Need help-Older Jag swimming tilted downward.

[eyespot]

I have a jaguar cichlid who's closing in on 10 years old and yesterday I noticed he's been swimming with his face pointed towards the gravel. I don't think it's a swim bladder issue because he's not swimming with a tilt and his abdomen doesn't appear to be swollen. His appetite is off but he still eats his freeze-dried krill (which he can't resist) and otherwise appears healthy. The other fish in the aquarium don't seem affected but I don't have air conditioning so the temperature in the tank during hot summer months gets around 83 or 84 and I rely on frequent water changes to keep it in check. I add Stress Coat and a teaspoon of salt per 10 gallons every water change. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[CarpCharacin]

I know you say that you don't think it is swim bladder, but it could very well be swim bladder. Do you have pictures?

 

[Ihsnshaik]

83-84 is fine for jaguar. Often I keep my tank that temp to kill ick for weeks.

Can you snap us some pics? Is he pale? Whats his appetite in the last week? Hows his poop? White at all? Does he eat live food?

So many factors can play a role in a fish being sick. any new fish added?


Your fish is 10 years old meaning its immune system is weak. Its like older people you must take care of them quickly and fast before something else happens like a secondary infection.

It might just be the end of the fishes life if nothing is out of the ordinary. 10 years is a long time not sure whats the age they live in tanks are but I got rid of my Midas who was 8 years old and he was as strong as I had him like 7 years ago if anything stronger.

 

[eyespot]

Thanks for the replies and I apologize for the blurry pic. It's a combination of meds and a big water change. The two possibilities I'm considering are that he contracted internal parasites from some new dithers I bought a few weeks ago or that he might be constipated. I dosed the tank with Prazipro and I'm going to add epsom salts and see if that helps matters. I hadn't noticed his feces but after I added the Prazipro I noticed he was forcing out some mucousy discharge. He is older but up until yesterday he was acting fine so if I can knock this problem out he should have a few good years left. Fingers crossed.