Sick Australoheros

[MonteSS]

My 1 year old male Australoheros Oblongum has been acting weird lately. Swimming more than usual especially high in the warer column. Fin clamped tight. He is boss of tank and always used to spread his fins out. Female (his very bonded mate) is following him around alot. Tank is, and always was unheated, and at 72*. His belly appears to be sunken. I dont think he has been eating well lately.

Today he was on his side at the surface and I thought he was dead. I poked him and he swam down into a cave. He is out and swimming now though.

Water properties are all good. I did a large water change today anyway.

Other fish seem fine although his mate seems bummed that he is sick.

Any thoughts on what I can do? Should I raise temp a little? (this is a cool water fish)

Thanks...Bill

Doesn't he look bunned?

 

[CrAzYNeSs]

What do you normally feed him and is he still eating?

 

[MonteSS]

Flake in morning. Hilari cichlid gold floaters in evening. I do not feed them alot in the cool water. I did notice today after the water change, a left over pellet with fuzz around it.

I have not fed any of the fish in the tank today.

He is swimming high in the water colomn again. She is nudging and rubbing him as if she wants to spawn. Or maybe just comforting him.

Their drab colors in the above pics from today are rather typical for the non breeding cool down they are in. His fin are darker than normal which concerns me.

Do you think a heater or salt may help? I have meds too if needed.

Maybe a blockage?

...Bill

 

[MonteSS]

His breathing seems normal an he is alert. He usually is not very active but he is swimming around alot. Fins clamped tight.

...Bill