I don’t mind if he loses his eye, he isn’t a show fish he is my buddy, my pet. If he can live and be happy with no eyes I don’t mind. So I guess my question is will the salt make him worse? I know he probably wont make it but like I have said I want to try without making it worse. Do I slowly add the rest of the salt to try and stop the infection or do I get the salt out of there. I have read everything in this thread and followed all advice except bring to a vet because it will kill him and putting him to sleep just because he is still fighting to be here and I am fighting too.
Sick Flowerhorn
- Thread starter DawnMichele
- Start date
I think the fundamental question is (whether the fish makes it or not), which salt should be used? Conflicting opinions seem to be rampant about MgSO4 vs NaCl. It would seem that the best remedy (perhaps too late in this case) would be MgSO4 to relieve the pressure and limit damage to the eye. Is this correct? I am not looking for blame or anything related. It just seems odd about the conflicting remedies.
I would not consider erythromycin broad spectrum. It would be my last choice personally. It is mainly effective against gram positive bacteria. Majority of fish diseases are gram negative.
I also have no problems with blind or eye damaged fish.
I had a pair nicararguense that spawned 3 times after a bout with ick, and a 2ndary infection damaged their eyes.
The photo above, is post infection.
A 12" cichlid in a 75 gallon is quite cramped, especially housed with any other fish.
To prevent infections like this I would suggest every other day 30-40% water changes to keep water quality high, a 12" cichlid pumps out plenty of urine, and in a tank that small, for the size fish, a tank full of urine soup happens quickly.
I had a pair nicararguense that spawned 3 times after a bout with ick, and a 2ndary infection damaged their eyes.
The photo above, is post infection.
A 12" cichlid in a 75 gallon is quite cramped, especially housed with any other fish.
To prevent infections like this I would suggest every other day 30-40% water changes to keep water quality high, a 12" cichlid pumps out plenty of urine, and in a tank that small, for the size fish, a tank full of urine soup happens quickly.
Also, salt and antibiotic is a bit too much at once. It is never ever a good approach to make a fish soup with a cocktail of things. Patience is the key, treatments should be one by one, one after the other, week after week, with a good few days break in between to evaluate, as often fish recover after you remove the meds. Meds, salt are also a stressor.....so is salt....
But as Duanes said, it could be beyond repair, especially if injury is suspected as that's what I sort of gathered in the very first posts.
But as Duanes said, it could be beyond repair, especially if injury is suspected as that's what I sort of gathered in the very first posts.
Ok thank you. I am changing at least 50% a day and will continue. Thank you for your help. I didn’t mean to insinuate you had a problem with blind fish, I am sorry if it came across that way. I still don’t know if I am supposed to get the salt that I added out of the tank or leave it. It wasn’t a large dose because I was going to add it slow. I don’t know if I am just not comprehending the salt part correctly.I also have no problems with blind or eye damaged fish.
I had a pair nicararguense that spawned 3 times after a bout with ick, and a 2ndary infection damaged their eyes.
The photo above, is post infection.
A 12" cichlid in a 75 gallon is quite cramped, especially housed with any other fish.
To prevent infections like this I would suggest every other day 30-40% water changes to keep water quality high, a 12" cichlid pumps out plenty of urine, and in a tank that small, for the size fish, a tank full of urine soup happens quickly.
It almost seems like the opinions are 50/50 on the type of salt. Does appear that many advise NaCl if the fish got physical damage which initiated the eye problem. Which makes sense to help prevent infection. So without further comments from others I would stay with the salt, probably at dose Duanes recommended (or lower). Do not get your hopes up.
One thing, if you can afford it (especially with a FH) and you stay fishkeeping, try to build up a medicine cabinet so to speak so you have meds on hand. I do it primarily because of all the things I read on the forum.
Also, not sure about flowerhorms, but for my SA cichlids I change at least 60% water every 5-6 days (less than a week). Which is still probably not as much as I like.
Yes he got scared and hit his KOK at least that’s where I see physical damage. I only used the salt because I was advised. I know nothing about salt or meds for that matter. I just wanted to help him
It didn't come across that way, I was just sayin..
I would still add salt (NaCl).
The epsom may relieve pressure, and is good for purging a gut, but does not replace NaCl.
THe erythropoietin...will fight the bacteria, the salt helps ward of fungus and new infection.
The salt dose I suggest is not excessive, many Mexican and Central American cichlids live in that salinity year round, many the ancestors of FHs.
