9 Year Old False Percula near death?

[nanoposeiden]

I noticed tonight that Clyde, one of my two oldest fish in the FOWLR tank was doing flips, constantly trying to right himself. Bonnie the dominant female was nipping at him and his fins were getting hurt so I have removed him from the tank.

He's in a large vase currently as I am making some fresh saltwater to mix with tank water for him to have a safe place. I'll put in something for him to hide and some aeration.

Is there anything else I can do after he is in quarantine? From what I've read there's not much hope if it's a swim bladder issue. Would adding some stress coat help him calm down and stop his panic? It's hard to watch.

If anyone has any advice please let me know. :sad2:

Thanks,

nanoposeiden

 

[nanoposeiden]

Well I'm going to bed. He's in quarantine with 15G of new instant ocean with the same salinity as the main tank. There have been no new fish additions in years and the tank has had regular maintenance. The other fish seem to be fine so I'm guessing it's old age? I've seen reports online of Clownfish living up to 20 years in captivity, but I guess I can't feel too bad about 9 years. I'll update the thread in the morning.

Thanks,

nanoposeiden

 

[OrionN]

He will be dead tomorrow. Newly mixed water is deadly to fishes and other animals.

 

[Mo2]

He will be dead tomorrow. Newly mixed water is deadly to fishes and other animals.

While I'm not sure what's wrong, let's not be dramatic. Freshly mixed saltwater is NOT deadly to sealife. If he doesn't make it tmw, it won't because he's been moved to freshly prepared saltwater.

 

[nanoposeiden]

He's still alive and actually looking a little better this morning but is not able to eat. Still having to constantly fight to keep his orientation. The water was about 90% new and 10% from the main tank and I did acclimate him slowly before dumping him into the water. There is aeration from a air stone but no pumps. I covered the tank with a towel to reduce environmental stress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-gV5xRqzhc

 

[OrionN]

I am glad that he is alive.

 

[juniorrocketdad]

I think there is still hope, you might want to put one f those 4" pots in to reduce some stress

 

[OrionN]

He does not look well at all (the way he swim). Good luck

A long time ago, I killed my tank in such dramatic fashion with fresh mixed salt water that I only need to learn it once. May be it was something else in addition to the fresh mixed salt water.

 

[nemmy]

I've been dumping fresh mixed salt in my sump for water changes for years now. Don't even warm it up. Nobody do as I say, if I want to be wreckless that's on me. But I don't think I'd ever add livestock to fresh mixed salt alone. Had one brand of salt burn my hand berore.

 

[nanoposeiden]

Thanks for all the advice. Sorry I was in a bit of a rush this morning. I do plan on changing about 25% of the water from the main tank when I get home and every few days while he is in this tank with no mechanical filtration. I also have read that gerber green peas can help accelerate recovery from a swim bladder infection. Assuming I can get him to eat anything I will also be trying this. And I'll pick up one of those 4" clay pots on the way home from work today to provide him some shelter.

You guys are the best! I'll send more updates if anything changes.

Thanks for the support,

nanoposeiden

 

[GXPKY]

Fresh mixed saltwater can be problematic only because the salinity hasn't usually stabilized because it is not completely dissolved, as it dissolves the salinity will rise obviously. The large particles can suspend in the solution which is why the longer it is mixed the clearer it gets.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-P907A using Tapatalk

 

[nanoposeiden]

Clyde is still alive but has not shown any signs of improvement. I have noticed that one of his eyes is bulging out so I'm going to be going out to pick up some TC Tetracycline to treat his pop eye and any other potential bacterial infections that may be affecting the swim bladder. Unfortunately, there was an issue with the heater and his QT tank got to 90 degrees while I was at work yesterday. He was pretty lethargic but has regained his energy after cooling down the tank with a fan back to 82 degrees.

Thanks,

nanoposeiden

 

[ThRoewer]

Could also be Ichthyosporidium hoferi. Popeye and balance problems would fit.

 

[nanoposeiden]

It's been a few days since my last update. After 4 days / doses of TC Tetracycline, Clyde is swimming more naturally but still has issues with balance. I no longer see the pop-eye and he is a bit calmer swimming around the tank. He is able to eat some pellets with much effort but has shown no interest in the Gerber green peas. Perhaps I can soak them in garlic to get him interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f9cRE6sPKI