OT [FW]: This Jack Dempsey is not looking good

markkazdad · Nov 14, 2013

They aren't supposed to swim like this are they? The tank may have gotten too cold or I may have pushed water changes too much. The algae on the front glass really took off in the last week or so, if that's any clue. I'm afraid it might be too late for this guy.

[video=youtube_share;dzYVkAXxQmw]http://youtu.be/dzYVkAXxQmw[/video]

NanaReefer · Nov 14, 2013

No they are not supposed to swim like that, seems to be on his way out. Sorry

What are your parameters? Nitrites, nitrates and ammonia?

markkazdad · Nov 14, 2013

ammonia - 0 (or close to it)
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 40, or maybe a bit higher -- I have a hard time seeing the difference between 40 red and 80 red. But it's definitely red. (API Freshwater Master Test Kit).

I could isolate it in a 10 gallon with freshly treated (Prime) tap water (our RO/DI is too cold this time of year), but I don't have an extra heater, so the best I could do would be warmish tap water which would decrease to room temperature overnight. Or I suppose I could do a big water change on the 55g it's in. That may be less stressful and better for all the others as well.

Eienna · Nov 14, 2013

Do the water change, but I rather suspect a swim bladder infection. I'm no expert, but given its difficulty righting itself and seeming complete lack of other symptoms, that's my thought. I personally would hit it with furan-2 after a hefty water change. If you don't have any inverts, I believe you you can safely use it the main tank, though I would keep a bottle of FW Dr. Tim's One and Only handy in case the antibiotic knocks out your cycle.

I have to ask, though - is his poo normal, or is it white or clearish?

markkazdad · Nov 14, 2013

I don't watch him poo. Before today I hadn't noticed any problems during feeding time, but the last several days feeding time has been dump and dash, so I might have missed it. He did have a bit of fight in him when I moved him.

I found a heater and put him in a 10g. At least if he dies overnight, he won't foul the water in the 55g, and I can consider doing a water change tomorrow or this weekend when I have more time. I do have inverts (snails). If he makes it through the night, I'll check the 10 for poo.

Eienna · Nov 14, 2013

Still do the water change if you can. Ideally, you want nitrates at less than 20 for freshwater fish.

NanaReefer · Nov 15, 2013

Are you using a canister filter? And yes do the water change to get those nitrates down a little.

markkazdad · Nov 15, 2013

No, it's not a canister filter. I'm running an Emperor 400 on that tank.

walkerbrody · Nov 15, 2013

Send mlewandowski61 a message. He has been breeding cichlids for years. I'm sure he can help.

markkazdad · Dec 23, 2013

He passed last week. After a few treatments with some medicine we had on hand that mentioned swim bladder infections, he stopped swimming so erratically and seemed less distressed, but then it seemed like he was permanently bent in one direction and not able to muster the energy to make it to the top for some food. I hand fed him the inside of a frozen pea, but alas his survival was not to be.

It probably did not help that his tank temps fluctuated quite a bit due to a flaky heater.

Any tips on sterilizing the hospital tank and equipment? My thoughts were to add a bit of bleach to the water, let it circulate over night then air dry everything.