Sick Dwarf Pike! :(

[jpjn]

What are some common diseases with Dwarf Pike Cichlids? What medications are safe and NOT safe to treat them with? And what about using salt? Is that ok?

She can't swim. She stopped eating, and is just laying half out of one of her caves on her side. I can't see any obvious symtoms of anything on her body, just that she can't seem to swim or even balance.

PLEASE ADVICE! I'm devastated! I love her.

 

[aquablue]

Sounds like some type of swim bladder problem. Is she with tankmates? Has any of the tankmates been harrasing her? She may have gotten rammed. I'm no expert on caring for Pikes but i would start by doing a water change and adding some epsom salts. Wait for some of the Pike experts fisrt though cause they may have better advice. Do a water change regardless.

 

[jpjn]

I haven't seen her tankmates bothering her any, but who knows what goes on when I'm not looking. It's upsetting that she hasn't eaten, but she can't move around to eat.

Her tankmates are:
Green Severum
Eartheater
Headstander
Black Ghost Knife Fish

That's it.

I hope some others quickly post. I don't want to add Epsom Salt then find out I should have added Aquarium salt instead. But thanks for your reply. I just did a water change. I keep my tanks super clean, and she does have good airation as well.