fanta_naranja 3 Posted April 12, 2018 (edited) * Ammonia Level(Tank) <.25 * Nitrite Level(Tank) 0 * Nitrate level(Tank) <5 * Ammonia Level(Tap) <.25 * Nitrite Level(Tap) 0 * Nitrate level(Tap) 0 * Ph Level, Tank (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines) pH 8.0, can run the other tests if requested * Ph Level, Tap (If possible, KH, GH and chloramines) pH 8.0, no chloramines here Other Required Info: * Brand of test-kit used and whether strips or drops? api drops * Water temperature? 75 * Tank size (how many gals.) and how long has it been running? Main tank is 90 gallons, 8 months old * What is the name and "size of the filter"(s)? Eheim Pro 4+ 600 * How often do you change the water and how much? 50% every 7 days * How many days ago was the last water change and how much did you change? yesterday, 50% * How many fish in the tank and their size? 2 Fish. A comet maybe 7 inches or more excluding the tail, and the Oranda maybe 4-5 inches. * What kind of water additives or conditioners? Prime and a cap of stability every WC * What do you feed your fish and how often? New Life Spectrum goldfish sinking pellets and Hikari purple bag with garlic guard. * Any new fish added to the tank? no * Any medications added to the tank? added prazi last week, and as symptoms worsened this week a medicated wonder shell and soaked food in metroplex because I suspected a gut infection. * List entire medication/treatment history for fish and tank. Followed instructions on the bottle * Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt," bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? Honestly he looks very healthy just not eating. It might be my overactive imagination but I'm worried his belly might be more bulbous than usual * Any unusual behavior like staying at the bottom, not eating, etc.? We have noticed the Oranda becoming weaker and more inactive over a few weeks. A lot of bottom sitting. Eating very little or refusing food and we haven't seen this fish defecate in a long long time. I think I saw it poop 2 weeks ago and it was the white and stringy type and very little of it. That's when I ordered the metroplex and I fed a few peas as well which he miraculously ate but I still havent seen him defecate.If he does show minor interest in food the Comet pushes him away and chases him around the tank. Normally the larger Comet harasses the Oranda a bit during and after feeding but not enough to make him give up and not get plenty of food. The bullying has picked up due to the showing of weakness I feel. For this reason I have set up a 10 gallon quarantine tank for the first time. (hope it's large enough). he's swimming around a little bit, however he's shown no interest in food, even garlic soaked bloodworms. It might be my imagination but his belly may be even more bulbous than usual and I imagine he really needs to have a bowel movement... Any ideas. edit: forgot to mention that I added 1tsp salt to the qt tank but other than that haven't medicated it since he didn't respond the the medications in the main tank. Edited April 12, 2018 by fanta_naranja 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arctic Mama 3,625 Posted April 12, 2018 How long/much metro did you give him? He does look slightly ‘tight’ through the belly. If you press on his stomach gentle is it firm like the tip of your nose or softer like your cheek? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanta_naranja 3 Posted April 12, 2018 (edited) The directions said mix a level measure metroplex with a tablespoon of wetted food. over the 2 or 3 days I tried feeding this he only swallowed a couple (New Life Spectrum) pellets that I hand fed him. As for his belly, it might be a little firm, but I don't really know where to poke or how hard to press without damaging him. The Comet is not giving me a good chance for comparison either... There is a solid ridge that visibly protrudes and starts just behind his dorsal fins and runs all the way to his anus. Is that normal? Edited April 12, 2018 by fanta_naranja 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanta_naranja 3 Posted April 12, 2018 Here are some pictures https://imgur.com/a/HJDuk 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanta_naranja 3 Posted April 12, 2018 Got a second opinion on his belly: it definitely feels abnormally stiff. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arctic Mama 3,625 Posted April 13, 2018 Let’s do the metro in the water of a hospital tank - two solid weeks of it, please, with the heat gradually raised to 80 degrees if she can handle it without gasping. Also add in the 1/2 a teaspoon of epsom salt and keep the water impeccably clean. Feed lightly, just a mouthful of pellets twice a day if she will eat. By about four days you should see some improvement if this is an infection caused by a gram positive bacteria OR parasitic (metro is good at both). If things still look the same with appetite and activity we may adjust treatment from there; but metro really needs to be run 10 days, minimum. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fanta_naranja 3 Posted April 13, 2018 Ok. Thank you very much. I have a question about the metroplex. It says 1 level measure per 10 gallons. Repeat every 2 days. What would a good WC/dosing schedule be then to keep the tank clean. I do have cycled media in the HOB on there. So should I add for example a full measure after a 50% WC every 2 days, or only a half measure, or a full measure with a 100% WC. At any rate I can keep epsom concentration at 1/2 tsp/10gal, and I assume I should maintain the salt concentration of 1tsp/10 gal as well? 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites