EBJD Flashing a little... would like advice

[FreakIndeed]

I'm more experienced with small tropical fish and this is really the first problem I've ran into since keeping a "big" fish, so I wanted to solicit advice before I made any moves.

I have about a 5 inch Electric Blue Jack Dempsey with a school of Tiger Barbs and a Raphael Cat. I've noticed that the EBJD left eye has become just a little bit cloudy and I've seen him flash a bit (usually favoring the left side a well). He's still eating like normal and doesn't appear to be feeling bad. I'm wondering if I should start taking any steps to nip any potential problem before it starts or if I should just maintain good water quality and watch it.

I do 50% water changes each week, but could ramp that up for a week or so. Should I add a little salt or use any medications yet? I've had this EBJD for about a year now since he was less than a half inch and have never had to treat him for anything, so I'm always a little nervous about using fish meds.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Hawkfish3.0]

What are your water parameters? What's the temp set at?

Maybe going to a twice-weekly WC schedule for a few weeks and raising the temp a few degrees and adding some aquarium salt would go a long way in curing whatever is ailing your EBJD. Always start with the easiest solutions and see how that goes. If he doesn't get any better, it may be time to look at meds.

 

[FreakIndeed]

Ammonia and Nitrite at 0. Nitrate below 10 (keep floating Hornwart to keep this low). Temp is right at 80 (it's a little warmer now that the house is warming up). Feed twice daily, pretty small feedings.

 

[DarthV]

Have you added any fish lately?

 

[FreakIndeed]

The barbs and Raphael Cat have been in the tank for several months now and that was only after a couple week quarantine period. The hornwart has only been in the tank a few weeks. However, I transfered the plants from my own planted tank with Discus (very healthy tank).

He's a pretty skittish fish. Doesn't like a lot of movement around the outside of the tank. That is one thing that has changed. Over the last couple weeks we've been moving around a lot of stuff in the room where he is. Possible injury or maybe just from the added stress?

Thanks for the replies.