Best way to treat Bloat OR Swollen Belly?

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d3adlydesignz

d3adlydesignz

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Nov 21, 2016
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I'm just curious on whats the best way to treat bloat or swollen belly. I have a fish that I got for free and I'm trying to save it before it becomes fatal and never had to deal with this issue yet. So what would you recommend, whats the best and most effective method?
 
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That really depends. Do you suspect it has a blockage, parasites, egg bound or bacterial infection? All have different treatments.

If it's just backed up you can feed it thawed frozen peas. If the fish is bigger you can even put an epsom salt in the pea to help relieve the fish. Watching it closely to be sure it poops.

You can also do epsom salt dips. Using tank water in a separate bucket add 1tbls per gal and put the fish in it for 15-30mins. Watching to be sure it doesn't get too stressed. And again watching to make sure it poops.

The poop will also give you a better idea of what's going on with the fish.
 
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I am 80% sure its pooping. At least after I did a Epson bath yesturday. How long does it usually take to see results from the Epson bath? And the bad part is I don't think she's eating much at all.
 
It should be pretty quick. If it doesn't poop while in the bath it should shortly after. How bad was the conditions it was kept in?
And what kinda fish are we talking about? Is it being kept in a hospital tank right now?
 
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MrsE88 said:
It should be pretty quick. If it doesn't poop while in the bath it should shortly after. How bad was the conditions it was kept in?
And what kinda fish are we talking about? Is it being kept in a hospital tank right now?
Click to expand...

Someone gave me the fish actually. And yes currently in a hospital tank its a jewel cichlid.
 
Did they just bring it to you or did you see it's old tank? How is the fish acting?
Not eating could just be from the stress of being somewhere new. Keep the water as clean and stable as possible (I'm sure you already are). The poop will help the most.

What does the poop look like? Is it solid or white and stringy?

If it's white and stringy I'd treat for parasites.
 
It was active. But it was also in a tank with a lot of other fish. So it had to be. And from the little i seen it was white and stringy. On that note what is a good way to treat parasites?
 
I think metronidazole is a good one. And so is fenbendazole. That one you can get as medicated food or as a powder to soak their food in before feeding.
 
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there a lot of causes for bloat. The epsom salts are a good starting point. fenbendazole is a great dewormer. It is a little harder to get hold of. It is best if eaten but can treat the whole tank. It is very hard to dissolve. Prazi is easier to find and a little easier to dissolve. It won't get camallanus. metro is good for protozoan and hexamitosis/spiro
 
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