|
| |
| FAQs on the Flowerhorn Cichlid Disease
2 Related Articles: Flowerhorn
Cichlids, Cichlid Fishes,
Related FAQs:
Flowerhorn Disease 1,
Flowerhorns,
Flowerhorn Identification,
Flowerhorn Behavior,
Flowerhorn Compatibility,
Flowerhorn Selection,
Flowerhorn Systems,
Flowerhorn Feeding,
Flowerhorn Reproduction,
Cichlids,
Dwarf
South American Cichlids, African Cichlids,
Angelfishes, Discus,
Chromides, Neotropical
Cichlids,
|

|
Flowerhorn with Air Bladder Disease,
reading – 6/17/08
Hi,
I have a Flowerhorn that is about 6 years old.
He appears perfectly beautiful and healthy. He has developed air bladder
disease.
<... from what cause?>
He is not constipated. We noticed he was spending a lot of time sitting on the
bottom, but in the past few days he is swimming with his head
down. I have found that there are various opinions whether this is caused by a
bacteria or virus.
<Can be either, neither>
I do not know how to "dose" antibiotics or which ones to use. He is about 12"
long and in a 55 gal. tank.
<Needs more room than this>
We were planning on getting him a 75 gallon tank in a few weeks.
Can you tell me what antibiotics to use and in what quantities?
Thank you. J. Farmer
<I would read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/flowerhorndisfaq.htm
and the linked files above... Perhaps try Epsom Salt, improving water quality,
nutrition... Bob Fenner>
What happened to my FH? 5/6/08
Flowerhorn Going Through Tough Times
I've just done a complete clean up of my tank (taking out everything and
cleaning it). I put the FH in a small bucket. It was lying on its side in the
bucket but my brother says it's ok. When I put the FH back into the tank, it was
not active as before. It was just staying in one spot. I tried feeding it but it
did not eat. I felt that the water was too cold so I took some water out and
poured in hot water and installed a heater. I had a new Whisper filter
installed. I have a 50gallons tank and the Whisper can handle 60 gallons. My FH
is about 6 inches. I felt odd because it usually was really active so I used a
net to poke it and it moved around a bit. Then I picked it up out of the tank
with the net to take a closer look. When I put it back in, it suddenly moved
very fast and hit the tank 3 times (as if it bounced from one corner to the
other). Afterward, it would just stay still in a corner at the bottom of the
tank. A few hours later, I found it lying on its side with white stuffs all over
its body and his eyes also has the white stuffs. I thought it was dead so I
picked it up but then I notice it is still breathing. I believe it is internal
bacterial infection? I read somewhere to put salt in so I thought it is table
salt (didn't know it was Epsom salt). I drizzle some table salt into the tank. I
think it got worst. It is barely breathing now. Can it still be cure? Or should
I just kill it?
<Check the ammonia levels in the tank. When you cleaned the tank you probably
removed all the beneficial bacteria that breaks down very toxic ammonia to less
toxic nitrites and nitrates. I use to recommend Bio-Spira but it was
discontinued some time ago. Now I would recommend frequent water changes to keep
the ammonia levels under control. The water should be at 78-80 F. You will need
a thermometer. If you fish is being attacked by bacteria then I would recommend
using Nitrofurazone. This will impact the same bacteria you are trying to
culture but will cure your fish. After the cure is complete you will need to
watch for ammonia spikes or the same thing may happen all over again.-Chuck>
Fin rot dose or not? Pls help 5-1-08
Flowerhorn With Tail Rot and Bloat
Dear Sir/Madam,
Greeting of Peace! I would like to seek your advice because my
Flowerhorn is so sick. About 2 weeks ago I noticed that his fin is like
being eaten out. So I search the net and it said that the med to be
given is Tetracycline. So I bought the meds, and left it there for a
couple of days. When I came back last week his condition didn't improve.
So I bought Metronidazole. Together w/ the tetracycline, changed again
the water and cleaned the container. I have also noticed that his body
flexed only to one side and noticed a bulge in his stomach. I was
wondering what it is? I just thought that since he flexed at one side it
could be an effect. But noticed today that the bulge became bigger and
his anus seems inflamed (white in color). I tried to feed him today but
he doesn't have any appetite. Yesterday he ate and passed a stool, same
color and consistency. Please help me what to do. What proper medication
do I need to give? Thank you in advance.
Sincerely, Claire Philippines
< I have heard that Tetracycline only works well in very soft water. I
would recommend using Nitrofuranace for the fin rot. If it is severe
then I would cut off the infected area back to health fin tissue and
then treat the tank. The bloating sounds like an intestinal infection.
The Furanace will help if the problem is bacterial. If it is caused by a
protozoan then the Metronidazole should be used. I have used these in
combinations without any side effects. If you fish is eating then try
and feed him some medicated food with Metronidazole in it.-Chuck>
FH Fin rot dose or not? Pls help i
think my fish is dying 5-1-08
Dear Sir/Madam,
Greeting of Peace!
<And you>
I would like to seek your advice bec my Flowerhorn is so sick. 2 weeks
ago I noticed that his fin is like being eaten out. So I search the net
and it said that the med to be given is tetracycline.
<One possibility, yes>
so i bought the meds, and left it there for a couple of days. when i
came back last week his condition didn't improve. so i bought
Metronidazole together w/ the tetracycline.
<Mmmm>
change again the water and clean the container. i have also noticed that
his body flexed only to one side and noticed a bulge in his stomach. i
was wondering what it is, i just thought that since he flexed at one
side it could be an effect. But noticed today that the bulge became
bigger and his anus seems inflamed (white in color). i try to feed him
today but he doesn't have any appetite. yesterday he eat and passed
stool, same color and consistency.
