Hawaiian Trigger out of balance

[kouma]

This started about two months ago. I noticed that the trigger is always staying at the top corner of my tank. I didn't care because he was eating. However, a few weeks ago I noticed he is always hiding in the rocks and never out. He stopped eating as well. On few occasions I thought he was dead until I poked him and he started moving again.

Today I finally caught him and placed him in the sump. That is when I noticed he is out of balance, swimming upside down and in circles. He might have gas in his bladder or something.

Any suggestions?

 

[HumbleFish]

Is he swimming tail up or tail down?

 

[kouma]

I would say tail up. He is on his side most of the time, but when he swims it seems like his head is low while tail is up.

 

[HumbleFish]

I would say tail up. He is on his side most of the time, but when he swims it seems like his head is low while tail is up.

Yeah, that sounds like a swim bladder issue of some kind. If you can actually see a gas bubble protruding then you could lance the air out using a 30 gauge insulin syringe.

If no gas bubble is visible, then it could just be an infection. For that dose Metroplex in conjunction with Neoplex. (You can food soak this combination as well.)

There is also anecdotal evidence that a 30 minute Methylene Blue bath will <i>sometimes</i> help with certain swim bladder disorders.

All of the above are worth a shot, as the fish will most likely never recover on its own.

 

[kouma]

Yeah, that sounds like a swim bladder issue of some kind. If you can actually see a gas bubble protruding then you could lance the air out using a 30 gauge insulin syringe.

If no gas bubble is visible, then it could just be an infection. For that dose Metroplex in conjunction with Neoplex. (You can food soak this combination as well.)

There is also anecdotal evidence that a 30 minute Methylene Blue bath will <i>sometimes</i> help with certain swim bladder disorders.

All of the above are worth a shot, as the fish will most likely never recover on its own.

How do you lance air out, can you give more details?

 

[kouma]

going to buy Kordon Methylene Blue now to try it

 

[HumbleFish]

How do you lance air out, can you give more details?

http://www.reefedition.com/emergency-fish-operation-venting-swim-bladder/

 

[kouma]

Thank you HF. I noticed in that link that the fish had a bloated stomach. Mine doesn't, if anything its stomach is sucked in due to lack of food. Shall I still follow that procedure?

 

[HumbleFish]

Thank you HF. I noticed in that link that the fish had a bloated stomach. Mine doesn't, if anything its stomach is sucked in due to lack of food. Shall I still follow that procedure?

Don't attempt to lance unless you see bloating (in the swim bladder area), indicating there is a gas bubble present. That protrusion is your target to suck the air out.

I think your best bet is going to be food soaking Metroplex + Neoplex if he's still eating; or dosing the water with those two ABX if he's not.

There is some scant evidence that dosing Epsom salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) may help with a swim bladder issue, but I think it is a better remedy used for constipation (laxative). But not much to lose by trying, as Epsom salt is just mag sulfate.