Sick Jack Dempsey (please help!)

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I'd honestly skip the melafix for the time being. It's not that it doesn't work, for I think it can, but it more of a therapeutic and can and will depleat 02.

I'd also aerate vigorously after adding those meds. I also am a firm believer that most infections are best treated from the inside out. Cichlialhoics anonymous advice on the medicated food is sound, and how I've best been able to treat my fish. IMO dumping meds into the water without having a good diagnosis can make things worse instead of better. Watch closely and be prepared to do another water change( and add the carbon back) if things get weird. Good luck
 
Okay, a friend told me to add the parasites med into the water AND also treat with soaked food, so tomorrow morning I'll soak some bloodworms and pellets in the medicine and feed it to them.

I won't add any more melafix like you said.

the filtration / aeration of the tank is really really strong so it should be fine.
 
If he ate some non-quarantined fish he probably got the infection from that. Problem is you don't know if it's bacterial or parasitic. Since your already treating for parasites continue and see if there's improvement. If there is, then continue as directed. If not, I would suggest switching over to an bacterial med. I've always had luck with jungle labs antibacterial food, if he's still eating. If he won't eat, a combo of Maracyn and Maracyn 2 can help kill off both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains.

Even though most of these meds say they don't affect your biofilter, I believe they all do to some extent. If none of your other fish are showing any signs of stress coloration or odd behavior, you might be better off to qt the subject before trying the antibacterial meds, for your biofilter and other fishes sake. These are just my opinions of course but these options have worked for me.
Keep us posted and good luck!
 
Today all of the JDs are hidden, all of them displaying a really dark almost black color. usually when I come close to the tank they all start swimming close to the glass for food... not today. I guess they're just stressed from the water change/medication. All the water looks cloudy and yellow-ish since I had to remove the activated carbon from filter.

I got the big male to eat a few (3 or 4) soaked pellets. (i soaked them overnight on water with tetra Parasite Guard)

Right now I'm soaking bloodworms because most of the pellets disolved when they hit the water.. and it seems to be a waste.
 
I just tried to feed soaked bloodworms and none of them are eating... at all. Usually they eat bloodworms like crazy until there's none left.

Does anyone know if this treatment will work without them eating soaked food? The directions on the package say it will work by just adding it to the water.
 
UPDATE: just found him dead in under the aquarium stand... he probably jumped out overnight.

I'm gettin rid of the jack dempseys and switching to tiger oscars.
 
Aww, bummer. Sorry for your loss.
 
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