HELP! CAE sick and I don't know what else to do.

[littleloachlover]

Hello all! This is my first post so please be gentle. We have multiple tanks and are very fortunate to have very healthy fish, save 1....Mickey. Mickey is a 3.5 in Chinese algae eater. We are aware of their potential for agression and he has a planted 55 gallon home that he shares with 10 tiger barbs and various plants.
Quick stats: Eheim Eco Pro 2236 canister filter (for 80 gal)
Sand substrate.
Temp: 78.7
Amm. & nitrites: 0, nitrate 10 to 20
Weekly vac n 25% water changes (sometimes every 5days)
Our CAE has become swollen and red 3times prior to this episode. We quarantine him into a 10gal QT and try different things. To date, we have:
. epsom salt bath for constipation
. Kanaplex n epsom salt
. Antibacterial med recm'd by our lfs (whom we've trusted for yrs)
. Maracyn 1 & 2. ONLY success we've had. Once i have him well, he goes back to his 55gal home, but within 2weeks he turns red around gills and face and begins to swell (eventually pineconing). I dont want to euthanize him but i am out of options and ideas. I love this guy! I brought him back from my initial diagnosis of bacterial hemmorhagic sept. and i cant get him to remain healthy. He is very active and feeds continuously. PLEASE HELP US SAVE OUR beloved.

 

[Mumma.of.two]

Hello. Welcome to AA.
It looks like your trying everything I can think of. It sounds like he is suffering from dropsy. Dropsy isn't a disease itself but a symptom of internal infection, organ failure and fluid retention. Unfortunately once a fish comes down with it there usually isn't a recovery. I'm sorry.

Common Name: Dropsy
Pathogen/Cause: Various organisms (nonspecific), poor water quality.
Physical Signs: Bloated appearence with scales that stick out like a pine cone. Best viewed from above. Dropsy is not really a specific pathologic entity, it is to describe a general condition of fluid accumulation in the internal body cavity, which has many causes. Dropsy usually signals internal infection and multiple organ failure. It can be compared to ascites in humans in end stage kidney failure.
Behavioral Signs: Lethargy, lack of appetite, grave constitutional signs.
Potential Treatment: Unfortunately, dropsy is *usually* incurable and fatal; however, in rare cases, spontaneous recovery may occur. A strong antibiotic such as kanamycin sulfate can be tried, but because it is an internal infection, usually it does little good.
Other Notes: Take measures to improve water quality immediately. Fortunately, it is not highly contagious.

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/fish_palace/tropicalfish_disease_identification.html#ERM