My brother just purchased a small electric blue Jack Dempsey. He paid $100.00 for this little fella! Once he got the fish home, he noticed that the fish was swimming funny. (with body curved and jerky) The fish also has a noticable bulge on the left side of it's body. I was researching the possible causes for this and I was debating Malawi Bloat or Swim Bladder Disorder. With the bulge on one side of the body and the swimming issues, I had decided that I thought it was the swim bladder. My brother spoke to the man he bought the fish from and was told it was Malawi Bloat. He has been dosing the little fella for 5 or 6 days now with Tetracycline. I think he is letting a small mysa shrimp soak in the antibiotic and then feeding that to the fish per instructions of the person selling it to him. He only feeds once a day to give the meds. The fish is swimming better but the bulge on the left side of it's body is still there and doesn't appear to have gone down any. Does anyone have any suggestions on some possible causes for this and the treatments for it? I think my brother was considering treating for parasites also. I would sure hate to see him lose this fish.
Problem with a new EBJD
- Thread starter lighthouse39183
- Start date
Ok, a little more info on the subject. The water parameters are excellent in the tank. He tests with API liquid test kit. He gave the fish 6 treatments with the tetracycline. The fish is swimming better but still has a large bulge on the left side. He told me that he hasn't really noticed the fish using the bathroom that much and today it was only able to produce a small amount. I know it will produce less because he is feeding it less but do you think the fish is having intestinal issues causing a swim bladder problem?