Firemouth help

[rich4297]

I recently purchased 3 fm and a jack Dempsey about 1" to 1.5" the jd was about 2". I put them in a 50 gallon breeder to grow them out for my 150. They were fine for about 2 weeks, eating like pigs all of them. Then the jack got agrresive and had them all in the corners of the tank. I moved the jack into the 150 problem solved. No. They started hiding in the caves and stopped eating. It's been about a week now and no eating still. I added some silver dollars and they have been moving around but ignore food. I figured maybe they are stressed but what worries me is 2 of them have white trails from there anus that have been there for 2 days. I don't know what this is. I added salt at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons in case it is an infection. Has anyone seen this before. It also looks like there belies are plump. I don't know if they ate the food off the bottom but I doubt it because there is a catfish in there also. Please help if you can. I'll try to get a pic if I can. Thanks


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[rich4297]

Update. One just died a second is on the tank bottom breathing heavy. I dont know what to do. The third seems ok his belly isn't bloated yet. All the silver dollars are fine as is the catfish. I hope the two will make it. I'll update.


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[1bigdovii]

Sound like IP (internal parasites). You need somthing like jungle parasite clear, clout, or pazi pro.

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[Cyberman]

Yeah sounds like parasitic or maybe even bacterial infection exacerbated by stress.

 

[rich4297]

Update another fm died the last one seems ok so far. He was also the least stressed by the jd. All others are fine. Should I still get the meds. Thanks for the input


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[Cyberman]

Make a 50% water change and add a bit of tonic salt to the water as directed (i.e. 1 tablespoon to every 5 gallons) and keep a close eye on it...

 

[cichlidfish]

Not a parasite. Check your water params especially ammonia and nitrite. Sounds like an ammonia spike or not a fully cycled tank.


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[rich4297]

Update all fm are dead everything else is fine. I'll check water parameters and post them shortly. The tank has been established for a long time. I've used it to grow out fish for a larger tank. I'll still check them.


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[rich4297]

Update water parameters are fine am 0 nitrite 0 nitrate 10-20. I used the API freshwater master test kit. It's a shame they were the most beautiful fms I've ever had. I'm going to go to the store I bought them and see if any of the other ones had the same issues. The silver dollars and cat are doing fine


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[fug202]

Sorry for your loss. The plump bellies, lack of eating, and white strings from anus are classic symptoms of bloat. There are a number of recent threads about this condition. It is typically brought on by stress (of one form or another).