Urgent

[PumaWard]

I have a juvenile Banded Dwarf Cichlid who had been picked on by two adults in and didn't get to eat much. I took him out yesterday and put him in a small hospital tank...I also noticed he looked slightly bloated. Now he has a hard time staying upright, stays very dark, and when he swims it seems like he does it without a purpose. I added a small amount of aquarium salt to try and help him out... the only medications I have right now are some AP bacterial infection medication and Quick Cure (for ich). Is it too late to help him...and do you think it could be dropsy..I'll add a picture..though it doesn't show the bloating very well and its pretty fuzy...any help is greatly appreciated.

[PumaWard]

here's the picture

[OrionGirl]

It's possible that he's picked up an infection. A medicated antibiotic food would be helpful, since the bloating indicates that this is probably an internal infection, rather than one inthe skin.

Is the fish eating now?

[PumaWard]

No, he won't eat. However, he is continueing to move around the tank. He's not breathing hard either...

I don't know if I can get any medicated food... I don' think the lfs has it... Is there anything else I can try?

[OrionGirl]

If he's not eating, it's a bad sign. You can try water column medications, but these tend to be slow, IME. Verify that it is gram positive and gram negative--broad spectrum are more effective, though they can wipe out the beneficial bacteria as well. See if anyone chimes in with better advice--sorry.

[PumaWard]

Okay, I have some AP anti-bacterial tabs....their supposed to treat both gram-pos and negative. I have used them in other tanks before.. they didn't seem to bother the bacteria culture...so here goes...Thanks for your help.

[ConMan]

the anti-biotic you are using will kill your nitrofying bacteria as well as any "bad" bacteria. Not to worry. Keep an eye on those amonia and nitite levels, and change the water as needed.

Good luck.

[PumaWard]

I think he's going to pass...not looking so hot, he can't even stay upright :(...oh well.

It said on the package that it wouldn't hurt the bacteria... but I agree... I don't see how it wouldn't kill off all the bacteria..

Thanks for all your help anyway.