Sick EBJD with Swim Bladder Issues

[Kivstev]

My 3 y/o 6" EBJD couldn't seem to swim off the bottom so I moved him to a QT tank from his 75G. No other fish were affected. He also seemed to have quit eating.

I first treated him with Metro for about 7 days with magnesium sulfate. 50% Water Changes every 2 days. No change.

I then figured it may be a bacterial issue so then treated with Kanamycin and Nitrofurazone combo for a week. Still he sits on bottom in a 'C'. He will move around a bit if I disturb him, but just shimmys across the bottom. His water is now as pure as I can get it. I feed him a bit of mysis shrimp every 2 days but still don't think he is eating. He looks miserable.

I am considering force feeding him some crushed peas through a syringe, but am wondering if anyone has any other ideas I can try or if I may have missed something? I realize that sometimes these issues are untreatable. Thanks.

Update: Just noticed some white spots on his caudal and dorsal fins - one white spot has a small circular hole in it.

 

[anarekist]

sorry to hear, might not be anything you can do, ebjd are notorious for being sickly, comes with the recessive genetics.

 

[Kivstev]

sorry to hear, might not be anything you can do, ebjd are notorious for being sickly, comes with the recessive genetics.

Yeah I know. I had hopes though since the fish did make it though some tough times when it was smaller, ie parasites and eating problems.

The fish was fed 'exclusively' blood worms when it was small (by the LFS) and never really wanted to eat anything else except frozen food. This may have something to do with the condition the fish is in now, but who knows?

No one with any ideas? I did see someone on YT glue some styrofoam to a cichlid's dorsal fin to help keep it off the bottom haha. Apparently it worked? Don't think I would ever attempt that.

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

It sounds like he's having several health issues. I'm sorry but I believe your ebjd is at the end. His health issues may be related to water quality but with ebjd who knows. If it can no longer swim I would suggest putting him down.

 

[Kivstev]

It sounds like he's having several health issues. I'm sorry but I believe your ebjd is at the end. His health issues may be related to water quality but with ebjd who knows. If it can no longer swim I would suggest putting him down.

I think he is near the end, too. I was hoping someone could suggest something I had not thought of before I euthanize. He was in a community tank with Rainbows, a Krib, cherry barbs, and some Bolivian Rams. 40% WC done every 7-10 days. No other health issues in tank for quite some time so I don't think water quality was the issue. Possibly diet related, but like I said above who knows. He was a very peaceful fish.

Anyone know what the deal is with the fins? Flavobacter maybe? He's been thru over a week of antibiotic treatment so I don't think there is any sense in re-treating atm.

 

[Aquatic Aggression]

He doesn't seem to have any head or lateral line erosion so Ive no idea but its got to be some kind of fungal rot or something. Probably came about due to its overall failing health. Watch your other fish closely just in case but some ebjd become sick out of nowhere. It's a bummer and I've been there myself.
I would cool it on the meds for a bit maybe raise the temp gradually to 82-84 add aquarium salt and hope for the best. Personally I put ebjd down at the first sight of health issues. Sorry

 

[Kivstev]

He doesn't seem to have any head or lateral line erosion so Ive no idea but its got to be some kind of fungal rot or something. Probably came about due to its overall failing health. Watch your other fish closely just in case but some ebjd become sick out of nowhere. It's a bummer and I've been there myself.
I would cool it on the meds for a bit maybe raise the temp gradually to 82-84 add aquarium salt and hope for the best. Personally I put ebjd down at the first sight of health issues. Sorry

OK thanks. I'm going with the clean water and salt. I'm going to try feeding him with peas, vits, and a few mag sulfate crystals through a syringe for a few days. If no improvement - I'll likely go with clove oil and vodka. Sigh.

 

[Kivstev]

Just to update: Have tried Clout for 4 days, feeding peas and mag sulfate by syringe. I have him a break between med treatments. He is still on the bottom, but he no longer has white crap on tail. He is very strong when I feed him as I have to pick him up 1/2 out of the water. I know I'm probably delaying the inevitable, but might as well experiment a bit? He is on day 2 of Maracyn 1 and 2 combo now. Waste of time? Maybe.

 

[squint]

What's his respiration like? The spots on the fins could be ich or flukes (though Clout might take care of flukes but not ich?). I suspect it's possible ich may not present as white specks all over the body and instead remain hidden in the gills with occasional fin spots. That's why I'm curious how his respiration looks.

Curled up on the bottom doesn't necessarily mean the end is near. I've had fish like that for a week and then recover.

Fungal infections are pretty rare and likely wouldn't present as spots or cysts on the fins.

 

[Kivstev]

His respiration is a bit deeper than normal, but not 'stressed'. The white crap on his fins were some sort of bacterial infection I think. 99% certain it's not Ich. Clout does take care of Ich, too. Seems to be healing up in any case.

I think he was in a 'curled' position to keep himself upright. I notice he right himself against something staying pretty straight the last few days.

What's his respiration like? The spots on the fins could be ich or flukes (though Clout might take care of flukes but not ich?). I suspect it's possible ich may not present as white specks all over the body and instead remain hidden in the gills with occasional fin spots. That's why I'm curious how his respiration looks.

Curled up on the bottom doesn't necessarily mean the end is near. I've had fish like that for a week and then recover.

Fungal infections are pretty rare and likely wouldn't present as spots or cysts on the fins.