Flowerhorn not eating and pooping white strings/ bloated

[Akhilesh]

Ok, so i have been treating my flower horn with Epsom salt solution by injecting it directly into the stomach. My fish however refuses to eat food even though his condition has been improving gradually ( two days ago he refuses to react to my presence, now he comes to me when i show my hand ). This has been going on for over a week. Any idea at what point of time do they start eating or do i have to force feed pellets ? Getting a bit worried as even though his overall condition has increased he is refusing to consume pellets.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[kno4te]

Ok, so i have been treating my flower horn with Epsom salt solution by injecting it directly into the stomach. My fish however refuses to eat food even though his condition has been improving gradually ( two days ago he refuses to react to my presence, now he comes to me when i show my hand ). This has been going on for over a week. Any idea at what point of time do they start eating or do i have to force feed pellets ? Getting a bit worried as even though his overall condition has increased he is refusing to consume pellets.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

If it’s early on and treatment (guess work) is directed against the specific bug. Could be just stressed from sickness or direct injection of the Epsom salt. No way to predict if it’ll start eating soon. I’d try soaking some food in garlic or bloodworm juice. Hope things improve.

 

[Akhilesh]

Thanks for your reply. However in one of the posts, it states that treatment via injecting the solution thru mouth should be continued until the fish accepts pellets. My question is how long do I have to continue the injecting method if the fish is stressed about this .

 

[Rocksor]

Use epsom salt solution on freeze dried krill. Make sure it is soaked until it won't absorb anymore. Feed one pellet at a time so it is consumed immediately once it hits the water. The krill will be the replacement for the pellet. I haven't found a fish that rejects freeze dried krill yet. You can pellet train later, without epsom salt, once treatment with epsom salt solution and freeze dried krill is finished.

How big is the flowerhorn?

 

[Akhilesh]

He is quite large. Around 14 inches in length. Has always been a ferocious eater . Been only on a pellet diet. Sad to see him this way though.

Will give the frozen krill a shot. Any other suggestions would also be helpful. Thanks again

 

[Akhilesh]

An update - he managed to take in two pellets, but spits it out immediately. I assume this is progress from not being interested at all to trying to eat.

 

[Horn888]

Hello.

If there appears to be white stringy poop and continues to reject pellets. Start using "clear" you can get from amazon right now for 17.99

Treat for 5 days straight.

Dont feed during 5 days.

On 6th day , feed 1 or few pellets depending on mood of fish.

Water change. 30 - 50%