Questions about bloat

[calfla]

Hi. A friend would like to know about treating bloat in an Oscar. There are 2 plecostumus in the tank, if an epsom salt treatment is used, must the plecs be removed from the tank?

The shelled pea idea has been tried, the fish will not eat them. The fish seems to be getting bigger every day. It is about 7 years old and has never had bloat before.The owner believes the fish has laid eggs before.

Any thoughts or ideas on how to deal with this and save the fish would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[freddyk]

IF it is actually bloat and not a digestive blockage (constipation) then you're friend would have no choice but to medicate the fish - bloat is a bacterial disease so you would need to use an anti-bacterial med.