Constipated fish?

[HypeMan808]

I traded my 2 mbuna's for 2 female angel fishes about 2 weeks ago.
I traded it because the angel fishes looked fat and I though they were full of eggs but it wasn't.. They look so fat and about to explode.

They haven't been eating since I got them and one is upside down but still strong. She looks like she has boyancy problems.

I tried feeding them peas but that didn't work. she just spit them out. I tried forcing them to eat it by mashing the peas and puttin it in her mouth with a dull end of a toothpick and that didn't work either.

Next I tried epsom salt bath treatments twice a day, 10 minutes.
My measurement is 1 tbsp/Gallon of water.
I've been treating them with epsom salt for about a week already and yet no improvement what so ever.
I haven't seen 1 tiny dodo since I got them and they are in a barebottom 5.5 gallon tank. (Quarentine tank)

Any suggestions? I can upload pics if that would help.

 

[knifegill]

You're doing most of what I would do. Keep it up.

Your salt concentration is not a dipping concentration, though. For quick dips, you want 5 tablespoons per gallon. The dosage you are using is the normal amount to add to a main tank.

Did you raise the temp up to about 85ºF? That alone can help, as can a huge water change.

Dodo?

 

[knifegill]

Updates?

 

[HypeMan808]

I added that amount to the main tank last night.

Woke up to the fish upright.
I was happy to see that..
Did a water change, added more salt, then went out to do errands.

I went to check on her in the evening she is now floating on the top of the tank belly up.
What did I do now?

And no I don't have a heater on her. I don't have one small enough for a 5.5 gal.
I have to get one. The smallest I have is a 200watt.

 

[knifegill]

Wait, you're using the 5.5 gallon as a dip tank?

 

[HypeMan808]

Nope, I'm using a 1 gallon bowl as a dip tank.

I think that I will put my angel down already.
My female doesn't seem to be getting any better.
Worse in fact..

My angel is floating uncontrollably on the surface now.
I really don't see how she use to sink once before now she's floating.

 

[redtailshark1]

most people dont actually understand that freshwater tanks need a small amount of salt.
I use the amount of 1 tea spoon per gallon if i fear that there is a health problem that may occur.1/1
on a regular basis i use the rate of 1 tea spoon to 4 gallons. (1/4)
some peoplle do not understand this and i bet I will get some replys from people that think it is not needed and think i am stupid.
this is cichlid salt mix sodium chloride(salt), bicarb soda, magnesium sulphate(epsom salt), calcium cloride(coral grinded into dust) and lots of other sodium products

 

[HypeMan808]

Wow, What a coincidence.
A person that I just bought fishes from today just said the same exact thing.
like you said 1 tsp per gallon.

I will do so also... but do it your way. 1 tsp per 4 gals.

He said it makes all the difference. I believe him and you too.