View Full Version : HELP! Something WRONG With Convict!!
ConvictKid
03-05-2004, 6:24 PM
I have 150 gallon fish tank, with a convict, a jack dempsy, and a tiger oscar. Filtration - Penguin 330 and a Fluval 403. Yesterday I noticed that my convict (female) that I have had for over 2 years has some kind of bubble over her eye. Im not really sure what it is. I was planning on doing a water change today, but it was rainy today. I dont know what to do. I don't want to lose her, she is my oldest fish. I would like to get some pics of her, but my mom's camera isnt hooked up. I'll see if I can get it hooked up, or use my dad's camera. Anyone know what it is, what its caused by, and how to fix it? I have added some salt, novaqua, and amquel. HELP!
fishbc
03-05-2004, 6:46 PM
1. Avoid purchasing/adding fishes to your established tank which exhibits the following symptoms :-
* unusual swimming behaviour e.g. tailspin, rapid or jerky movement
* signs of injuries to fins and body. e.g. bleeding, ulcers, skin or fin tear
* not eating. A healthy fish will devour any food gladly
* eyes blurry. Popeye or cloudiness.
2. Pay attention to the fishes for at least a few minutes a day and observe the behaviour. Stressed fishes may exhibit certain unusual behaviour :-
* not eating.
* always hiding, being bullied by other tank mates regularly.
* coming up to the surface to breath regularly, could be a sign of an over-crowded tank or insufficient dissolved oxygen in the water. (in the latter, changing fresh water will help)
3. Ensure the water condition is kept to the ideal level. Check for presence of ammonia and variation in pH (test kits are easily available) at least once a month.Practice regular fresh water changing, make sure the temperature and pH level is similar and not to more than 50% of the water at one time. Avoid cleaning your biological filter all at once, alternate the cleaning.
1. Avoid purchasing/adding fishes to your established tank which exhibits the following symptoms :-
* unusual swimming behaviour e.g. tailspin, rapid or jerky movement
* signs of injuries to fins and body. e.g. bleeding, ulcers, skin or fin tear
* not eating. A healthy fish will devour any food gladly
* eyes blurry. Popeye or cloudiness.
2. Pay attention to the fishes for at least a few minutes a day and observe the behaviour. Stressed fishes may exhibit certain unusual behaviour :-
* not eating.
* always hiding, being bullied by other tank mates regularly.
* coming up to the surface to breath regularly, could be a sign of an over-crowded tank or insufficient dissolved oxygen in the water. (in the latter, changing fresh water will help)
3. Ensure the water condition is kept to the ideal level. Check for presence of ammonia and variation in pH (test kits are easily available) at least once a month.Practice regular fresh water changing, make sure the temperature and pH level is similar and not to more than 50% of the water at one time. Avoid cleaning your biological filter all at once, alternate the cleaning.
I hoped that helped.
ConvictKid
03-05-2004, 7:27 PM
I got a camera working. Its her left eye. Here are the pics I took - not the best:
http://www.wrestlingwire.net/test/fishpics/DSC00941.jpg
http://www.wrestlingwire.net/test/fishpics/DSC00942.jpg
Is that Popeye? (That's what its called, isn't it?)
ConvictKid
03-05-2004, 10:51 PM
I think it may be. Can this be cured? Does it cause death?
I've never dealt with it. But, there is a med called...Maracyn-Two , it's supposed to help.
Maybe someone else will know how effective it is or not.
ConvictKid
03-06-2004, 11:44 AM
Anyone familar with popeye and how to treat it?
PumaWard
03-06-2004, 4:13 PM
One of my brother's female rams has a chronic popeye problem, it was relieve the first few times with kanacyn.
Popeye is usually caused by poor water quality, so check your stats, mainly ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate and get back to us with those readings. Very clean water usually speeds recovery.
ConvictKid
03-06-2004, 4:55 PM
It seems as if both eyes have it now. I just did a water change today. I have a 5 gallon hexagon tank that I have sent up, but has no filtration or heater. Should I take her out of the 150 gallon and put her in the 5? Right now she is at the top of the tank in the corner. Its not looking very good.
ConvictKid
03-06-2004, 11:47 PM
I moved her into the 5 gallon earlier with no heater or filtration. The filter wont fit on that 5 gallon tank since its a hexagon. I have a termometer in there to monitor the temperature. What should I do to cure her eyes?
PumaWard
03-07-2004, 8:08 AM
Again, check ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate, your other fish could still be at risk.
Next, she's really going to need a heater. Popeye is usually caused by bacteria which will thrive in the lowered temperatures. Next, I would keep an eye on water quality in the 5g, it could get bad.
To treat her, use kanacyn or maracyn II (I have no experience with the latter). Do water changes every day to keep water quality in tip-top shape. Also, do not add any tablesalt. I've read somewhere that it can make it worse.
HTH
ConvictKid
03-07-2004, 11:02 AM
I dont have any test kits for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. All I have is a pH test kit.
PumaWard
03-07-2004, 11:14 AM
Well, you can take a water sample to you LFS and they will test it.
Usually you can get a master test kit for ~$25 from Aquarium pharmaceuticals (SP?), it's well worth the money... I love mine :D
ConvictKid
03-07-2004, 11:16 AM
I dont think I'll be able to go to the LFS today because my mom is going to work and my dad is out for the day. No transportation.
ConvictKid
03-08-2004, 2:16 PM
I have a 10 gallon with a filter that I am going to setup. Just need a place to put it and then im gonna set it up. Is it okay if I set it up with no rocks - just a heater, termometer, and filter? I just plan on using this for her cuz she is sick and dont want to have to deal with rocks.
ConvictKid
04-05-2004, 2:54 PM
My convict is still alive. She seems like she is getting a lot wider. She isnt eating, but is getting bigger. Her head seems to be dark and the rest of her is regular colored. Im hoping to get test kits real soon. I'm just short on cash right now, spent it all on melafix and salt for my catfish who is now in there with her because he got chewed up from my oscar.
ConvictKid
04-12-2004, 1:18 PM
I woke up on April 7th at 6:44:14 AM ET and she was on the bottom of the tank, dead on her side.
Sorry to hear that, CKid.
:(
Lila