Unwell Apistogramma!

[annaw123]

My Apistogramma cacatuoides is ill! Woke up this morning and he was lying at the bottom of the tank, still breathing but when he moved he cant swim properly or anything!
He looks sort of bloated and is now lying on his side in a hospital tank with a heater ... what shall i do? I checked the water parameters of my big tank and they are FINE so i dont understand what has happened!
Someone please help!
Xxx

 

[NathanPrince]

Have you fed them bloodworm at all? I've been told by 2 reputable breeders that feeding male cacs bloodworm kills them because they can't digest it, I lost 3 to this before I realised.

Has he gone missing for a day or two then reappeared really weak and on his side a lot?

 

[annaw123]

Oh **** yeah, dried bloodworm if that counts!
*****, what shall i do!? Thankyou!

Have you fed them bloodworm at all? I've been told by 2 reputable breeders that feeding male cacs bloodworm kills them because they can't digest it, I lost 3 to this before I realised.

Has he gone missing for a day or two then reappeared really weak and on his side a lot?

And yes he is on his side and can barely swim!

Please watch your language!

 

[NathanPrince]

Yeah thats whats done it, I don't know if theres anything you can do I couldn't figure out what it was before I lost them so I can't help with that.

I was told it affected the swim bladder? Maybe try some meds for that but I can't be 100% certain.

Good Luck

 

[annaw123]

Thanks so much, i'll do some research now for the poor little guy
Thanks!

 

[NathanPrince]

No problem, sorry I couldn't be of more assistance. If I find out anything else I'll let you know!

 

[annaw123]

Thankyou! I'm desperately searching now, want to save the poor guy!

 

[NathanPrince]

Fingers crossed you can save him, substitute the bloodworm for some frozen brineshrimp or daphnia from now on.

I feed mine that and Tetra prima/colour flakes and sinking cichlid pellets varied throughout the week. the frozen food is only a once a week treat though and you'll notice a massive difference in health, growth and colour.

 

[annaw123]

Yeah i will do, definitely knocking the bloodworm on the head from now on! Not sure that he will make it ... will keep you posted!

 

[NathanPrince]

Keep an eye out for white fluff on his body, that was the last thing that happened before mine died.

 

[annaw123]

Eek ok will do, his tummy has gone very pale

 

[KISSfn]

Oh **** yeah, dried bloodworm if that counts!
*****, what shall i do!? Thankyou!

Have you fed them bloodworm at all? I've been told by 2 reputable breeders that feeding male cacs bloodworm kills them because they can't digest it, I lost 3 to this before I realised.

Has he gone missing for a day or two then reappeared really weak and on his side a lot?

And yes he is on his side and can barely swim!

Great info NathanPrince! You should ask a mod to have that pinned if it isn't already.

I hope your fish recovers annaw123.

 

[NathanPrince]

I was considering asking a Mod to Pin it in the New World section, would save a lot of peoples Apistos if they didn't know

 

[KISSfn]

You should. It's a life saving golden nugget of info people need! If somebody knew that doing (something presumed to be safe) to Tiger Barbs could kill them I would love to know it!

 

[annaw123]

Yeah thanks a lot, it was really helpful. Unfortunately, a little too late for my Apisto
RIP