Healing open wounds

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UPDATE: so I did 30% water change. deep scrub of tank decorations. My ornate has not gone in his log in two days. and is just staying in one corner of the tank. I changed the decorations around. was this a bad move? He's been extra active, and not sure if he's sleeping. Just put everything back into place.

The past 5 days, the fish have been breathing heavily. Especially the convict cichlid. Ornate sometimes, especially after being active. The convict cichlid has always looked bloated and had frayed fins for 3 months. Put an air stone in 5 days ago. Today I wake up and the convict cichlid is on its side breathing harder. Took him out, he's probably going to die. My ornate has been on the complete opposite side of the tank as him(in the corner).

What should I do? Another water change? Cut the cichlid open? Dose the tank for parasites? not sure which parasites if or medication if so. Really worried about my ornate. Any help would be appreciated. His behavior is very active, his breathing is a little harder than usual, but it looks like his wound might be healing? Just want to make sure he doesn't get what the cichlid had.
 
For cichlids bloat is a big issue. Cichlid pros needed. Try some metronidazole/prazi and salt to the tank.

Gotta up ur water changes to >=50%.

Get a repeat of ur water parameters.
 
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For cichlids bloat is a big issue. Cichlid pros needed. Try some metronidazole/prazi and salt to the tank.

Gotta up ur water changes to >=50%.

Get a repeat of ur water parameters.

Cichlid died. Imo looked like had fin rot and was overfed previously. However, there was a red sore/bump by it's pectoral fins. Ornate appears to be healing, regained coloration.

Water parameters:
Ph: 7.0 , NH+4: 0.0, NO-2: 0.0 , NO-3: 0.0
Phosphates: extremely high due to using neutral regulator to get the pH to 7.0 (Although I know this does not directly cause fish death).

I bought acid buffer. and a phosphate and pH test kit. I have never used acid buffer before. Planning on using this for the high pH tap water instead of nuetral regulator. Is it poly safe? Also bought some prazi-pro as suggested. Do I do a 50% or greater water change prior to using? Can I leave the airstone on?

Thank you everyone for your help. Sorry for all the posts. Just never successfully healed a sick fish before.
 
PH out of my tap is about 7.4-7.6 never had any issues with polys, clown loaches, or any other fishes. Don't beleive it's necessary to buffer to neutral (7)

Hmm that's good to know. My pH runs about 7.3. Maybe i'll return the acid buffer. and ph/phosphate test kits. What do you think? Lol the one time the store gave me a discount. At least I got the prazi pro. yay!
 
For me. I'd return only the acid buffer. The other 2 can be used. If you've done a water change already the past couple days. Think u stated 30%. I'd go with a 25% on the second. If the pike and Ornate appear fine. Keep airstone on and just observe the next day or so for improvements. As for dosing the prazipro now after the water change. I would. Something was going on with the cichlid. Also, don't feed for the next few days as well.
 
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For me. I'd return only the acid buffer. The other 2 can be used. If you've done a water change already the past couple days. Think u stated 30%. I'd go with a 25% on the second. If the pike and Ornate appear fine. Keep airstone on and just observe the next day or so for improvements. As for dosing the prazipro now after the water change. I would. Something was going on with the cichlid. Also, don't feed for the next few days as well.

Thank you, I will return the acid buffer.;)

For the water, I did 30% on Thursday. So just to clarify, do a 25% water change tomorrow, and then add the prazipro? That's great to know about not feeding for the next few days. I did feed my ornate yesterday. When can I feed again?

+1 i dont mess with PH, i only use prime.

what is prime?

Sorry about the cichlid, thats the worst part of this hobby, but now it needs a replacement, maybe a new poly:)

Absolutely agree! :pYou inspired me to get an Endli lol. I've been requesting 3" polys at my LFS for the past month or so. Apparently their supplier hasn't had any bichirs.

First I gotta take care of the ornate and get him healthy+ get a quarantine tank. In the meantime, it doesn't hurt to ask/order through a couple of other places in town. yay! Christmas present?
 
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This is prime, its removes chlorine and cholramine,
Provide slime coat, and detoxifies nitrate and ammonia. Everyone in this hobby should have this, its a must have.

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