View Full Version : Help! My JD is sick
fishgirl1976
04-14-2003, 10:31 AM
I have a Jack Dempsey who is about six years old. I moved him to a new tank on Saturday, and by Sunday he was not looking well so I moved him back to the old tank. He is not moving in the tank and is vertical with his head down. He is moving his fins and pumping his gills.
Any ideas on what might be wrong or what I should do?
VoodooChild
04-14-2003, 12:39 PM
If his gills are really pumping the new tank is probably cycling and he's just dealing with the ammonia. Can you give us some tank specs? I'd probably just leave him in his old tank now for another 3 weeks or so and let the new tank cycle through.
fishgirl1976
04-14-2003, 2:02 PM
The new tank had been cycling for several months. I'm not sure about the water chemistry, because I did not test it (no test kit and I am POOR! My bad). When I started the new tank, I used some of the water and gravel from the old tank. My fish is pretty hearty and has survived a few drastic water changes. I just don't know what could cause him to lose his equilibrium like this?? Thanks
cichlidgirl57
04-14-2003, 10:46 PM
:( So sorry..I think I would keep in old tank and see how the adjustment is made. he may be really stressed now. i hope all works out for you.
VoodooChild
04-15-2003, 12:00 PM
Using the old gravel was good but if there was nothing in there for a few months alot of the bacteria will have died off by now. I would guess it's re-cycling or he's stressed out by the move. Or both. Try bringing a water sample to your LFS and see what they say.
fishgirl1976
04-17-2003, 4:14 PM
:(
Well, he's still standing on his head and it's been four days!! I am so worried about him! I've been treating him with antibiotics (can't remember which kind) since Monday.
Any more ideas?
If hes been upside down for 4 days then I would asume he/she most likely wont make it. I would hat for this to happen to my 4+ old Jag. Im sorry but I just dont think she will be able to recover. I had this happen to a buttikoferi but it was still small I had it for a week and it did the same thing and didnt recover. I think part of it was my fault the tank hadent cycled that and I move it from one tank to the other noticed he was acting weird put it to the other tank and he got worse so put him back to the other tank and then I was like you idiot water conditions were off and temp was deifferant. I felt so bad. But yeah hope im wrong but I dont think i am.
redeye
05-01-2003, 2:12 AM
im sorry this happened to me also .after water change.
his body may look bowed and he cant keep balance , you may also not his tail may not move at all.
I called an exotic vet and this was his advice.
He may be sick due to shock = low imune system he may recover.
he may have had a stroke due to shock and poor oxygen exchange.
All you can do is try to but some anti biotics in tank to help him fight if there is a bacterial infection.
To help him recover put him in the smaller of the tanks and hyper oxygenate the tank. as much oxygen as the tank cak can hold if you can afford it . i have 3 dual pumps going in minne . 3 bubble curtains going.
Mine has recoved to an extent . he can swim now but his rear end has not yet recovered looks a bit paralized . All you can do is give him alot of air and put the tank at a higher level than normal to increase metabolism. however if he is not eating it could kill him faster.
If you must put him down i recomend puting him in a small container of water and put him in a freezer.... he will slow down then coma then die....painless ..alternative to taking his head off quickly with a blade. ......also humane.