GT developing Epilepsy???

[ysn27]

Green Terror acting strangely ... Anyone got this kind of problems before ... please help and share some info/advice how to make him feel better

scenario:
*** 120 gal cichlid community tank - inhabitants are

- 2 green terrors (KIX - 6" male & MOBS - 5" female) : note on KIX >>> he's the one getting sick or something
- 2 convict (3" male & 2 1/2" female)
- 7 tiger barbs
- 3 clown loaches
- 1 yellow lemon cichlid (3 cm)
- 1 pleco (2 cm)

*** last week i bought some 3 juvenile Red oscars of 2 cm size and to my mistake i forgot isolate them fisrst in isolation tank before i mix them with the community, they stayed there for 2 days and they showed signs of ich problems.I transferred them to the isolation tank for treatment as adviced and are getting better.

My main concern now is that my GT, KIX that is, is behaving strangely and is like getting all this jitters and tattering mouth, shaking half body from head to stomach like an epileptic patient, he keeps on digging and scratching himself from objects and the gravel, others are still not that serious but im more worried of KIX.Is he inhibiting the next ICH host or he is sick with another thing?

Any advice is most welcome, Thanks

[ysn27]

...well i guess no one has encountered this yet...
I just figured out something that may have caused what my GT is going through .. he still keeps on doing this uncontrollable shaking of head and opening of his mouth furiously and he becames more aggressive than ever ... and he doesnt like to be stared at or else he would open up his gills wide open and prepares to attack ... and he is really healthy enough that he even bites anything within the tank ... the clay pot, the gravel, plastic plants, and chases everyone.

KIX has gone berserk !!! I have to move him to a big pail coz he is chasing everyone in the tank and is causing injury his tankmates.

By moving him out i just remembered that 3 days ago my freind gave me 3 small juvenile black bala shark? ... im not sure of what it is but it looks like a catfish / clown loach but he has black body and red fins > they are like 2 cm long ...

Anyway, I Just found out that these 2 bala sharks are missing ... is it possible that KIX got so hungry and ate them ... I know GT's are predators in nature but i dont usually feed them feeder fish or any small fish ... He might have grabbed them and chewed on them furiously and maybe some bones got stuck on his mouth or gills ... this is really stupid of me telling you all this things im assuming or thinking ... but i just wanted to share this to all of you for analysis, cause i know you guys and gals are fish freaks like me in some way ... lol

Tommorow ... Day 3 ... Im gonna open his mouth with a pliers and check on whats the real score about this .... head shaking to the left and uncontrollable trembling ...

Dr. Epilepsy

[cichgirl]

Actually, fish open their mouths naturally when you bring them to the surface, you won't need pliers. Just gently lower the bottom lip with your thumbnail and his mouth will open for you. Also, while you have him out, gently check his gills. They should be clear of debris and cherry in color. I don't think he would have a problem eating 2cm bala sharks (were they really that small?), or the female could have too, for that matter. They will eat anything that they can catch and fit in their mouths.

Watch closely for ick in the tank. Even if you removed the oscars with the problem, there may be some free swimming specimens in the water. I would recommend that you treat the whole tank...

I don't have a GT, but I'm wondering if KIX wants to breed? Is he picking on the female?? They could have gotten into a spat and that could cause the tattered mouth.. Someone else might know more.... I know that my Americans attack the decorations - they like to redecorate... Good Luck!

[ysn27]

thanks cichgirl, ill give that one a try ... ill go check out his gill and find out if there's any debris hanging in there ... and i beleive your right about that rainbow shark they ate ( the last one remaining in the tank was lost too and i didnt catch that moment my female GT ate it ... thats for sure ... shes the only one capable doing it) I guess it didnt cause the problem coz she looks like she wants more ... thanks for the input ...
Now this time I really need your help for sure ... its my first time to have this itch problem and i observed that i didnt get rid of all the itch in my tank.There are indeed new signs that the ich is still there, my 3 clown loaches are host now and itch are showing on their body.

I have to treat the whole tank now.

And from all the readings ive been doing, its confusing me more and more ... i tried putting 1 tablespoon salt for every gallon and increasing the temp to 28 C ... didnt work ... clown loaches showed to be the new hosts ...

Havent tried to put medicines for ich because ive read that medicines with copper contents could cause big problem with my loaches ... so i tried the natural way...

Whats the best to do now?
Shall I lower dosage of itch solution if i decided to treat the whole tank because i have loaches in my tank?
Shall i remove all the gravel and disinfect it with some strong disinfectant and probably hot water?
Do a 100% water change and completely remove all ornaments in my tank including plants and completely disinfect them with hot water?

Thanks for the input cichgirl ... I recommend that you to become a moderator now ... i always see your name having honest and smart replies all over cichlidforum ... I hope i could log in more often but i could only access the forums on my free time at work ;)

THANKS a lot and good day to all

[cichgirl]

Thanks for the compliment, but moderator isn't for me.. The ones we have now are fantastic! They've helped me (and many other members also) a lot without even knowing it.. :D

BTW, there are ick meds that are okay for loaches.. Ask your lfs. There are a bunch that don't use copper. I think Jungle makes one called Ick Guard 2. I've never used it, so I don't know how good it is.

Don't take out the gravel & decorations to disinfect, you'll crash your biofilter and end up with a nasty ammonia spike... I would do a 25% water change daily & treat with ick meds. That is the safest way. Good luck!