Help! My PB Discus is swimming funny...

[marl_nyc]

I just found him tonight swimming near the bottom of the tank with his head down and with a big belly. Took some quick pictures of him.
I have him in a 55g planted community tank with 4 other discus and other community fish. Everyone else is ok except for him. Nothing was added to the tank recently but i did a 50% water change last friday.
Will be checking water parameters in a few mins. Just wanted to post this for now... I'm thinking he might be just bloated. I have epsom salts on hand and will try adding some to the water and see what happens then. He had problems several months ago with a rectal prolapse which caused him to be stunted. Anyone got an idea with what he has and what I should do?

Marl

[marl_nyc]

cant seem to be able to post pics...

[marl_nyc]

finally got the pics up

[GuppyGirl1230]

I am thinking air bladder problem? Not sure tho. I have guppies, not discus, but I had a male that did this behavior and it ended up being his air bladder. The bad part is that there is nothing you can do about air bladder problems. Again, I am not too familiar with these fish, and I really hope it is not his air bladder. I could be 100% wrong. Good luck and I hope whatever it is, your fish recovers.

Maribeth

[marl_nyc]

I am thinking air bladder problem? Not sure tho. I have guppies, not discus, but I had a male that did this behavior and it ended up being his air bladder. The bad part is that there is nothing you can do about air bladder problems. Again, I am not too familiar with these fish, and I really hope it is not his air bladder. I could be 100% wrong. Good luck and I hope whatever it is, your fish recovers.

Maribeth

Hopefully it's not... As for now I'm thinking he's just bloated and the Epsom salt I added will help him. He's under observation now... Thanks for your concern Maribeth! :)

[marl_nyc]

Water Parameters:
Temp: 86 F
pH: 6.2
Nitrite: 0.1
Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 40 ppm
GH:4 deg

Just added Epsom Salt (1 tsp for every 10 Gallons)

Will see what happens.

[GuppyGirl1230]

Hopefully it's not... As for now I'm thinking he's just bloated and the Epsom salt I added will help him. He's under observation now... Thanks for your concern Maribeth! :)

I tried to look more up on the condition your fish might have, and from pics, it looks like you may be right!:grinyes: I am really thinking your fish is just bloated! Good luck!!!

Maribeth

[pinkertd]

Hey Marl! My first treatment would be epsom salts but 1 tablespoon per 10G, and if no improvement in 4 hours....dose again. If it's bloat, it will do it's job and induce a lot of poop. Hopefully by now she's better.

[marl_nyc]

Hey Marl! My first treatment would be epsom salts but 1 tablespoon per 10G, and if no improvement in 4 hours....dose again. If it's bloat, it will do it's job and induce a lot of poop. Hopefully by now she's better.

Hi Deb! Yup woke up this morning and found him hiding behind the driftwood looking a little stressed out. Dosed the tank one more time with Epsom salts and it did the trick. He's now up and about looking for food. :rofl:

[nc0gnet0]

Watch his poo, if it is white and fluffy, your going to need to treat for hex. If it is nice and dark, you should be home free.

[fishorama]

Watch your params too, 40ppm nitrates is getting high & any nitrite or ammonia isn't good. I try to keep most tanks 10-20ppm, discus more like 5ppm. Good luck on the recovery

[roscoe70]

Watch your params too, 40ppm nitrates is getting high & any nitrite or ammonia isn't good. I try to keep most tanks 10-20ppm, discus more like 5ppm. Good luck on the recovery

Yep water change couldn't hurt. Good luck.

[pinkertd]

Hi Deb! Yup woke up this morning and found him hiding behind the driftwood looking a little stressed out. Dosed the tank one more time with Epsom salts and it did the trick. He's now up and about looking for food. :rofl:

Sometimes they scarf up dry food wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too fast and as the dry food takes on more water in their belly, it expands.....lots!!!
Glad lil "El Hungry" is doing fine!