Please help me what to do. What proper medication i need to give? thank
you in advance.
Sincerely,
Claire
Philippines
<Need information your system, water quality, history of care... Please
read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/flowerhorndisfaq.htm
and the linked files above... to gain a greater understanding of the
sorts of data we're looking for, review others experiences. Bob Fenner> |
Sick Flowerhorn, no data...
reading 4/20/08
Hi to everyone,
<Cora>
As you can see from the picture below, my flower horn has something red sticking
out of his anus. He is also not eating well and doesn't seem to be happy. What
could be wrong with him.
<No pic enclosed or attached>
I've searched the internet for an answer but found none. Please help me.
Thank you very much.
Thanks again,
Cora
<Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/flowerhorndisfaq.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Cora
Re: sick Flowerhorn. Pix, but
still no data, using WWM – 04/21/08
Hi everyone,
<Cora>
I'm sending this again with the pictures attached and not pasted as I
did before. I hope I did it right this time.
<Yes>
My flower horn has something red sticking out of his anus (as shown in
the pictures attached). He is also not eating well and doesn't seem to
be happy. What could be wrong with him.
<... need information... as per where you were referred prev.... Re the
system, foods/feeding, water tests...>
I've searched the internet for an answer but found none. Please help me.
I'm desperate as to what to do with him.
Thank you very much.
Thanks again,
Cora
<Please read again re FH hlth. on WWM for examples of the type of info.
we're looking for. Bob Fenner> |
|
 |
Help With My Flower Horn Fish
Sick Flowerhorns – 03/08/08
Dear WWM: I purchased a FH about 1.5 years ago. He was a very happy and
attentive fish until 4 days ago. Now, he is non-responsive and he is not eating
at all. He is just starting to turn black at his tail. The FH is in a 75 gallon
tank with 6 other African Cichlids. The FH is about 7" long and has a nice red
and black coat, with red eyes. This is why we named him "Red Eye". My husband
and I love him dearly.
We are planning on transferring him to a 10 gallon take so he can heal. We
changed the water on 3/5/08 and took a sample of the water to a local pet store.
The attendant at the pet store said, the water is good. Now what should we do? I
am not sure if it is fungal or bacteria? Is Metronidazole the savior for my FH?
Please advise, thanks. Desperate Ms"J"
< Turn the water temp up to 82 F in the 10 gallon. Offer him his favorite food
for 5 minutes. If he does not eat then he may have an internal infection. Treat
with a combination of Metronidazole and Nitrofurazone every other day with a 50%
water change in between the days you don't medicate. After 6 days offer some
food again and see if he responds. He should be pretty hungry by then.-Chuck>
Very sick Flowerhorn, reading
2/11/08
hello,
My flower horn is very sick right now and I have no idea how to make it better.
Two days ago, it was fine. Then suddenly, it started to swim on its side. My
fish was living in a 10 gallon tank whose filter was busted about a month prior.
<... needs more room than this>
I tried doing 50% change every 3 or so days. It got sick so suddenly that I'm
not sure what contributed to it.
My fish got sick on Friday evening. I immediately put it in a bigger tank, 150
gallons of water but it does not seem to be better.
<Residual damage...>
It did not move or when it did, it was swimming on its side. I changed 50% water
of the small tank, put in some erythromycin with some aquarium salt. I then put
it back into the small tank to soak up the medicine for about 2 hours. My dad
then put it back to the big tank and tried to make it exercise to help with the
breathing. It was more lively afterward but still swims abnormally. The next
evening, I noticed that my fish seemed to have problem swimming downward since
it keeps being buoy upward upside down. I'm afraid that it may have bladder
disease or something similar. Its stomach has not enlarged. Its eyes somewhat
protrude. Then this morning, my Flowerhorn seems to have problem straighten its
body out. Its body keeps on bending like a half moon and it swims on its side
more. Since Friday, I've been feeding it anti-biotic food
from Jungles. It ate some of the food, not a lot though. Also, the anti-biotic
food have been about a year old, Is it still safe to feed it with it?
<Yes... though likely has little food value or antibiotic activity>
I've been having problem finding a pet store near where I live. I'm trying to
buy furan, tetracycline, etc. Please help!!! I have some Epsom salt but I don't
know if I should put some in.
In short, my fish is now in a 150 gallon tank, being fed with at-least-year-old
anti-biotic food. Please help!
Thanks
<... Please... read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/FHDisF2.htm
and the linked files above. Bob Fenner>
Re: very sick Flowerhorn Urgent Help
Needed!! Metronidazole/Flagyl f' warning... 2-12-08
Hi,
Today is the 4th day that my Flowerhorn exhibits weird behavior. I tried
treating it with anti-biotic as directed. However, I only have
tetracycline and general cure with 125mg of Metronidazole.
<This is fine>
The fist store I went to buy the medicine told me that tetracycline is
even better than furan.
<Mmm... not in most cases like this, no>
So this is basically what I did today; I changed 25% water (I changed
50% yesterday), I put in both tetracycline (3 pills) and General Cure (1
pill) in the tank (dissolve 4 pills in a 40 gallon tank). I put in about
4 spoons of Epsom salt in the tank. I also mixed a bit of tetracycline
and General Cure pill with metr. into a liquid solution. Using a
syringe, I force-fed the liquid solution into my FH, about 1 1/2 syringe
of medicine.
<I would not force feed this fish this material>
I also soaked some pellets in General Cure with Metr. but haven't feed
it. I also notice that my FH's stomach is noticeably distended. It just
floats on top of the tank now. It is so much less active than yesterday.
I hope I did not make things worse. Please let me know if tetracycline
is good to use. If not, I'll try to find Furan tomorrow. Please let me
know if what I've been doing is good for it.
