of tanks and have been breeding/keeping for like forever and have no time at all to set up a website! (there are a few exceptions).
_________________
http://nycichlids.com/index.php?sid=8019716fd35a1f189cb8a0be6ab7e177

"Singing to an ocean, I can hear the ocean's roar"

A song about a group's love for their audience.

Raf · Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2003 6:10 pm Post subject:

Can you give us an update...is the fish still eating and pooping fine? Cause guts seems to think it's bloat, I for one am not so sure....
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