Sick red devil

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Tom - 25 Oct 2005 04:56 GMT

Hello,

I have a 5+ year old red devil that I have had in the same 55 gallon
tank by himself for the last 3 years. Recently he started acting funny
swimming vertically and lying upright in the bottom corner of the tank
for long periods of time. After several days of this behavior and a
talk with the local pet store we treated with kanoplex. I did the 3
recommended doses, and a water change, and he appeared to be getting
better. However after a few more days the behavior returned and got
worse. He swims up side down, and bumps into stuff all over the tank,
and lies sideways at the top of the tank. The LFS recommended another
round of treatment, but this time the kanoplex did not seem to have any
effect. The store thought it might be a swim bladder infection and
said the fish could continue to swim erratically, but could live on for
a year or more. I have been doing water changes on a monthly basis for
the last 5 years, and nitrates nitrites, ammonia, PH, temperature, and
alkalinity test great. I hate to see my fish in this condition. He is
not eating much if anything. At the last visit to the fish store they
recommended a kanoplex and focus with krill mix to ensure the fish is
absorbing the antibiotic. I have not done this yet, because the fish
is not eating the untreated krill. I got a little desperate tonight,
and put him in a new 10 gallon tank just in case there is something
going wrong in the other tank that the test are not picking up. There
has been no change in his behavior.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Tom

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Elaine T - 25 Oct 2005 05:40 GMT

> Hello,
>
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Thanks,
> Tom

Sounds bacterial if kanamycin helped for a while. If you're lucky
enough to find some, use Paragon II by Aquatronics. It's a mixture of
metronidazole and broad spectrum antibiotics. Unfortunately,
Aquatronics recently went out of business so supplies are dwindling. If
you can't find Paragon II, try a diferent broad spectrum antibiotic like
tri-sulfa or Furanace.

Your store is correct that antibiotics from food are preferred, however
if the fish isn't eating, he isn't eating. Large fish can be treated by
injection; however, a vet needs to do it and that's an expensive option
that may not even be available to you.

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Tom - 28 Oct 2005 06:29 GMT

I have been doing lots of water changes, and for the past 48 hours he
has been laying sideways at the surface of the tank. I am afraid it is
too late because he will not eat, and I don't know what else to do.

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Kodiak - 02 Nov 2005 15:13 GMT

don't give up, my red devil was doing the same, the 5 others ganged up on
him,
eventually he developped a bad bacterial infected gash on his side, i thout
he was
a goner for sure. I put him in a seperate hospital tank, did a baktopur
treatment,
lots of water changes and heavy filtration, he recovered nicely. They are
strong
resiliant fish, don't give up.

Signature

...Kodiak

> I have been doing lots of water changes, and for the past 48 hours he
> has been laying sideways at the surface of the tank. I am afraid it is
> too late because he will not eat, and I don't know what else to do.

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Pet Forum / Aquaria / Cichlids / November 2005

Sick red devil