How do I treat an a Apistogramma that is dragging the bottom

[Prince]

My female A. Panduro is dragging the herself along the substrate. She is eating fine. But she seems unable to generate bouyance with her swim balladder. The last food she was feed before I discovered that was blood worms. I did a 50% water change up the temp and added some salt. The next day I started dosing ethromycin. Is this the proper course of treatment?

 

[Beeman]

Not weighing in with any helpful advise unfortunately, but I'm very curious about the blood-worm aspect here. I have lost a few fish over the last year within a day or two after feeding blood-worms, all were in fine health up to the feeding. I suspect impaction, so have stopped feeding blood-worms. Has anyone else found similar consequences after feeding blood-worms?

 

[Prince]

I think left over blood worms in the tank that are eaten later may be the cause. But I don't know. If I can't cure this she will be the second fish I have lost to this type of illness. Because I didn't know how to cure it.

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[leisure_man]

I hate seeing 'belly slider' (not the kind from the restaurant), sounds like a case of swim bladder infection. Most of the time it is caused by gram +ve bacteria. You can probably use any broad spectrum antibiotics to take care of it. Some people report positive results with Maracyn 1&2 combine. 1 is for +ve and 2 is for -ve.

 

[Andrew]

A modest dose of Epsom salts can help too. 1 teaspoon/10 gallons.

 

[Prince]

I hate seeing 'belly slider' (not the kind from the restaurant), sounds like a case of swim bladder infection. Most of the time it is caused by gram +ve bacteria. You can probably use any broad spectrum antibiotics to take care of it. Some people report positive results with Maracyn 1&2 combine. 1 is for +ve and 2 is for -ve.

Thanks I have started a course of Eythromycin. I will try that if the Eythromycin doesn't work.

 

[Prince]

After further research I have found that eythromycin treats gram+ & gram- bacteria. I hope I can cure this fish.


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[jonclark96]

Good luck. Let us know if it works.

 

[verbal]

good luck

 

[leisure_man]

You should see positive result like the fish starting to come off the bottom in a couple of days. If not, chances are it is too far gone.

 

[JLW]

Have you tried injecting the fish with a small amount of air?

What's your water quality like? A lot of time, "belly sliding" is more a sign of deteriorating water quality than anything else.

I would be hesitant to use erythromyacin. It is mostly for gram positive bacteria, and it's effectiveness is suspect. It really does damage your biofilter, though. I would try, instead, Kanamycin.

 

[Prince]

The eythromycin seemed to help some. I am trying Maracyn 2 starting today. The fish isn't circling the drain so I guess that's a positive.


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