Thanks
<If you do find a Furan compound, do a series (like three days) of water
changes to dilute the Tetracycline... ahead of application. I would NOT
continue the use of Metronidazole... this continuous exposure can/will
the kidneys of your fish. Bob Fenner>
Re: very sick Flowerhorn Urgent Help Needed!!
2/13/08
thank you for your reply,
I'm still very confused now. If you don't mind, can you detail the steps for me?
My fish have been force-fed
<... should not be force fed period>
tetracycline for 2 days straight now. I've fed the pellets with Metronidazole
once but it spit the pellets right out.
<... Please read on WWM re FW antibiotic use:
http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwantibiofaqs.htm
The medicine I now have is tetracycline, general cure (with 125mg of
Metronidazole), and Furan. So far, my fish have been exposed to tetracycline the
most. I also put in Epsom salt whenever I change the water. I have yet to see
any improvement but the fish store told me that it would take up to 2 weeks to
see any changes.
Please itemize the steps for me.
Thanks
<Please read. Don't write... READ. B> |
My Flowerhorn hit the tank.
2/4/08
Dear Sir,
<Sophie>
Ten days ago, Thursday Jan 24, 07, my Flowerhorn (around 30cm long) hit his
50-gallon tank
<Needs more room than this>
with his mouth when seeing me stand by another tank closer to his (he usually
does that when seeing us come back home or pass by his tank). But this time, he
hit so hard that he fell upside down right away within a second after hitting
the tank and could not swim anymore. He cannot control his swimming and let
himself float upside down at the top of the water.
<Yikes, bad>
I then put him in a smaller tank (20-gallon) in order to keep him stay upright.
He was floating upside down at the top of water for few days then lying flat
(also at the top of water) for few more days, and by doing so, his left side was
exposed to the air and getting dry. And now, after a week, he is sinking and
lying flat on his right side at the bottom, exposing his left side. Also, I just
realized today there is white cloud in the center of his right eye while his
left eye looks normal and clear. I don't know when this happened and just guess
it is because his right eye has touched the bottom for a while, but not sure if
it is the reason. So, today I use a bottle full of water to hold him upright. Is
it ok to do so?
<We'll see>
He has not eaten anything since he hit the tank, although I tried a couple of
times feeding him directly to his mouth with pellets ground then soaking in
water to make it soft, but he threw out everything. What medication should I
give him?
<Perhaps a little salt in the water... as a general cathartic>
I feel very bad for not knowing what to do or what kind of treatment to follow
to keep him alive. He has been with us for 3 years and I don't want to lose him.
Please help. I really appreciate your great knowledge about Flowerhorn. I could
cure another smaller Flowerhorn with bloating/dropsy problem thanks to the
Questions & Answers from your website.
<Am glad it was useful>
I forgot to tell you that during few hours after hitting the tank, he produced
lots of stools with normal dark brown/red colour (like colour of pellet food).
Few days later, stools are lighter in colour. Also, few days after he hit the
tank, I tried to help him walk around the tank because I was afraid that he
would be paralyzed if not swimming. But now I realized from your web site that I
should not hold him and can make him sick for doing so.
Please help, Sir, I don't know what to do without your advice. Should I treat
him with Maracyn-2 or something else? I feel very uncomfortable for not doing
anything to save him. I change water twice a week.
Best Regards,
Sophie
<Mmm... I do hope your cichlid recovers. The neural damage it did itself... is
not really "treat-able" other than being patient; hoping for self-cure. Bob
Fenner>
Pls help, asap, my Flowerhorn
is sick! 1/29/08
Dear Sir,
Greeting of Peace!
<Hello,>
I would like to seek your advice what will I do w/ my Flowerhorn. This started
when I bought an XO product for color enhancement (ever red) w/c is the usual
brand we buy. Unfortunately, when I bought this last wednesday(01/23/08) I ask
the saleslady what is the expiration date because I can't see it on the label.
But when she look at the product there is no exp date on the can, so she said
that the product just arrived last week. So, I bought it anyway even w/o exp
date.
<Doesn't sound promising.>
I started to feed him w/ these last thu but after a few days, I've noticed that
my fish seems in active, he didn't even consumed the one I fed him last night .
Until this morning, I saw him upside down and can't even move.
<Oh.>
So I transfer him to smaller container but when I came home this afternoon his
lying flat on the floor of the aquarium.
<Why to another tank? How big is this "smaller container"? Does it have a mature
filter?>
I noticed on the water that there are fragments of dead skin or I just don't know
how u call it but the appearance is white. I also noticed his right eye that
there is a white spot on the center.
<All sounds like a bacterial infection, such as Finrot or something similar.
Treat with an antibiotic or antibacterial. Regardless, almost always connected
with either physical damage (e.g., rough handling) and/or poor water quality.
You need to check out the ammonia/nitrite level immediately. The damage to the
eye makes me also think the fish was carelessly handled, perhaps with a net, or
maybe damaged by another fish in the aquarium. Lots of things can cause these
symptoms. Tell me about the aquarium, its size, what other fish are in there.>
He can't move unless you lift him up and let him sink that is the time he will
try to swim.
<Stop touching your fish. It's bad for them. Every time you hold a fish you
remove mucous, and that lets bacteria get into the skin.>
What shall I do and is this because of the food?? Is he poisoned??
<Possibly either of these, but without knowing more about the size of the tank,
the filter you use, what the pH and nitrite levels are in the aquarium, I cannot
say anything helpful.>
PLS HELP...
Thank you once again and hoping for your immediate response.
