Synodontis slightly bloated and staying at the surface

[Sturgion]

Saw this morning that my synodontis valentiana was on the surface with a slightly bloated stomach. He seems to make attempts to return to the bottom but only gets about half way down the tank. I recently did a water change and cleaned the gravel the day before yesterday, all the parameters are consistent. How can I help? (All other fish in the tank are fine)

 

[kno4te]

Add some pure epsom salt 3 tbsp per g and a round of triple sulfa. Hopefully this will help.

 

[Sturgion]

Add some pure epsom salt 3 tbsp per g and a round of triple sulfa. Hopefully this will help.

So do you think it was caused by over eating?

 

[Fishman Dave]

Does seem like bloat or an eating issue.

Personally wouldn’t add Epsom salt to a running tank if other fish seem fine, it won’t harm but don’t need to give the whole tank a laxative. Do you have a tank/ container/ hospital tank with airation or filtration or something that could be set up?

 

[Sturgion]

Does seem like bloat or an eating issue.

Personally wouldn’t add Epsom salt to a running tank if other fish seem fine, it won’t harm but don’t need to give the whole tank a laxative. Do you have a tank/ container/ hospital tank with airation or filtration or something that could be set up?

I don’t have a hospital tank but in the last hour he’s returned to bottom of the tank. He’s still bloated though, is there any other method of laxatives? Peas maybe?

 

[Fishman Dave]

Without a separate tank the Epsom salts in the tank are best anti bloat option.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

It's probably or equally not the amount of feed but the nature / quality of feed.

Alternatively, there are pathogenic causes of GI ailments.

Moreover, this is a hybrid and a good portion of them suffer from latent problems, which we the laymen probably would never guess.

This short list is in the order of probabilities, IMHumO. (If the water quality is pristine and consistent and has been such for months and years; or if there no other coincidental factor, like an introduction of new tank mate (can equal an introduction of a pathogen), a new plant, a new something).

 

[Sturgion]

Ok I haven’t put any salts in, just left be. He seems to be back to his syno things, bloating seems to be down and he’s returned to the bottom of the tank.

 

[kno4te]

Maybe just overeating. Glad to see it better.

 

[Sturgion]

Maybe just overeating. Glad to see it better.

Thank you