Festivum not eating

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Goldiefinn

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May 11, 2009
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Vancouver, BC
I have a 75 gallon freshwater tank, containing a school of black skirt tetras, a bristlenose plec, a large gold severum (approx 8") and a Festivum (approx 5"). I've had this tank up and running since february, and the fish have always seemed healthy and got along fine.

For the past week and a half or so, the Festivum hasn't been interested in food. He just lingers near the bottom or back of the tank while the others eat. Even if I put food infront of him (flakes or sinking cichlid pellets) he doesn't even go for them.

There are no physical symptoms on the Festivum -- he looks fine. He just isn't eating (and he used to LOVE to eat!) and he lingers on his own a lot.

There is no aggression in the tank -- the large Severum is very mellow, so he isn't being harrassed.

All the other fish seem as happy as usual -- it's just the Festivum.

Any ideas what's wrong with him? I did some research and seems it could be constipation? I'm just not sure what treatment to start with, as he's going to starve soon. I read that an epsom salts bath might work for constipation, and wondered if anyone's tried that?

I do have a 10 gallon quarantine tank I can put him in, but it isn't set up yet -- til I know what treatment to try.

Thanks!
 

Goldiefinn

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May 11, 2009
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Oh I also want to add that I recently added an aerator -- bubble wand at one side of the tank. Would that be enough to freak the Festivum out to not eat?
 

allaboutfish

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Jul 12, 2011
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johnathon dunn
peas should help with constipation. i would boil a couple of them deshell them and then dip them in som garlic juice (i bought mine at a fish store).
 

Goldiefinn

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May 11, 2009
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Vancouver, BC
Good idea, but he won't eat anything.... has anyone tried an Epsom Salts bath?
 

Star_Rider

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Dec 21, 2005
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Spanaway, Wa.
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Ed
you can try epsom salt bath or dip.. epsoms salts are a natural laxative.
but there are other things that can cause a fish to not eat.

you may want to look for signs of internal parasites..they are pretty common in cichlids(actually many fish).

I generally will treat any new additions to my tanks with a course of anti parasite meds
 
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