Really huge fat stomach....Not eating :(

[Druz]

Hi guys,

I need help again.

I have a pair of pearl discus adult size and one has a really fat stomach.
Now, the male with the fat stomach hasn't eaten anything for around a week now and the female all of a sudden stopped eating.

They are still both active especially the male eventhough he has a fat stomach still likes to impress the female by dancing etc. No signs of dark colour, hex or white poo as yet.

PH is 6.8 and i still need to test nitrate and ammonia. A 20% water change is done everyday and it's a bare bottom tank with only a sponge filter and a breeding cone in it.

BTW, i've omly had this pair for 7 days.

I've treated the pair with lavemisole 2 days ago but this hasn't improve the male with his fat stomach.

Should i treat it with aquamaster tape and fluke?

Any help would be very grateful.

[Druz]

Just an update.

Here are some pictures.
Can someone tell me where to buy epsom salt?

http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=894
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=892
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=890
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=889
http://www.discusforums.com/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=893


Ladyred, your expert advice would be much appreciated.


Any help would be grateful.

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[dachoo]

Hi
You can buy Epsom Salts(Magnesium Sulfate) at any chemist shop.
David

[Merrilyn]

That's really quite an extreme swelling on that fish. Have you seen him pass any droppings at all while you've had him.

If there is a blockage of some kind, then certainly espom salts will help to move it through.

Think I'd try this before I tried the tapeworm tablets.

[Druz]

Thank you LR.

I'll grab some epsom salts on my way home from work.

Does normal salt help at all?

I stopped by Safeway yesterday and was unable to see it anywhere.

Thank You again...

[dachoo]

Normal salt are Sodium Chloride, it a different thing. But it will help a little if the blooating is duel to toxin.
David

[sammigold]

When I went looking for them I looked in the laundry section where they have the electric soda etc... but it wasnt there.. (it used to be) but now they keep it with the health/vitamin, stomach anti acid stuff... up on top shelf at my safeway.... ask the people at the front desk (I did and he took me straight to it)

Good Luck :D

[Druz]

Update.

Hi LR,

I've just come home and notice feces hanging from his vent. Seems like its just hanging there.

[Merrilyn]

Well that's good news at least. It means something is getting through. Dose with the epsom salts, and keep your fingers crossed.

You'll see results within 24 hours if it's going to help.

[Proteus]

:(

I have seen this before... (Bunga raya)

good luck.

[Druz]

Update.

He still has a fat stomach, but it's only been just over 12hrs now :(

Hi Proteus,

I've read your article on the bunga raya and now i'm more worried than before :(

I'm still praying :(

Is this contagious?

Should i take out the female and leave the male in there by himself?

One last thing, what's the correct treatment with epsom? I know it's 1 tsp per 40 litres but do i need to repeat that treatment after a certain period and is water change required?


Regards,

Druz

[Merrilyn]

Epsom salts is a single dose only treatment (it's a laxative). After 24 hours, just do your normal water changes. Good luck.

[Druz]

Thanks LR.

[Proteus]

Druz, follow the advice you have been given. In all honesty I would very much doubt that your fish has the same thing, more a case of constipation.

[Bill T.]

So, how is that constipated fish of yours getting on?
If you happen to live in the Melbourne region, and if nothing else is working, I have some little heard of "magic" that might just work (i.e. cure it or kill it!).

[Druz]

Hi Bill,

He's still the same as before. I've done a water change and given him another dose of epsom salts.

What do you mean by this "magic" thingy. Is this some type of medication?

Regards,

Druz

[G-1000]

Gday Druz,

Has your fish dropped any poo yet ?

What does it look like if so ?

G

[Druz]

Hi G1000,

He has done only a few drops. I've just come hom from work and he's now lost his balance. He's facing upwards. This seems serious.

Please help

[Bill T.]

Hey Druz.
What happened to that fish?

[Merrilyn]

Druz, I'm starting to think that this might be a tumor of some kind, that has grown so huge, it's blocking the intestine.

If this is the case, and the fish dies, then I suggest you freeze him and take him back to where you got him, for them to have a look. They will probably want to open him up.

If that's the case, then they sold the fish to you with the tumour already growing. It can hardly have developed in the week that you had him. I'd be inclined to ask for a replacement or refund.

Good luck.

[jim from sydney]

Druz.....i went to an ADA meeting once and someone had a similar problem.....experts thought it was because of a change in food that caused gaslock in its stomach......in your case it could well be the same as you only had it for a week or so and there would have been a change in food and eating habits.

the solution that was presented by this person at the meeting....believe it or not......take the fish in the palm of your hand and VERY gently sqeeze and massage its tummy a little to see in the bloating will reduce by moving the gas around and eventually the gas will be expelled......you may try it a few times.........do it gently.....keep the salt baths up it will help anyway.....it may not work for you but you can only try ......Jim.

[Druz]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly i like to say Thank You to LR, Jim and Bill.T who have helped in trying to save this lovely fella.

Jim....i did squeeze his stomach gently on the very last crucial moment of his life but i was so scared ans stopped when i witness blood coming out from his mouth.

He passed away the following day :(

Regards,

Druz

[Merrilyn]

Druz, so sorry to hear of the loss of your lovely discus.

Sometimes fish suffer from complaints that are well out of our range of treatment.

I know you did everything possible for him. Sadly it was probably some kind of incurable tumour. :(

[Bill T.]

Yeewwwwk! Blood coming out of it's mouth. Not a good sign at all!

I am amazed at how intense these little critters can make us feel, especially when one of them gets sick....or dies spewing blood from it's mouth....sounds more like a Clint Eastwood movie than a discus aquarium!

How are the rest of your fish getting on? Any similar signs?
Hopefully this was something like a tumor and the other fish will not be affected. (I reckon you should at least tell the lfs what happened. There might be a problem their supplier, especially if they have a number of similar complaints.)

If you do notice similar symptoms developing, I suggest taking quick action. Please do keep us posted.

[marg]

Druz,

Sorry to hear of your loss. It is heartbreaking when something like that happens. How are your other Fish?

I would be going and having a talk to your supplier - sounds to me like he was sick when you purchased him.

Worth a try anyway.

Regards,

Marg.

[jim from sydney]

Druz......you tried Pal.....mother nature plays tricks on us...often....she does this to test you out to see how strong you are and how much you care for the other fish......so buy yourself another little friend and love it as much....live does go on....you tried and believe me you have succeeded although you may not feel like it right now.......Jim.

[sammigold]

Druz, I am very sorry to hear about your discus... it sounds like you tried absolutely everything so I think you should be proud of yourself for trying so hard... It is so distressing when you dont know what is wrong. I really feel for you...