New to the forum! Issue with my senegal.

[tlindsey]

Oh I apologize for not being specific meant green peas.

 

[Polyaddict86]

So I little update, I treated the tank with epsom salt (not aquarium salt as I didn't realize how different they were, my apologies!) and, for a little while, he seemed to be doing better and was even starting to use his tail to swim!

Today however he to have took a turn for the worst and seems to be struggling even more!! He is starting to float up tail first and spends most of the day "parking" himself under plants so he can sit still. Otherwise he's gradually floating upwards. Could it be what he is eating? I try to give him a diversity of foods, but his main diet consists of Hikari brand sinking carnivore pellets. Should I switch to something else? Or is something else the matter?

He is still eating normally, and other than this issue he seems rather healthy. I'm just not sure what my next step should be with treatment. Thank you so much in advanced!

How often do you feed?

 

[Polyaddict86]

Back End float
If your bichir has a hard time keeping it butt down its most likely trapped gas yes it need to fart once this occurs it should be fine

Prevention
You can do a mild flush on the polys system by offering it some cut catfish fillet. There's a slight amount of oil in catfish flesh that I've found beneficial in keeping the plumbing clean in my bottom fish. I offer it to all my polys once a week as a preventative. Adding greens to their diet will also be a big help. I accomplish this by offering gut-loaded minnows, shrimp, and crayfish.

 

[ShanerBock888]

It seems like it could be gas in his stomach, but I have to say yours is progressing exactly like mine did when it first had the backbone issues. If you read the thread I posted earlier, there was a point where I asked about gases in his stomach because every time he tried to rest his stomach would roll up as if it was buoyant. I'm not saying that it's not gas, I'm just saying that one of the symptoms of my sen's backbone issues was very similar.

 

[LonelyPariah]

I really appreciate the help! I think it was gas as he seems to be doing far better now. His floating issue is gone AND he has use of his tail! I'm not sure if it was two seperate issues or just one, but he seems to be back to his old self!

Also to answer the feeding question, the tank gets fed once a day during the evening. Most of the other tank mates are nocturnal or prefer less light so I typically feed and turn the hood light out

 

[Vancouver_98683]

That's good news. Of course continue to monitor. It's a pretty sweet looking senegal. Just a suggestion but feed pellets containing vegetable matter. As a treat, Cut catfish Fillets (swai) contains. Both of those aid in digestion.

 

[magpie]

So happy to hear he's doing better!

 

[clm08k]

I really appreciate the help! I think it was gas as he seems to be doing far better now. His floating issue is gone AND he has use of his tail! I'm not sure if it was two seperate issues or just one, but he seems to be back to his old self!

Also to answer the feeding question, the tank gets fed once a day during the evening. Most of the other tank mates are nocturnal or prefer less light so I typically feed and turn the hood light out

Yay! That's awesome that the sen is feeling better. Truely a beautiful fish.

 

[clm08k]

Vancouver_98683 , swai also works? That's awesome! I haven't tried catfish yet.any pellets you would recommend that contain veggies?

 

[Vancouver_98683]

Vancouver_98683 , swai also works? That's awesome! I haven't tried catfish yet.any pellets you would recommend that contain veggies?

Hikari Cichlid Excel sinking. Polys may not take it at first, but eventually will.

'Swai' catfish from a box store works. It's cheap and common. They're always right next to the salmon and tilapia.