EMERGENCY. JD Seriously Ill

[EccelaEkaj]

It’s been about 2 coming into 3 weeks since my JD has ate. And today I’ve found him lethargically laying on the gravel and not swimming at all. He’s breathing heavy through his mouth as well. I was told earlier on this website that nothing may be wrong with him may just be a phase but the way he is right now he won’t last another few days I’m afraid. Please give me suggestions what I can do. No white poop so not a parasite. When he does swim around It’s apparent he’s using ALL his strength

 

[kno4te]

Water quality good? Tankmates? Mouth looks a bit open or just the pic?

 

[silverrhino8]

Definitely test the water. And check your heater too.

 

[EccelaEkaj]

Water quality good? Tankmates? Mouth looks a bit open or just the pic?

Pic just happened to be when his mouth open the most when breathing but breathing hard. All tank mates are completely fine so don’t believe it’s ammonia poisoning.

 

[EccelaEkaj]

Definitely test the water. And check your heater too.

Water temps all good parameters ammonia little high but nothing to cause ammonia poisoning. All tank mates are 100% fine eating normally normal energy levels. Can’t be ammonia poisoning can’t be parasite what else could it be. Doing a large water change now

 

[EccelaEkaj]

Severum and threadfin geo both perfectly good. tigerbarns and cory cats both good as well so i’m stumped what’s wrong with JD.

 

[EccelaEkaj]

View attachment 1429782Severum and threadfin geo both perfectly good. tigerbarns and cory cats both good as well so i’m stumped what’s wrong with JD.

Water looks dirty in this pic because I’m changing water right now so sediments kicked up

 

[EccelaEkaj]

He’s still defending his territory when the other two swim by so he’s still got some fight in him

 

[silverrhino8]

Hmmm sounds like you have things under control (or you will after that water change). Sometimes fish struggle with internal problems we'll never be able to determine. I've had mystery casualties over the years. It could have some sort of organ problem etc.

This is always controversial but I'll post it anyway since you're desperate....try adding some aquarium salt to the tank. Some people on here will advise against it. But in safe doses it's fine for your fish and does repair fins and gills fast. I've had hit and miss results with it for swimming issues. Sometimes it helps my fish regain swimming ability and sometimes it doesn't do anything. It's worth a shot imo.

 

[Gourami Swami]

Hard to say based off the info given, but in a cycled aquarium usually should be 0, if anything nitrate would rise but the ammonia shouldn't go up unless something disturbs the bacteria population, or bioload is increased a bunch. Done anything like cleaning filter media lately? Or anything out of ordinary that would cause ammonia to be detectable?