- Have you tested your water?
- Yes
- If I did not test my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
- Do you do water changes?
- Yes
- If I do not change my water...
- ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
I've never had to treat bloat or hex in fish before (usually I keep nano fish which don't seem to be as prone to this). My new 5.5" male flowerhorn came in the mail a little over 2 weeks ago. I think I was scammed because he showed up grossly bloated and unable to swim with white poop. Basically spent the next couple days laying in a corner of the tank. Otherwise fine with clear eyes, good skin, not breathing heavy, etc. Looked very alert and attempted to fight his reflection & the neighboring betta for a bit. He wouldn't eat so I've been syringe-feeding metronidazole solution down his throat twice a day and giving him daily epsom salt baths + large water changes. After not seeing any changes, a couple days ago I started to dose his tank with nitrofurazone and kanamycin in addition to the metronidazole as a broad-spectrum treatment. I stopped the epsom baths since they aren't healthy long-term and didn't seem to make a difference.
He's swimming more than laying now and enthusiastically eat bloodworms (spits out other foods). I'd rather have him eat something unhealthy than nothing at all when he is so weak. His poops are normal now, as well. He's also no longer afraid of me/bites my hands despite the fact that I literally yoink him out of the water 2x a day. So he must be feeling better, not 100% but getting there. However, the swelling in his belly has not gone down AT ALL. It's still 2-3x as wide as it should be and he "waddles" when swimming like a goldfish. He also sinks to the bottom when not moving. He can't stay buoyant.
Is this just a symptom that takes a long time to go away? Or is it a sign of something worse like organ damage/excess internal fluids?
He's in a cycled 17 gal hospital tank (has a cycled 90g waiting for him when he's healthy). Daily 100% WC. API liquid test kit shows 0 0 0 because I change the water so often, but it is cycled. I have a hob, small wave maker, and a bubble maker for extra oxygen. Temperature is at 80. Male kamfa, not a short body, golden base fader if that matters.
He's swimming more than laying now and enthusiastically eat bloodworms (spits out other foods). I'd rather have him eat something unhealthy than nothing at all when he is so weak. His poops are normal now, as well. He's also no longer afraid of me/bites my hands despite the fact that I literally yoink him out of the water 2x a day. So he must be feeling better, not 100% but getting there. However, the swelling in his belly has not gone down AT ALL. It's still 2-3x as wide as it should be and he "waddles" when swimming like a goldfish. He also sinks to the bottom when not moving. He can't stay buoyant.
Is this just a symptom that takes a long time to go away? Or is it a sign of something worse like organ damage/excess internal fluids?
He's in a cycled 17 gal hospital tank (has a cycled 90g waiting for him when he's healthy). Daily 100% WC. API liquid test kit shows 0 0 0 because I change the water so often, but it is cycled. I have a hob, small wave maker, and a bubble maker for extra oxygen. Temperature is at 80. Male kamfa, not a short body, golden base fader if that matters.
