So over the weekend I spotted a discus for $69.99 on death-row at a local LFS. He was laying on his side in the back of the tank, solid black, cloudy eyes, and almost all of his fins ragged/torn/rotted away. Poor guy finally spotted us and swam over to "look" though with the severity of his eyes, I doubt he can see much other than shadows. I felt so bad for him. I asked what was going on and was told that they didn't know, and that "he just started doing that".
Whatev. So, I asked how much they wanted for him, and that I wanted to take him home to the q tank and give him a shot. He came back and said we could just have him. I watched happily as he scooped him up, bagged him and set him on the counter. I couldn't wait to get him home.
Well once home, we got him in the tank and watched him explore this new environment to the best of his seeing capabilities. I gave him a piece of drift wood, since that was what he was laying beside at the store. He chooses to hover near the heater. Last night, I decided to move one of my juvies in with him because I noticed some white poo and that his appetite is not nearly what it was two weeks ago, so treatment for him was already on my mind before we got newbie. I believe that to be a good move on my part. Newbie seems happier knowing there is someone there, and that juvie always gets picked on, so he seems even happier, and a bit more confident. We had lost another rescue that had a bent spine, and was around 6 inches, to whom he had gotten attached too and stayed near him as if he were his protector. Understandable. So with the new guy being around 4-5 inches, I think juvie is feeling that again, not to mention that beneath the newb's black exterior, I can see a blood red and bright blue hue to him that lightened since we have had him, and his face is a yellowish white.
I want to make sure I give him everything he needs. So far he has gingerly picked at bloodworms and ignored flake. I don't expect him to be hungry in his state, but am worried about him keeping his strength up. Should I force feed? Seems to stressful in his state... I make sure to remove the excess food once a day, so he is getting a mini water change w/gravel vac every day, along with a 40-50% change every other day. I cannot find Prazi locally that isn't $50 for a tiny bottle, and the one I did find was expired..
, so I am going to order it, but wanted to know what else I am going to need to buy so that I can include it as well. I treated with some metro tabs, but am out of those now, and put methylene blue in there to (hopefully) help with any fungal problem until I could get some help. I know not to expect or hope for too much, but I do want to at least give him a chance, and with the improvement made in only two days, I have my fingers crossed for now
Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Whatev. So, I asked how much they wanted for him, and that I wanted to take him home to the q tank and give him a shot. He came back and said we could just have him. I watched happily as he scooped him up, bagged him and set him on the counter. I couldn't wait to get him home.
Well once home, we got him in the tank and watched him explore this new environment to the best of his seeing capabilities. I gave him a piece of drift wood, since that was what he was laying beside at the store. He chooses to hover near the heater. Last night, I decided to move one of my juvies in with him because I noticed some white poo and that his appetite is not nearly what it was two weeks ago, so treatment for him was already on my mind before we got newbie. I believe that to be a good move on my part. Newbie seems happier knowing there is someone there, and that juvie always gets picked on, so he seems even happier, and a bit more confident. We had lost another rescue that had a bent spine, and was around 6 inches, to whom he had gotten attached too and stayed near him as if he were his protector. Understandable. So with the new guy being around 4-5 inches, I think juvie is feeling that again, not to mention that beneath the newb's black exterior, I can see a blood red and bright blue hue to him that lightened since we have had him, and his face is a yellowish white.
I want to make sure I give him everything he needs. So far he has gingerly picked at bloodworms and ignored flake. I don't expect him to be hungry in his state, but am worried about him keeping his strength up. Should I force feed? Seems to stressful in his state... I make sure to remove the excess food once a day, so he is getting a mini water change w/gravel vac every day, along with a 40-50% change every other day. I cannot find Prazi locally that isn't $50 for a tiny bottle, and the one I did find was expired..
, so I am going to order it, but wanted to know what else I am going to need to buy so that I can include it as well. I treated with some metro tabs, but am out of those now, and put methylene blue in there to (hopefully) help with any fungal problem until I could get some help. I know not to expect or hope for too much, but I do want to at least give him a chance, and with the improvement made in only two days, I have my fingers crossed for nowThanks for taking the time to read this.
