What is wrong here?

[kaleideon]

Hello MFK,

Please help me diagnose my 7yr old Jack Dempsey, about 5 inches.
She has been extremely lethargic (& bottom sitting) for the past few months, and about a few weeks ago stopped even going for food.

I fed bloodworms & garlic soaked in metronidazole and praziquantel for 10 days as this has perked her up in the past, but no use this time, though she did eat the bloodworms after a while.

Sometimes she goes absolutely crazy and swims up and down the side of the tank as if trying to get at something outside, it's quite violent and may last around 20 seconds or so. I think she is itchy as I've seen her flashing before though not often.

There is a small graze on her nose as if she's rubbed up against something, but this has been there for few months. Two small symmetrical pin holes under her mouth which I don't know if it is normal or not.

Please help and what could this be? Can I do preventative medication and if so what are the best meds to use? Could I also do a bath to get rid of the mystery itchy things which are on her? There's no visible sign of anything on her body. I have her in a smaller hospital tank atm.

Tank parameters:
0 ammonia, nitrite, nitrate
60L/15gal tank, salted with aquarium salt, 1tsp per 5 gal.
scarcely planted
temp: 24C/74 F
Water changes 30% every 3 days


Thank you!!

 

[DIDYSIS]

A Jack that old should be a min 10-11inches might be a stunted growth or a midget. I have 4 Jacks currently 8-11 inches and know how great of a fish they are and love them allot. My best advice is do a good cleaning of the tank, might be the bio load is far to much for what ever filtering and everything you have with that tank, also you need to get the fish on a good food staple, I have had really good luck with NLS Therma A healing and treating fish for possible parisites and bringing the life back into them more than once my jacks love the stuff allot and as I said help with parasites and overall health of the fish. Look at the head do you see pitting anywhere, around the gills, etc, might want to try treating the water with some melafix for a bit and see if that helps. I bet if you look you will find the pitting on your fish if he is rubbing. You can always go a little more aggressive if you think you need to and treat with primafix. from reading everything you wrote I would start with the Melafix and go from that point on.