Sincerely,
Claire
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Pls help, asap, my
Flowerhorn is sick! -01/30/08
Hi Sir, The tank is between 30-50 gallons. It has no rocks, sand or
ornaments. He's the only one on the tank. I usually change the water once a
month and within this month I have changed 50% water after 2 weeks. I changed
the water last Jan 20 and again this evening. I gave him Flagyl 500mg and now he
seems a little livelier compared yesterday, but most of the time flat on the
bottom of the tank. Sir, how can I check for ammonia/nitrate levels? I haven't
tried it yet.
< There are many reliable test kits available from retailers online. The ammonia
and nitrite levels should be zero nearly all the time. The nitrates should be
under 20 ppm.>
I usually don't do netting that often unless I change 100% water w/c is once a
month. What I observed is that when he sleeps he loves to stuck his face on the
side of filter machine. I have two filter machine but I use the other one to
keep water flowing or moving. His color didn't change and his stool is just the
same. I tried to feed him but he keeps on spitting it. I rarely touch him
either, it's just that I'm so worried to what had happened to him right now.
Thank you also for the information about that, quite not aware of it. This
morning his right eye is clear but this evening I noticed the spot again. Sir,
how long will I treat him w/ antibiotics and do I have to change the water every
time I give him the meds? How frequent and how often? Thank you again and more
power! You're really a great help.
Sincerely, Claire
< First lets fix the tank problems. Get the kits and check the water quality.
Keep the water parameters as suggested above. Check the water temp, it should be
around 80 F all the time. If the fish is still not acting normal, lying on the
bottom and not eating. It could suggest that there is an internal infection that
is blocking the internal organs. The Flagyl was a good choice but if the fish is
continuously stressed then it will continue to get reinfected and never seem to
be cured. Eventually the medications will become less and less effective and you
won't be able to save your fish. Get the tank right then treat with a
combination of Metronidazole( Flagyl) and Nitrofuranace as per the directions on
the package.-Chuck>
Sick Flowerhorn Fish -
1/17/08
Hi,
<Hello,>
My Flowerhorn fish has been laying at the bottom of the tank for about two weeks
now and it doesn't eat either.
<Not good. How big is the tank? What is the water chemistry/quality? Almost
always with cichlids that lose their appetite the problem is quite serious and
often related to the environment in some way.>
We have another Flowerhorn fish in the tank separated by a divider and it is
okay and fine.
<For now, anyway.>
The sick one just lays there it doesn't swim and if it does swim when I try to
touch or move it, it swims in vertical circles or with the head facing down and
settles back down in a lying position, I don't see anything wrong with the
outside of the fish.
<Need more info. For example: what does the fish eat? What plant material does
it get in its diet? Have you ever used live feeder fish? How big/old is the
fish? What about the water? Apart from the obvious need for zero ammonia and
nitrite, cichlids are ALL sensitive to nitrate, so big water changes help
enormously.>
We tried changing the water and added some salt.
<Well, they don't need salt, but like any other Central American cichlid they do
need water with a moderately high carbonate hardness (that's the KH test kit)
and plain old aquarium salt won't do anything to help with hardness. Instead,
I'd recommend using Malawi Salt mix (either purchased or home made) at a 25-50%
dose to get pH 7.5-8, carbonate hardness 5-15 degrees KH.>
Please help I don't know what to do and I don't want it to die.
<No-one wants their fish to die! Except maybe fishermen. Do get back to me with
some additional information, and we'll try to help.>
Thanks,
Mic
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: Sick Flowerhorn Fish (RMF, please
comment on last bit if necessary) -
1/17/08
Hi Neale, thanks for a quick response.
<Mic,>
Here is some more info maybe it'll help.
<Can't hurt!>
Fish tank is 55 gallons and divide for two Flowerhorn fish, it has Pentair
filtration system (Mechanical, Chemical ,Heater, UV and Fluidized bed) on both
side. Fish have been with us since they were baby it's almost a year old and
about 6? now.
<All sounds good.>
I never feed it with live fish they have been feed with Jumbo Head Food for
about 6 month.
<Good. I only asked because many people keeping cichlids do feed them Goldfish,
and the results are, unfortunately, not good.>
I did the water test Nitrate 0.5; Ammonia 0.001; pH 6.8 and temperature is at 82
deg. but I think the water quality is good.
<Right. Here's one possible problem. There is no "good" level of ammonia, and
I'd be interested what your nitrite level is (as opposed to nitrate). I'm a bit
dubious about a "0.001 mg/l" reading with a hobby-grade ammonia test kit. If you
can detect ammonia or nitrite, this tends to mean the water isn't clean. Either
you're overfeeding, or else your filter isn't working as it should. Since your
filter systems sounds pretty good, I'd perhaps check that it isn't blocked in
some way, or that the water is flowing through things in the right order.
Another problem is the pH: this is far too low. Flowerhorn cichlids are hybrids,
yes, but they're basically Central Americans, and that means they prefer hard,
alkaline water. You need to raise the carbonate hardness I'm sure. Do this, and
you'll find the pH goes up to 7.5, which is healthy. Do remember changing the pH
by itself is NOT ENOUGH! You need to concentrate on the carbonate hardness. I'd
start by making some Malawi salt mix. To make Malawi water per 5 gallons/20
litres the following is one recipe that works well.
* 1 teaspoon baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
* 1 tablespoon Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
* 1 teaspoon marine salt mix (sodium chloride + trace elements)
You likely won't a full dose for your Flowerhorns, so I'd start by mixing one
bucket of Malawi water to every three buckets of plain tap water and see how
that goes. If the KH is still too low (less than 5 degrees KH) I'd go with one
bucket of Malawi water to one bucket of tap water. Remember not to make massive
changes in water chemistry all at once. Space them out across a week, doing one
smallish water changes (say, 10-25%) per day.>
I do a gravel clean and water change from 1/3-1/2 every month.
