Bloated Clown Knife

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Bloated? Is it from overfeeding (or overeating if others are disappearing)?


Exlax??

Please elaborate:)
 
He ate a tremendous amount of shrimp over the last week or so.......its strange that the bloating isnt going away, though he is moving around normally. I checked online to see what advice could be obtained but could find nothing.
 
The bloat is caused by bacteria. Quite a number of fishkeepers (myself included) have been successful in curing bloat as follows:

-Major water change (50%) to start.
-Remove carbon/resins from the filter.
-Add a tablespoon of salt per gallon of water.
-Treat with Metronidazole 250mg per 20gal. Also known as Flagyl.
-Leave the system alone for 3 days and don't feed.
-On the 3dr day, do a 30-40% water change and retreat with Metronidazole at full dosage. Replace the salt.
-Leave the system alone for 3 days. Don't feed.
-The bloat should be visibly reducing by now.
-One the 3rd day, Do a 30-40% water change. Again, retreat and replace salt.
-If the bloat looks well on it's way out, offer a light feeding.
-On the 3rd day, same routine. Begin feeding regularly in smaller than usual portions.
-After the 3rd day, water change and salt. If the bloat looks to be gone skip remedicating.
-Go back to business as usual.

Monitor the feeders you offer the knife for signs of illness. The bloat comes in more often with the feeders than with newly introduced tankmates.

I use a 4 bin rotation for my feeder shiners (1000per bin). Each batch is quarantined/monitored/treated for 3 weeks before feeding out to my predators.
 
I have an 8" clown kno=ife that had bloating caused by ba bacterial infection. It was surprisingly easy to remedy. I used something called Melafix and he cleared up in about a week. just follow the instructions on the bottle for instructions.
 
If it's just constipation shrimp would fix it, however the cause is shrimp. I would suggest a garlic extract or soaking food in an anti bacterial medication.
 
gastroenteritis (a fancy way of saying garbage gut, an infection of bacteria that causes gas and constipation) Oddballs regime should clear it right up, as it gets better sometimes you can see them fart bubbles.
 
guppy said:
gastroenteritis (a fancy way of saying garbage gut, an infection of bacteria that causes gas and constipation) Oddballs regime should clear it right up, as it gets better sometimes you can see them fart bubbles.

This is a slight derailment. But, Guppy's post reminded me of something. I had an asian aro in my office 240 that would fart a long stream of bubbles a half hour after surface feeding (crickets & pellets). People all over the building would call me almost daily to find out when I'd be feeding him so they could plan to come see the Fantastic Farting Fish. Hey Guppy, thanks for the memory recall.
 
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