Jack Dempsy in bad shape. Help

[whisky_flu]

I have a 5 yr old Jack and he has been just sitting on the bottom for a couple weeks and I haven't seen him eat. One day last week, when I went to feed, I thought he was dead b/c he was laying on his side on the bottom and his body was bent at an angle. Every now and then other fish (green sevrums) will swim near him and he will swim backward with his front fins and then lay back down.

There are no other visible signs of stress, injury, or disease. If put my hand in the water near him, he'll just move enough to get out of the way.

Any ideas or advice? The local fish store suggested that he might have broken his back and if he doesn't get any better in a few days to euthanize him.

 

[adgolde]

euthanize him? whats that mean

 

[jonathan03]

euthanize him? whats that mean

It means to put him out of misery.

He just may be getting old. It might not be the back but the swim bladder or an internal parasite. I would try and keep him for as long as you can. At least the servums aren't as agressive as other cichlids. Hopefully he will get better.

What do you usually feed him? Maybe some small guppies will work? He definately needs to eat. I'd keep the lights out for as long as possible. Hopefully you don't have live plants.

 

[Karnaaj]

How often and how much are your water changes? How big is the tank? If you have him in with Severums he should at least be in a 75g if not bigger.

 

[whisky_flu]

I have a 180 gal and I do 10-20% water changes about every 3 weeks. Water quality in the tank should not be an issue. And no, I don't have live plants.

I feed them a combo of cichlid gold pellets, food sticks, and Krill.

I guess that I am going to try treating him. I have never had much luck with the meds, do you have any to recommend?