<Another problem. Cleaning gravel is fine, but the water change is too little.
Should be at least 25% per week, and I'd recommend 50% per week for any cichlid
aquarium because of their hyper-sensitivity to nitrate.>
I've read some of the articles on the website, about the Flowerhorn swimming
upside down or lays on the bottom and inactive like my fish, but I'm confused on
how to treat it.
<The problem with these symptoms is they can be associated with many different
things: constipation, ammonia poisoning, Hole-in-the-Head, swim bladder
infections, and so on.>
I don't know I've read something with metracyn2, tetracycline, nitro furnace, or
Metronidazole, or furan 3, I'm confused, I don't want to treat it wrong. Please
further advice.
<I'm not experienced with any of these medications, so hesitate to advise. I'd
initially try to eliminate water quality/chemistry issues and dietary issues
(i.e., constipation, by feeding high-fibre foods such as peas). There are "swim
bladder infection" medicines on the market, and these would be my next port of
call (for example: Interpet Swim Bladder Treatment #13 and Maracyn-Two). If
these didn't help, then I'd personally seek help from a vet before randomly
administering antibiotics.>
Thank you,
Mic
<Cheers, Neale.> <<I am in total agreement. RMF>>
My Flowerhorn
has a prolapsed anus, please help!
1/7/08
Hi WWW Crew,
<Hello,>
Your web site is so great and informative. Now, I really need your help
to save my FH. He has a prolapsed anus (see the attachment) hanging
there about 3 weeks and there some dead white tissues come out sometime.
He doesn't eat much and not happy as he was. I tried to clean it with
Epsom salt solution, but not improved. Please tell me what to do with
it. What medicine should I use to help him to pull his prolapsed anus
back inside his body as normal.
Is it ok if I cut it off from him??? I am looking forward for your help.
Please answer me ASAP. Attached is his pix. Your time is my
appreciation.
Thank you very much,
Tony
<Hmm... the problem with this condition is that it isn't caused by any
one thing, and it isn't easy to cure. The most important thing to do is
identify the possible causes and reverse them. For a start, what are you
feeding your Flowerhorn? Like virtually all other cichlids, these fish
are omnivores and need a balanced diet that includes at least some plant
material and algae. Tinned peas, cooked spinach, and Sushi Nori, as well
as algae wafers, all work well. Just as with humans, a lack of green
food can create constipation, and over long periods this makes the gut
of the fish more sensitive to bacterial or protozoal infections.
Ultimately, it's the "bloom" of micro-organisms in the bowel that causes
the anus to become exposed in this way. Anything that increases the
chances of bacterial or protozoal infections -- such as poor water
quality or the use of "feeder fish" -- can trigger the problem. So, the
three things to check are as follows: [1] How much green food does your
fish get? Regardless of what it wants to eat, only feed green foods from
now on until the fish gets better. The fibre will help the muscles of
the bowel get back to normal. Soft foods (like shelled prawns) and dried
foods (like pellets) must be avoided at all costs. Never, ever use
feeder fish or unclean live foods like Tubifex. Brine shrimp and Daphnia
are also "high in fibre" and can be used, though I suspect your fish is
too big to eat them. Oh, and if your Flowerhorn ignores the tinned peas
and spinach, don't worry! Starving this fish for a couple of weeks will
get him hungry again, and will do NO HARM at all! [2] What's the water
quality like? Cichlids are notoriously sensitive to dissolved
metabolites, including nitrate. 50% water changes each week, minimum,
are important. A big Flowerhorn needs a big tank, and you're going to
have a hard job keeping it healthy in anything less than 200 l/50
gallons. [3] Keep using the Epsom salt treatment, adding it to each new
batch of water during water changes. Understand that this may take
weeks, even months, to get better, and during that time you must keep
water quality 100% perfect and the diet as rich in fibre as possible.
Hope this helps, Neale.>
Re: My Flowerhorn has a prolapsed
anus, please help!
1/7/08
Hi Neale,
Thank you very much for your quick reply.
<You're welcome.>
Actually, this fish got an internal infection with stringy white feces
which caused his anus prolapsed I think.
<Quite possibly a protozoan infection, as I said; something like
Hexamita, which will require a very specific treatment. In the UK, we'd
use something like eSHa Hexamita.>
I treated him with mediated food and his feces is normal color now.
<Good.>
However, his prolapsed anus is still there.
<Does take a while to go back; fibrous foods will help.>
I keep very good water quality and all
parameters are fine by changing 1/4 water in the tank twice a week.
<Good.>
He doesn't eat tinned green peas at all, but bloodworms.
<Bloodworms are very soft and not good for this. Try Daphnia or Brine
shrimp, but honestly peas are the best. If a cichlid is starved for a
while, it will usually devour peas!>
As you advice, I am going stop feeding him for couple days. I just worry
that he'll be ok with his prolapsed anus that's hanging there for a long
time.
<Can be a site of secondary infection, so is something "not good".>
Will it get back
inside his body soon?
<Not soon, no. Takes time to heal.>
Thanks
<Cheers, Neale.>
Re: My Flowerhorn has a
prolapsed anus, please help! - UPDATED 1-11-2008
Hi Neale:
<Hello Tony,>
How are you doing? Thank you very much for your helpful information. As you
know, my FH got a prolapsed anus. I let him sits in a 20G hospital tank with
Epsom salt for a month already but his prolapsed anus gets worse and worse.
I do not want to see the fish dies by this problem. So, I went to the LFS and
asked for a medicine. The vet gave me a small bottle of Biofuran and instructed
me how to use it. I stopped feeding him and treated him with Biofuran. After
three days, the fish's prolapsed anus is retracted inside his body completely,
but he got another problem. His body looks thin, his face is gaunt, and his eyes
are hollow. He's been hanging to the water surface in 60 degree position versus
the tank bottom during the treatment.
