help!!! signs of bloat?

[rtague]

hi guys ,a couple of days ago my flavescent,ngara and azureus stopped eating.I removed them to a hospital tank where they have been for a couple of days,still not eating.To day I noticed my P.mara rocks acting funny,kinda jerking and swimming eractically.There's no visable signs of bloating,but some thing is'nt right.please help.

[AlishanAS]

Some signs of bloat - not eating, stringy white fesces, distended belly, labored breathing.
Some people have found that Clout is useful in treating bloat. I have used Metronidazole in combination with Furan to cure bloat in Tropheus.

Here is a link:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/malawi_bloat.php

[mack74]

I treat the whole tank with metro for 5 days with no water changes. I have found that works great. I will also soak the food in metro before feeding. If it gets to the point where it really bad i use clout, treat tank full dose, next day same thing, third day 50% water change and retreat. That has also worked for me. I would treat the main tank as well just in case.

[rtague]

Thanks alishanAS,I'm going to try metro.Will treating the whole tank adversely affect what look to be healthy fish?

[rtague]

Thanks mack74 ,we must have been posting at the same time,you just answered my question,thanks again

[AlishanAS]

Unless you overmedicate it should not harm them. Since it an anti - parasite it should not affect your bacterial bed.
Remove with fresh carbon and water changes.

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumMedication2.html

[rtague]

Thanks guys

[rtague]

Does metro harm the biological media in the filters?

[mack74]

I use it all the time and it has no affect on the filters as far as I know.

[rtague]

Thanks Mike,I'm trying your method of metro for 5 days without w/c,see what happens.

[Afreakin]

I have had the best success using CLOUT. I hate to add this to the thread now but if the Metro doesn't work in, say, 4 days try CLOUT. I am actually going to try the Metro tomorrow because one of my new fish at work has some stringy poop and isn't eating. If she isn't better by Monday, CLOUT it is.

Good Luck Ray.

[mack74]

If they are not eating by the end of the 5 days then you might want to clout them. I do it as a last resort. I just saved a female that had it for a month. well she is eating now so I thinks she in the clear. I find the metro works really well if u catch it in the fiest coulple of days. I find that once they get it you have about 3 weeks to cure it before it kills them. Good luck hope they make it.

[rtague]

Hi guys,the main tank is eating:partay:,but the 3 fish I have in the hospital tank,a 10 gallon(I know it's small for 3 fish ,but it's all I have)don't look great but better than they did a couple of days ago.I'm thinking the small size tank is not helping the situation.Do you think I should put these guys back in the main tank and continue treating for another couple of days?.

[Afreakin]

Do a water change and continue to medicate. How is the filtration? How big are the fish? How much better do they look?

[rtague]

Rob.I have a 3-4 in azureus,2-3 ngara peacock and 2-3 in flavescent peacock.Filtration is an aquaclear hob rated 150 gph.How much better are they?.Well, this morning the two peacocks took a few nibbles which they had'nt been doing,and there's a little chasing going on,as opposed to just sitting on the bottom ,which is all they had been doing.So there is some improvement.

[AMBUSHPREDATOR]

Don't feed them till a couple of day's after the treatment is over. Even if they look hungry.

[fischfan13]

Great advice from everyone.
I would add one more thing...

Ray, if you are using HOB's on the tank then drop the water level a bit. This might help add more O2 into the water...especially if you have raised the temp.

[rtague]

Thanks ff13.

[Ironman]

I had my share with bloat twice to be exact. I find Metro to be great. However, just like mack, if problem persist I then use clout in conjunction with metro [B]Bang. Don't wait any longer you don't want it to get worst. You should treat the main tank. Good luck

[TrashmanNYC]

you could try some epsom salt also.......1 tsp. per 5 gallons is what i used along with meds for my last hospital setup........

[rtague]

Thanks guys,it's been a while since I've been back to this post.Used metro for 5 days,seems to have taken care of the problem:)