Strange Tilapia Buttikoferi behavior

[CichlidFiend]

My 8" tilapia buttikoferi has been acting strange lately. He'll swim really fast from one end of the tank to the other to scratch himself on the gravel, and his coloration is very dark. Also, he will sometimes twitch, I just observed it on his top fin, but most of the time it will be twitching his head from side to side.

He's in a bare 55 gal with only gravel and a few small stones by himself, 80 degrees, 2 fluval 4's, and a emperor 400, and all water params are normal. He has had no tankmates since he was 1.5". He gets a 50% water change once a week after which I add water conditioner and aquarium salt.

I've treated him for parasites with this:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4615+16807&pcatid=16807

What do you think it could be?

This is my first sick fish and he is also my most well-cared for I really don't want to lose him.

 

[Lupin]

Discontinue using salt. That's not necessary. I am suspecting flukes here. What are your water parameters? How long have you done the treatment?

 

[swede]

are you saying that salt being added if there are flukes would be harmful?

 

[CichlidFiend]

Discontinue using salt. That's not necessary. I am suspecting flukes here. What are your water parameters? How long have you done the treatment?

0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and 30 ppm nitrate, PH was 6.8, I just did a water change today and those figures are from yesterday. I did a full dose last week, I followed the directions on the box, it said 5 packets then wait 48 hours, add another 5 packets, then a water change 48 hours later and add activated carbon.

 

[Lupin]

are you saying that salt being added if there are flukes would be harmful?

Salt does not do much to flukes. The behavior exhibited isn't typically ich infestation to me. With mild infestation, fish would still scratch occasionally but not swim around frantically. I wonder if the fish is scratching the same body area.

 

[CichlidFiend]

Salt does not do much to flukes. The behavior exhibited isn't typically ich infestation to me. With mild infestation, fish would still scratch occasionally but not swim around frantically. I wonder if the fish is scratching the same body area.

I've spent hours with my nose an inch form the tank trying to see any sign of flukes, the next step would be a magnification inspection. He swims from the right side of his tank very fast to the left side to rub the right side of his body against the gravel.

I was guessing parasites because of the research I've done, but his appetite and growth rate are still excellent.

I'm going to try a different treatment for flukes, any suggestions?

 

[Lupin]

Praziquantel by Prazipro or Droncit should work. It's a very mild treatment and should not disrupt your nitrogen cycle but still potent to flukes and most flagellates.

 

[CichlidFiend]

Praziquantel by Prazipro or Droncit should work. It's a very mild treatment and should not disrupt your nitrogen cycle but still potent to flukes and most flagellates.

Alright sorry for my ignorance but would this be for sale at a petsmart or should I pick it up at the pharmacy?

 

[Lupin]

The prazipro is available in petstores or shop for one online. Droncit is obtained in veterinary clinics. Try the petstores and online stores first for Prazipro.

 

[CichlidFiend]

Thanks to everyone who helped, my butti is looking much better, lupin you were right on the money