So I took him out of the hospital tank and put him back to his clean tank last
evening. This morning, I gave him his favorite food, but he ignored and still
hanging to the surface in that position. Please tell me what wrong with him and
what I need to do to save the fish. I don't want to lose him.
Please help me. Thanks a lot
Tony
<Well, at least you've fixed one problem! Some fish medications are pretty nasty
chemicals, and stress the fish only marginally less than they are toxic to the
pathogen. Copper- and formalin-based medicines are the classic examples. So
let's assume this fish is feeling shaky and unhappy. The Biofuran drug is not
one I am familiar with so I can't offer any expert help here. What I would
suggest is that you do everything possible to optimise conditions, so that the
fish settles down. For a start, I'd not keep him with any aggressive tankmates;
quite possibly the quarantine tank is the best place for him. I'd also ensure
the water is well filtered and well oxygenated. I'd do 50% water changes per day
for the next few days, so that the fish feels "fresh". I'd add some floating
plants (plastic or real) to the tank to produce shade, and I'd install a flower
pot or similar as a hiding place. I'd keep the tank dark and away from anything
noisy. I'd then offer the fish small live foods, such as earthworms or river
shrimps. Don't keep adding food... if he doesn't eat in the morning, leave him
for 6 hours before trying again, so he doesn't keep getting disturbed.
Basically, do everything you can to make the fish feel he is in heaven! It is
possible you fixed the problem slightly too late... but that said I've rescued
fish "starved" fish successfully. If the fish really gets thin, say after a week
of still not eating, then force feeding may be an option. This is difficult to
do, and it is very easy to damage the fish in the process, so is not something
to undertake casually. But it can make the difference between life and death...
so if you must force-feed the fish, get back in touch and I'll explain what to
do. Good luck, Neale.>
|
|
 |
|
Flowerhorn w/ "second
head" 11/28/07
Hi, I noticed a few minutes ago that my Flowerhorn was growing a
"second head". It looks really weird so I thought I should ask to see if
there is anything wrong with him. Sorry I couldn't get a clearer
picture. He was moving around too much (that fish is way too camera
shy).
<Greetings. It's not a second head. But it does look like some sort of
growth, certainly. Assuming it isn't an obvious blister or wound (I
can't tell from your photo) it is likely genetic. There's nothing you
can do about it. Because Flowerhorn Cichlids are hybrids, their
development is unpredictable at the best of times. Inbreeding was part
of creating this hybrid, and this makes it easier for "bad genes" to
stay in the Flowerhorn gene pool than would be the case with a proper
cichlid species. At the height of the Flowerhorn fad a few years ago
unscrupulous breeders were cranking out Flowerhorns with little regard
for quality, and this has meant that nowadays Flowerhorns generally are
plagued with developmental problems like bent fins, crooked spines, and
I dare-say lumps and bumps of precisely the type you're seeing here.
Provided their is no sign of a secondary infection, simply leave things
be and enjoy your fish for what it is. Just don't breed from it. Cheers,
Neale.> |
|
 |
Help... Flowerhorn hlth.
11/06/07
Good day! Thank you for continually helping hobbyist. I tried other fish
websites but they do not seem to know anything. I feel like my FH is dying and
they still want me to monitor and observe. Here are the things that I have
noticed.
1. Continual flashing and scratching.
2. Body, pelvic fins, and dorsal fins twitching.
3. Stays at the bottom or near surface with clamped fins. (Sometimes, using only
1 pectoral fin)
4. Lethargic.
5. Body slime is visible on the body.
6. Gills are like hidden inside its gill plates and gill appears to be pale. (He
does not appear to have rapid breathing. Slow and shallow breathing actually.)
7. Losing equilibrium.
I also noticed that he began to have small holes in his head. A secondary
disease because he is not eating anymore, I guess. Is it bacterial or parasite?
My guess is gill fluke so I went to a pet shop in New Zealand but they do not
have fluke tabs. I was told by "apparently a fish doctor" that he's not sure
what it is because fishes are hard to diagnose and that he told me that my best
bet would be Furan 2. I want to know what you guys would suggest before I
medicate my fish. By the way, he recently had Finrot so I gave him erythromycin,
then he had this disease subsequently. Thanks again and again. Please save my
fish from his imminent demise.
Take care!!!
Nina
<Nina, your fish sounds as if it has the symptoms of Hexamita and/or
Hole-in-the-Head (these may be one and the same disease). It is very common
among cichlids, and seems to be related to water quality and diet issues. The
classic set of causes are a tank with high levels of nitrate caused by
overstocking and infrequent water changes, plus a monotonous diet, in particular
lacking in greens (vitamins!). Some aquarists have also implicated things as
varied as electrical fields and the dust from activated carbon. Regardless, it's
difficult to treat without recourse to a (normally) prescription drug called
Metronidazole. (See here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/metranidazole.htm .)
Nothing much else works. Ideally, it's fed directly to the fish. During
treatment, make sure you remove the carbon from the filter (if you're using it)
and make sure you optimise water quality. Once the fish is better, pay close
attention to water quality and diet. Think: big tank, lots of water changes, no
live feeder fish, and a balanced, varied diet with plenty of greens. Cheers,
Neale>
Flowerhorn Cichlid Bloated 07/27/07
Hi crew. I have a sick flower horn. For the past 5 days he has been bent and
on his side, sometimes with his belly up lying listful at the bottom of the
tank. He has gone of his food and can hardly move. I have done a 25% water
change, cleaned filters, vacuumed and cleaned the gravel. I checked pH levels
they are perfect. Put some stuff in, can't think of the name of the top of my
head but it turns the tank green. Still no improvement, if not worse. He has
just recently change his colour and is now black. I have asked every one
possible for help even to the expense of going to my vet and he was no help. Any
advice you could give would be great. It would devastate me if I lost this fish
as he is 30 cm.s and just a beauty. My kids love him, he is a much loved fish.
