help my fishy

[cucucazoo]

my cichlid (I don't know what type) does not eat and just floats at the to of the tank, all my other fish are fine whats wrong with him. he used to be the biggest and strongest eater. HELP :(

[fredzebra]

How long has your fish been like this? sounds like something with the swim bladder. I'm not sure what a cure is, but i think it might be caused by over-feeding or feeding foods that expand once inside the fish or food that contains air (air is trapped inside the fish). what is it that you feed this fish anyway? what temperature do you keep your aquarium? you probably dont want to attempt to feed the fish for a few days to see if the problem clears up. probably someone else on this board has better advice.

[cucucazoo]

[quote:85833e017f="fredzebra"]How long has your fish been like this? sounds like something with the swim bladder. I'm not sure what a cure is, but i think it might be caused by over-feeding or feeding foods that expand once inside the fish or food that contains air (air is trapped inside the fish). what is it that you feed this fish anyway? what temperature do you keep your aquarium? you probably dont want to attempt to feed the fish for a few days to see if the problem clears up. probably someone else on this board has better advice.[/quote:85833e017f]

i think you are right, i feed them wardley floating pellets wich expand, he was always a pig and ate much more than the others, but he has not eating very much or anything in over a week! i keep my aquarium 78-80 and just replaced most of the water.

[fredzebra]

I found this on the net this morning. your fish most likely has one of these 2 problems (probably the first one listed):

Constipation – Sometimes the fish fails to digest food properly due to a poor diet and overfeeding. Constipated and bloated, the afflicted fish will not want to eat; hardly discharging feces, and feeling weak, it will often rest on the substrate. Experts suggest adding a teaspoon of Epsom salts to every 10 liters (2 gallons) of tank water, and then making sure that the fish is fed the right food in proper quantities.

Swim Bladder Disease – Poor water quality, mishandling, and congenital disorder are the main causes of swim bladder disease. The afflicted fish has difficulty staying upright, oftentimes swimming upside down or sideways. Antibiotics and improvement of the water conditions can correct bacterial infection due to a poor habitat. Congenital disorders and permanent swim bladder damage, however, may be irreparable, therefore, euthanasia should be considered.

[cucucazoo]

[quote:72c5173e53="fredzebra"]I found this on the net this morning. your fish most likely has one of these 2 problems (probably the first one listed):

Constipation – Sometimes the fish fails to digest food properly due to a poor diet and overfeeding. Constipated and bloated, the afflicted fish will not want to eat; hardly discharging feces, and feeling weak, it will often rest on the substrate. Experts suggest adding a teaspoon of Epsom salts to every 10 liters (2 gallons) of tank water, and then making sure that the fish is fed the right food in proper quantities.

Swim Bladder Disease – Poor water quality, mishandling, and congenital disorder are the main causes of swim bladder disease. The afflicted fish has difficulty staying upright, oftentimes swimming upside down or sideways. Antibiotics and improvement of the water conditions can correct bacterial infection due to a poor habitat. Congenital disorders and permanent swim bladder damage, however, may be irreparable, therefore, euthanasia should be considered.[/quote:72c5173e53]

i think he is constipated he is swiming fairly well, i am going to go pick up some salts and new food, thanx