Dropsy? Bloat? Help!

[AmatuerAuer]

My Kole tang developed a bloated look after I conducted a water change in my QT tank. Changed about 20g in a 50g tank. Cleaned the filter (just rinsing the sponge).

Sg is 1.011 (safely dropped hypo week or so ago). Any ideas? All other fish are fine. I've fussed with this at since Sept and my hippo still looks like he has ich...

 

[Bunnee911]

/puts fingers in mouth and whistles for the #reefsquad

 

[redfishbluefish]

/puts fingers in mouth and realizes that I can't whistle and therefore yells @melypr1985 , @Humblefish , and @4FordFamily

 

[4FordFamily]

First of all that's not low enough specific gravity to ward off ich effectively in many cases. 1.009 is typically the goal.

Also, that will not treat velvet at all which is running rampant right now and IMO every bit as common as ich. It's often confused with ich as well.

Secondly, I don't know much about bloat but it probably wouldn't hurt to see if the fish will eat a frozen pee (thawed), take it out of the "shell" as it helps with constipation.

I'll let others chime in as well.

 

[melypr1985]

So he just blew up like that after a water change? Had you fed the tank before this happened? I agree with the pea.. Try feeding him a pealed, boiled pea. Have you seen him poop recently and what did it look like?

 

[AmatuerAuer]

Pretty much Melypr. I did the maintenance, then the next day just happened to notice the inflammation. Today he has been moving but lathargic. Sadly not looking good.

And make matters worse the hippo's cover again.

I've tried cupramine, copper, praxis, hypo... my user error rates must be off the chart...

 

[AmatuerAuer]

I'll try the pea tomorrow. Haven't had enough time to sit and wait and watch for a poop.

 

[Humblefish]

Have you been feeding him red nori by any chance? (I'm going somewhere with this.)

 

[AmatuerAuer]

He gets a round robin of red flaked, mysis, and green flake

 

[AmatuerAuer]

Day 2 of the bloat continues.. haven't seen him eat or poop. more lethargic than usual but not drastic.

 

[4FordFamily]

@Humblefish

Finish where you were going! . I'm at a loss here

 

[melypr1985]

I think humble is thinking constipation. Nori would be something good to feed him from now on. Let's see. There's a med that has diarrhea as a side effect. I'll think of it in a sec.....

 

[melypr1985]

If he's still eating you can try feeding a boiled, pealed pea to move things along.

 

[4FordFamily]

I think humble is thinking constipation. Nori would be something good to feed him from now on. Let's see. There's a med that has diarrhea as a side effect. I'll think of it in a sec.....

I was thinking so too.

 

[Humblefish]

@Humblefish

Finish where you were going! . I'm at a loss here

I once had a PBT whose stomach would bloat anytime she ate red nori. Never did figure out if it was an allergic reaction or she just couldn't pass it. She was fine with green.

 

[4FordFamily]

I once had a PBT whose stomach would bloat anytime she ate red nori. Never did figure out if it was an allergic reaction or she just couldn't pass it. She was fine with green.

I think I remember you saying that. My tangs don't have that issue, but they are all fat with nori!

 

[AmatuerAuer]

Sad to report he did not make it. The timing is too much of a coincidence. Something in that maintenance day caused this. Or it was an incredible circumstance. Very sad I hate losing any pet.

I have another thread working on a solution to my Hippo tang and general QT issue. Thanks all, I will keep the rest there!

 

[Humblefish]

Sorry for your loss

 

[4FordFamily]

Yes, very sorry

 

[AmatuerAuer]

Thanks, stinks because he was fine. I took him because the @#$%ing Hippo was sick. That fish has been nothing but a headache.

I will bring the salinity back up to 1.024 and give copper dosing another go. Any other ideas?