Please can any one help me I will try anything.
< You are off to a good start. I would recommend a 50% water change and treat
with Metronidazole and Nitrofuranace. treat with both medications on day 1,3,and
5 as per the directions on the packages. On day 2 and on day 4 do 50% water
changes. when you fish starts to eat then he is on the road to recovery. You may
have waited too long. To treat successfully you usually need to medicate the
fish right away. Good luck.-Chuck>
Flowerhorn disease –
10/24/07
Dear Mr. Fenner,
<Not Mr. Fenner. Have to make do with me, Neale!>
Greetings of Peace!
<Likewise.>
Good day sir, first of all I would like to inform you that I've search the web
looking for a vet for fish. But I've search nothing, so it came up to me to
search for a disease in a Flowerhorn and that is where I've found your site. I
tried to register for the forum but there was an error from the site so I went
to the homepage and it was written there that we can ask you for a question.
<OK. What's the problem with your fish?>Sir, this is regarding the situation of
my 2 1/2 yr old Flowerhorn which I've noticed that his eyes popped or bulged.
Its 3 days from now that his eyes pop, at first it was only his right eye but
yesterday I've noticed that his left eye also popped.
<This is called "Pop-eye" and is (usually) a symptom of poor/wrong environmental
conditions. In other words: too small an aquarium; not enough water changes;
insufficient filtration; wrong water chemistry, etc. It is basically a secondary
(opportunistic) bacterial infection. Think of it as "finrot for the eyes" and
you have a good idea of what Pop-eye is all about. So when you see Pop-eye, as
well as treating the symptoms, you have to figure out what made it happen in the
first place.>
For the whole day he didn't eat and his eyes slightly became white and there was
this scaly or flake around his left eye. 1 or 2 wks ago I've also noticed flakes
all over his body but it disappeared after 2 days. aside from that his color is
normal but i didn't noticed he passed a stool for the whole day.
<Hmm... this is all sounding like a systemic bacterial infection. Or, put
simply, your fish is suffering from bacteria all across his body. Again, this is
*almost* always a result of environmental problems rather than a "germ" that
somehow crept into the aquarium while you weren't looking!>
I'm thinking that he had kidney disease like a human who had a symptom of edema
around the eyes. or a person who have hyperthyroidism who experienced
"Exophthalmus".
<Exophthalmus is a symptom, not a disease. Exophthalmus is therefore like chest
pains, or a runny nose, or a fever. It can mean many things. In fish,
Exophthalmus is called "Pop-eye" but they are exactly same thing.>
I've read some of the FAQ and I went to buy a Metronidazole and Nitrofurazone,
but the Nitrofurazone is in the form of topical/ointment. Can I use a topical?
<No. You need a medication like Maracyn 2, which contains 10 mg Minocycline per
tablet. The dosage is about 10 mg per 10 US gallons/38 litres of water. Other
antibiotics might work, but Maracyn 2 / Minocycline is generally quoted as being
the most reliable.>I have put tsp of rock salt/5 gal. and the water was changed
last Sunday and i placed him in a 30 gal tank.<Salt won't make much difference,
especially not a mere teaspoon per 5 gallons. Much more important you optimise
water chemistry. Specifically, these fish need fairly high general hardness and
carbonate hardness, plus an alkaline pH. I'd be looking at 15+ degrees dH, 10+
degrees KH, and pH 7.5-8.0. Rock/table/aquarium salt won't have any effect here.
Crushed coral in the filter is much more useful. These are Central American
cichlids, and do need to be given stable, hardwater conditions to thrive.>
Sir please help me how to treat his condition and what actions do I have to take
so that his condition will not aggravate. Can I use the Metronidazole and
topical Nitrofurazone?
<Metronidazole may well work; topical Nitrofurazone probably not. The bacterial
infection is inside the fish, so putting it on the outside won't help much.>I'll
be leaving for the province this Friday, do I have to keep his light on and can
I give the antibiotic for 3 days?
<Use the medications as instructed on the package or by your vet. As a rule, do
a big water change first (say, 50%) and then add the medication and leave for a
few (three or four) days before doing another 50% water change. Make sure you
remove carbon from the filter. Thereafter, take special care the water is
spotlessly clean for the next few months: otherwise the eye will not heal! Zero
ammonia, zero nitrite, and nitrate no more than 20 mg/l. You can leave the
lights off while the fish are feeling sick; this does tend to help them feel
more mellow.>Thank you very much and hoping for your immediate response... More
power to your company! Respectfully, Claire<Good luck, Neale>
Re: Flowerhorn disease – 10/24/07
Dear Mr. Neale, Good Day! Thank you very much for responding quickly and
I'll follow your advice. Sir, I have another question, if I have the Maracyn 2
at hand, do I still have to use the Metronidazole? Again, thank you very much
and more power to all of you!Respectfully,Claire<Hello Claire. No, just use the
Maracyn 2 by itself, and see how things go. Best not to mix medications unless
you know it is safe or are following advice from a vet or doctor. Good luck,
Neale.>
Re: Flowerhorn disease –
10/24/07
Hi there once again sir. Thank you so much...
More power to all of you!
Respectfully,
Claire
<No problem. Good luck, Neale.>
In need of help... My FH is
constipated – 10/18/07
Hello guys! My FH is constipated, he still poops but very little and rarely.
