Quick overview. Planted 125L tank with a good sized external filter (Fluval 307). Injected CO2. Reasonably lean dosing. Water params ~ 50/50 RO/Tapwater (hardwater); GH 12, KH 6,NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 ~20ppm, PO4 ~0.5ppm. PH between 6.8-7.8 depending on time of day (changes with CO2 levels). Livestock - 8x Dwarf Pencilfish, 1x Pleco, 3x Corey (small), 2x guppys, 2x black pahntom tetras, 12x Lambchop Rasbora, 10x Chilli Rasbora, ~40 cherry shrimp, various snails. Sounds like quite a lot but the rasboras are all tiny so have very little bio-load.
Generally the tank seems quite healthy, I change 30-40L weekly, clean eheim pre-filter with water changes and the canister filter every 1-2 months.
I've noticed a few of my pencilfish have a bit of a bloated stomach. I'd presumed these were the females with some eggs. However, one in particular has become very bloated to the point that it looks deformed. I've also noticed that the female guppy looks pregnant even when she's given birth.
Having read a little about bloating I'm concerned that the fish in question may have something called dropsy?
I'm attaching a few photos, sorry if they aren't clear but the fish don't stay still for long! Does this sound like a sane diagnosis?
If this is the case, what's the best thing to do to treat them? Of course youtube is full of all sorts of conflicting information. I have a small 34L tank I could setup for quarantine/treatment if I have to. I've seen advice ranging from feeding vegetable matter only, API aquarium salt, API metafix, antibiotics, epsom salts etc. I wonder also whether I should only treat the fish that are clearly effected or also those suspected (the pencilfish with a slightly plump belly)?
Generally the tank seems quite healthy, I change 30-40L weekly, clean eheim pre-filter with water changes and the canister filter every 1-2 months.
I've noticed a few of my pencilfish have a bit of a bloated stomach. I'd presumed these were the females with some eggs. However, one in particular has become very bloated to the point that it looks deformed. I've also noticed that the female guppy looks pregnant even when she's given birth.
Having read a little about bloating I'm concerned that the fish in question may have something called dropsy?
I'm attaching a few photos, sorry if they aren't clear but the fish don't stay still for long! Does this sound like a sane diagnosis?
If this is the case, what's the best thing to do to treat them? Of course youtube is full of all sorts of conflicting information. I have a small 34L tank I could setup for quarantine/treatment if I have to. I've seen advice ranging from feeding vegetable matter only, API aquarium salt, API metafix, antibiotics, epsom salts etc. I wonder also whether I should only treat the fish that are clearly effected or also those suspected (the pencilfish with a slightly plump belly)?