sick fish

[graysilm]

My largest blue fish (same kind as the blue one in my pics but larger) became very sick yesterday. After reading some literature on fish sickness I determined that he must have swim bladder disease(or a swim bladder injury) He completely lost his balence and his swimming became screwed up. A soon as this happened all the other fish started attacking him. I took him out and put him in my hospital tank. The information I read said to put him in a shallow clean tank with an antibiotic. I went to petsmart to buy an antibiotic and could not find one. I did find a product called APPLUS+. It says it is Anti-bacteria, bacterial infection treatment. It says the active ingredients are formalin, benzalkonium Chloride. Is this an approriate medication for swim bladder disease? Does anyone have any advice? Also should I be feeding the fish while he is being medicated. I fed him one pellet last night and he ate it. Advice is appreciated. Thanks.

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

What exactly are all the symptoms? Swim bladder disease is pretty uncommon, there may be a more common cause for his symptoms.

-Diana

[graysilm]

it may not be disease, it may be injury related. he started floating off balance, he cant wiggle his body like he used to, he doesn't wiggle his tail much, and he just cant swim good, horrible balance. His belly looks like it is sunken in, and he had some scales falling off. I don't know if the scales were falling off because of his ailment or from the other fish attacking him. he still eats, but he is in my hospital tank. should i be treating him with the antibacterial stuff? should i be feeding him? how long should a sick fish be treated in medicated water? thanks so much

[graysilm]

or would i be better off using tetracycline?

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

Hmmm yeah sounds like he just got beat up pretty bad. I'm not familiar with treating swim bladder problems... but from what I've heard they are hard to treat. Medicating him with a general antibiotic will help any infections due to his injuries. The swimming problem will likely just need time to heal, but often unfortuneately it doesnt heal and the fish needs to be put down (or let die). The sunken stomach however is a symptom for internal parasites, and should be treated with metranidazol. However, I would wait until your fish starts making a recovery and is able to swim properly.

:)
-Diana

[graysilm]

i am beginning to question whether or not my red zebra (the yellow orange guy) caused this fishes injuries. He is pretty mean and he has caused problems with other fish in the past. Problem is, hes pretty, he is active and amusing, and i really don't want to get rid of him. Do you think he could live by himself in a ten gallon?