Sick disus this morning!

[Bill T.]

One of my discus became unwell overnight. This morning it seems to have lost it's balance, swims erraticaly, on it's side or even upside down at watersurface, belly seems bloated. The other three discus look fine, although the two larger ones have been pretty shy and picky with food since prazi treatment - it's day 7 post prazi.

The sick fish is one of two rather stunted fish that I've had for about three months. I had a third one but it died in similar circumstances.

I checked my water chemistry last night & everything is O.K. there. All fish looked fine last night. I'm about to do a water change today.

Any suggestions?

[leanne31]

Hi Bill gee your having some bad luck at the moment I had a fish that was losing his balance swimming frantically down to the bottom of the tank and swimming fast without actually going anywhere I did a wc and gave a big dose of epsom salts and it was fine 12 hours later. I dont dnow if yours has the same problem as mine did but if you think its bloat or gas do a wc and add some epsom salt, turn the lights off and see how he his tomorrow.

leanne

[Bill T.]

Thanks Leanne.

Serves me right for taking in these refugee orphans.

I'm going to set up a hospital tank & put the little critter in there. Then give him the epsom salt treatment - see how he goes.
How much salt should I put in?

[leanne31]

Normally its 1 tablespoon per 40 ltrs but when mine got sick I added 1 1/2 tbs per 40 as mine looked pretty bad. Good luck

Leanne

[ctvu]

Hi Bill

I would go with Leanne's suggestion. It should be fine in couple of hours.

ctvu

[Merrilyn]

Good luck Bill. Unfortunately some of these stunted fish have genetic or internal problems. It's worth a try, but I have run on some runts from my own spawns, just to prove a theory, and they never seem to thrive, just exist. Their tankmates grow big and strong, and despite the same food, water conditions, worming treatment etc. they never grow into nice fish, and always look weedy.

I guess in nature they would never survive, and we are artificially keeping them going with our special care.

[Bill T.]

Hi Merrilyn.
Thanks for your feedback.
I think nature is having its way with this little runt. Trouble is, I kinda like him!
Anyway, it was the last of a batch to be chosen, so I think there is some natural selection in progress.

[Bill T.]

Spontaneous recovery!
By the time I got my hospital tank set up, the little critter was swimming around more or less properly again. By tonight, you wouldn't know anything was wrong, so I'm going to let it be.
At least now I have a quarantine/hospital tank if I need it.

Thanks for the feedback folks.

[ctvu]

Hi Bill

I am very happy for you too. Well done!!!

Ctvu

[Merrilyn]

Bill that's great. Seems like the little guy had a touch of gas.