Tropheus Duboisi has stopped eating?
- Thread starter 1974Pantera
- Start date
If you have another tank I would quarantine the fish, make sure that the water stays SUPER clean i.e. keep the nitrates LOW. Try and keep your pH around 8.4 to 8.6 and add some epsom salts (1 tbsp per 5 gallons). Bump the heat up to 82-84 for a couple of days and see if that helps some. What else is in the tank with the duboisi?
It's not a good sign when tropheus stop eating without an apparent reason like aggression during feeding time. The fact that he's noticeably less active suggests that he needs to be treated.
Tropheus and empty stomach will lead to bloat. Tropheus have one of the worst digestive tracts in that they can suffer very easily from blockage and on an empty stomach and a weakened immune system, can succumb to bacterial/parasitic infestations ie. bloat very easily.
This typically happens in colonies and sometimes the entire colony falls ill without the owner even noticing. Part of the problem is that tropheus are notorious for mouthing feces from other fish and it spreads quite rapidly in that fashion.
If it's a case of mere blockage, which does occur in adults but not so often in youth, he'll more than likely pull through with some TLC. If it's bacterial/parasitic, then clout or metro are the only way to go.
If there's no change in disposition within 48 hours of quarantining, I'd strongly advise treating him.
Tropheus and empty stomach will lead to bloat. Tropheus have one of the worst digestive tracts in that they can suffer very easily from blockage and on an empty stomach and a weakened immune system, can succumb to bacterial/parasitic infestations ie. bloat very easily.
This typically happens in colonies and sometimes the entire colony falls ill without the owner even noticing. Part of the problem is that tropheus are notorious for mouthing feces from other fish and it spreads quite rapidly in that fashion.
If it's a case of mere blockage, which does occur in adults but not so often in youth, he'll more than likely pull through with some TLC. If it's bacterial/parasitic, then clout or metro are the only way to go.
If there's no change in disposition within 48 hours of quarantining, I'd strongly advise treating him.
JamesRiggs;2391004; said:
He's in a tank with 2 Brichardi's, the PH is 8.1, the water chemistry is perfect. I only put half your recommended dosage of Epsom salt so I will add some more.
Chaitika;2391048; said:
I sincerely appreciate all your knowledge! Yrs ago I kept them without a single problem, buying them as juveniles through the color transformation into adulthood. Back then, I only fed them Spirulina flake....think the NLS is probably too protein rich?
I will treat with clout after in another day or so.
Again, thank you for your post!
UPDATE:
The little guy is much more active today, tank temp is 81 degrees and I have raised the temp a tad bit more. Still not interested in eating.
Got my finger's crossed!
P.S. I just saw him foraging for food in the substrate.
P.S.S. If I want to do a water change, do I replace the percentage of Epsom salt for the water I take out?
The little guy is much more active today, tank temp is 81 degrees and I have raised the temp a tad bit more. Still not interested in eating.
Got my finger's crossed!
P.S. I just saw him foraging for food in the substrate.
P.S.S. If I want to do a water change, do I replace the percentage of Epsom salt for the water I take out?
Yes, I empty my tanks with a python, but fill them with 5 gallon buckets. This makes getting my water chemistry correct very easy. My normal routine is 1.5 tablespoons of baking soda 1 tablespoon of epsom salt and the proper amount of prime. With the current pH of the water coming out of the tap this sets my pH right at 8.6.
Update:
Well, he's very active today and was interested in food but still would not eat? He looks great and happy to see him darting around the tank.
What do you guys think, give it another day before adding the meds?
Well, he's very active today and was interested in food but still would not eat? He looks great and happy to see him darting around the tank.
What do you guys think, give it another day before adding the meds?
Try gettting a cup and disolving garlic powder in the water that is in the cup. Once the powder is dissolved soak some of your food in the water and the scoop it out and try feeding it to him. See if that gets him to react.
