Cyps with sunk-in bellies

[tommyd]

Hey, Out of nowhere, and in different tanks some cyps will start to get sucked-in bellies, (water is always good,I do regular water changes, my levels are always good). Only females get it, but even in the same tank some will be affected while others are OK.I have medicated many different ways, sometimes with success sometimes not. Is there someone out there that has had a similar problem? Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks Tommy D.

[Pete]

What meds have you tried?

[zebra7]

Hello Tommy, sorry I didn't get back to you. Sound's to me your Cyp's are suffering from stress. It seem's very common with Cyprichromis species. Other than female's do you also notice young fry are affected ? In a crowded tank, or one with mulitple male's, young fish, or a limited number of female's will suffer from stress. These fish are simply weakened by high aggression level's in their tank. They don't have to be beat on to suffer from stress, high level's of activity alone can do them in. It may take a few month's, but once they stop eating it's only a matter of time. At this time their is no coming back for them. If you catch it right away, and move the skinny fish to tank's with little, or no fish they can come back for you. That with a bit of Metrodonazole may do the trick. The sympton's must be caught early if the fish is to be saved. Good luck, Anthony

[DiscusnAfricans]

Are these breeders? Could it be after spawning and releasing a bunch of eggs?

[tommyd]

Thanks Anthony just wanted to know if I was missing something. Couple of notes, fry was not affected, amount of fish did not matter. I have a 46 gallon bow front with a bunch of breeders(blue orchids) with all sizes of fry and juvies, with aggresive males and never lost anything from the tank.My big loss was in a 75 gallon with only 1 group of bulu points 2 males (not very aggresive) and lost 5 out of 6 females over a 2 month period. So I guess it's just one of those things that happen. But your diagnosis is still probably correct. Metro did seem to work,but its hard to say which fish were cured or if I still lost them at a later date.For example I had saved some female Kitumbas from this 2 months ago, but now its back and I know this time the the fish I lost was not the same ones, but whatever. What do you think/know of the product ParaGuard. Thanks Talk to ya later. Tommy D.

[tommyd]

I use mainly MelaFix & Metro aiso I have tryed ParaGuard, still not sure which one works the best.

[tommyd]

Are these breeders? Could it be after spawning and releasing a bunch of eggs?

No, It's not breeding females Thanks. Tommy D.

[triscuit]

I have had this problem with cyps, paracyps and xenos, with wild caughts and my own TR. A good week's worth of metro, salt and fasting has cured it every time.

My theory is that cyp wasting is caused by gastrointestinal disease (not a specific pathogen, but rather by bugs that are normally present and don't bother other fish). Cyps are more susceptible, partly due to stress, and that if left untreated they will die. Metronidazol kills intestinal bugs, Epsom salt acts as a laxative to get the gut cleaned out completely, which is only possible by not feeding the fish for at least 5 days. I have had zero luck with metro-laced food.