Questions about floating Moke

[Firewitch]

Hi there!

Since two or three weeks my male mokelembembe (~8,5") has a floating tail. I can´t see a swollen stomache, bubbles or anything else. He also moves it so I don´t think, he has a broken back.

Is it possible, that there is gas in him for such a long time? I can´t get him out of the tank without destroying the whole setup 'cause there are a lot of possibilities to hide... In case it is bloating - can I treat him with garlic, epsom salt (or anything else that helps) without harm the other inmates (Ctenopoma acutirostre, ropefish, other polys, synodonti) ?

I feeded pellets for my ctenopomas, maybe he also got some. But normally the polys get frozen food like peeled shrimps and anchovies. Both cutted into smaller pieces.

First I thought, the problem is my weekly waterchange (50%) so I didn´t change water for two weeks. The probem continued. Now I raised the temperature from 22° C to 26°C to stimulate the sugestion.

Do you have any further suggestions?

Greetings from Germany
Eva-Maria

 

[Dr.B]

So does it seem like he can't stay down? Because its not uncommon for mokes to stay towards the top if there is covering.

 

[Firewitch]

Jep - he can´t stay down without lying under a root that keeps his tail down. It always seems to be a fight for him to get back into his place after he went to the surface for air.

 

[Dr.B]

That's sounds like an air bubble. I would treat with salt. I'm pretty sure the other fish you listed should be ok with salt, but not 100% sure so I would check.

 

[Firewitch]

Thank you! Today I've bought the epsom salt - and realised, that this is the salt I hardened up my osmosis water before I used other additionals. So I think, it will work with all the fishes in my tank.

I've read about 1 teaspoon/10 gal and the treatment no longer than a week - think, this is still correct?

 

[Firewitch]

I'm not very sure, but I think, he´s done it! On monday I´ve had to change 50% of the water because my pH was sinking from 6.0 to 4.8 in one night. Yesterday I did the normal weekly change and it didn´t seem to be better. He still had problems in staying down.
But today, he swims almost normally. Very carefully, seems as if he want´s to avoid any wrong movement that could drive him up again.
Hope, it stays like this! Thank you for helping me and my little friend!

Btw: after I gave the epsom salt in the tank my ropefish and senegals spawned... Can there be a correlation?

 

[Dr.B]

That's awesome! I'm glad he got better