HELP!! Purple Fire Fish w/Bloated Belly

[turtlesaltlife]

I have had my purple fire fish for months now and she has been fine until last few days. I haven't seen her for about 3 days now and she just appeared out from under one of the rocks. She is just kinda laying around on the sand, breathing heavy and she has a bloated belly. Color is good and can't see anything else like ick or something. Any advice? Got her out of my 120 gal and put her in my 29 gal.

 

[Humblefish]

Bloated belly can mean several things:

- Dropsy (bacterial disease usually requiring antibiotic medication)
- Constipation (sometimes feeding a peeled boiled pea helps to push things out. Dosing Epsom salt @1 tablespoon per 5 gals can serve as a laxative.)
- Swim bladder disorder (nothing you can do. It will either work itself out or the fish will die.)

 

[Humblefish]

If you can QT, I would treat with Kanaplex (diarrhea is a possible side effect.) This will cover possibilities #1 & #2. I would also dose Epsom salt in conjunction.

I can't see you getting a firefish to eat a pea.

P.S. Epsom salt is just mag sulfate and that is "reef safe" if you can't QT. But I wouldn't dose Kanaplex in a reef.

 

[turtlesaltlife]

She is QT'd...only one in my 29 gal..we took the damsel out that was in it cause he was picking on her. She is still alive as of this post. I'll have to see if my LPS carries that stuff if not I'll have to order it from somewhere.

 

[turtlesaltlife]

:sad: She didn't make it

 

[Humblefish]

Sorry for your loss. :sad: Swim bladder disorder is mostly untreatable and dropsy can be very difficult to eradicate. So, it wasn't your fault.

 

[turtlesaltlife]

Thank u. I read up on it and I'm pretty sure it was swim bladder. It sucks, She was my favorite fish in my tank so I will have another ....hoping to maybe find a bonded pair somewhere.

 

[Humblefish]

Thank u. I read up on it and I'm pretty sure it was swim bladder. It sucks, She was my favorite fish in my tank so I will have another ....hoping to maybe find a bonded pair somewhere.

IMO; LADD is probably your best bet for that. If you don't mind spending some coin, look into a pair of Helfrichis.