sick female apisto c.

[joedarat]

she' been laying low, breathing heavy, and slow moving... but the strange thing is, she's been like this for almost a week.. usually when I see a fish like this, it dies within 2 days.. Only difference I see . is that she is still eating when food goes by... so i've checked the levels, did a PWC and rattling my brain.. any ideas?

 

[Meredith]

1~What type of fish is afflicted? In addition, please describe what is wrong with the fish to the best of your ability (i.e. cotton like growth, bloated, etc.).
2~What are your tank parameters (ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, temp, pH)? Please give exact values.
3~ How large is the tank? How long has the tank been set up?
4~What type of filtration are you using? Please give the name and number (i.e. Fluval 304) and amount of gph if known.
5~How many fish are in the tank? What kinds of fish are they and what are their current sizes?
6~When is the last time you did a water change and vacuum the gravel? How often do you do this? How much water do you remove at a time?
7~How long have you had the fish? If the fish is new, how did you acclimate it/them?
8~Have you added anything new to the tank--decor, new dechlorinator, new substrate, etc.?
9A~What kind of food have you been feeding your fish, have you changed their diet recently?

 

[joedarat]

Apistogramma Cacatouides F, slow heavy breathing , not bloated, slow moving, stays low, mostly lays on gravel, or in cave (terra cotta) on belly and dorsal fin usually extended .

ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 15ppm, temp 79F, ph 6.8

37 Gal about 18months - eheim 2026 - fluval 204 - (combined.. more than enuf gph)

my sig has tank mates

last water change was last night about 20% (every week to 2 weeks with some vac)

had the fish about 6 weeks - drip acclimated

added the eheim, 2 days ago, but she's been like this for a week-

feeding : bioblend for cichlids, biogold, and blood worms-- lately ive been feeding mostly frozen bloodworms (more than usual) to try and stimulate spawning.

 

[joedarat]

here's some more info..

strange behavior.. whenever the male apisto approaches the female, she turns to her side until he goes away... 8O what the??

 

[Meredith]

Is there any way you can put her into qt for observation? Are her gills swollen at all? If there are no outward signs of disease it could be parasites. At the very least, continue with small frequent water changes. 10 to 20% every other day or so.

 

[joedarat]

her gills do look a little swollen and more pinkish than usual. I'll keep up the water changes.. some copper safe??