<Let's rewind a little. What are the environmental conditions, and what are you
feeding the fish? Flowerhorn cichlids, like virtually all cichlids, are
omnivores. That means that green foods are just as important to their condition
as meaty foods. In other words, they need fibre. Tinned peas, fresh algae, Sushi
Nori, spinach, blanched lettuce etc are all good. Sure, they prefer meaty foods,
but then most humans prefer the steak on their plate despite the fact it's the
vegetables that are essential to good health. Sometimes you have to starve your
fish for a day or two to get it to eat green foods. But tinned peas though
usually work straight away, as most cichlids seem to like them. Once you have
green foods as a regular part of a fish's weekly diet, constipation as good as
never happens.>
I started not feeding him today because I'm afraid he is beginning to bloat.
<Bloating is extremely serious in cichlids, and disturbingly common. Lack of
greens and the wrong water chemistry are two factors widely considered to be
critical.>
I read from your site that I should put Epsom salt so I went to the pet shop,
but instead, they gave me marine salt mix and told me it was the same.
<It's not; marine salt mix is largely Sodium chloride. Take it back. They took
advantage of you. Marine salt mix is absolutely not the same thing. It's like
saying Salt and Sugar are the same because they're both white powders.>
I don't know if it was stupid of me to buy it.
<Stupid is too strong a word, but they certainly took advantage of the fact you
didn't know any better. Not a good sign in a retailer. You can buy Epsom salt
(Magnesium sulphate) from a chemist or drugstore if your aquarium store doesn't
have it.>
I realized I should ask you guys first before putting that marine salt mix
because I do not trust those peeps at the pet shop.
<Indeed.>
Does marine salt mix have the same effect as Epsom's regarding my FH's
constipation?
<No.>
Should I put it then?
<No.>
Thanks!
Take care!!!
Nina
<Use Epsom salt as indicated to treat the symptoms, but also review diet to fix
the underlying problem, i.e., the lack of fibre in your fish's diet. Good luck,
Neale>
Re: In need of help...
10/19/07
Omigosh! He is a fast feeding fish gulping pellets. I only feed him pellets
and never greens. I didn't know... thanks Neale! I did not feed him for 2 days
now, he has not pooped. So, should I put Epsom salt and wait for him to poop
before feeding him greens or should I feed him greens right away while on Epsom?
Also, when should I feed him greens? Once a week? Once a day? Every other day?
Thank you so much for all the help you guys?
<Do the Epsom Salt treatment *and* feed him green foods (tinned peas are cheap
and work well usually). The green food is fibre, and that helps the digestive
system "push" everything alone. Basically exactly the same as in humans. I'd be
planning on making 2 meals out of 7 green foods of some sort. The more, the
better. No cichlid is harmed by eating too much green food. So see how things
go, and try out different things. Good luck, Neale>
Help... FW... FH... dis. 10/3/07
Good day WWM Crew! Finally I found a site with professionals like you who
actually replies to worried people (and an updated site too to top it all off).
<Thanks for the kind words.>
I have a Flowerhorn named Prince. I understand that ich looks like salt or sand
sprinkled on the body or fin of the fish but what he has is different.
<Oh dear.>
It's like some portions of his left pectoral fin are turning white and his
pelvic fins has some small white circles, nothing on his body but some portions
of the lower part of his gills also has turned white.
<Either Finrot or fungus. Assume both, and treat accordingly. There are lots of
medications out there that treat finrot and fungus, saving you the job of
figuring out the exact problem. Hurrah for science!>
My problem is, I do not know if he has ich or fin and tail rot.
<Ich/whitespot looks like the fish has salt scattered on its body. Velvet looks
like icing sugar. Finrot and fungus are white patches of necrotic tissue; in the
case of fungus, you can usually see the fungal threads as well, but not always.>
There are no ragged fins to conclude it is fin and tail rot and he has had these
white stuffs for a week now.
<Treat anyway.>
He scratches and sometimes seems to be very agitated while swimming on the
surface. He is not lethargic though, thank God. He still has good appetite, he's
still very interactive and still swims.
<Cichlids will eat until they burst, so appetite isn't always a good indicator
of anything much (though loss of appetite with cichlids usually is serious).>
What does he have then? Please help me.
<Understand this: finrot and fungus are both directly linked to poor water
quality. There may be aquarists who have had fish with finrot and/or fungus in
tanks with good water quality. I'm told some people have seen fairies too, and
that Elvis still performs twice nightly at the Paradise Club in Topeka, KS. But
for me, finrot in healthy tanks, fairies, and current Elvis performances all
fall into the "myths and legends" category.>
We've been through a lot lately, he has been sick and then better again for the
past 6 months. I gave him rock salt, methylene blue, and malachite green in case
he has ich instead of doing nothing.
<Use proper medications. I happen to like eSHa 2000, a European finrot/fungus
remedy, but if you live elsewhere, you'll need to track down some other product
with the same functionality.>
It worries me not to know what he has and not treat him right away.
<Indeed.>
It also worries me that if I don't treat him right now, he might have secondary
diseases.
<yep.>
Thank you and more power. By the way, I always do water change every after 3
days. Thanks again!
<What matters isn't so much the water changes but the water quality. A
Flowerhorn should be in a 55 gallon tank given its size, with a filter providing
not less than 300 gallons per hour turnover, 50% water changes weekly, and 0
ammonia and nitrite. The pH should be around 7.5, the hardness around 10+
degrees dH, and the temperature a steady 25 C. Hope this helps, Neale>
Sick Baby Flowerhorns 7/21/07
Please help, I was given about 30 baby flowerhorns. I put them in a separate
tank at 80 degrees. All water conditions are perfect I do water changes everyday
and they are dying. They look like they have a skin disease of some sort but it
does not resemble ick. What am I doing wrong? I have many other tanks of fish
and none are ever sick. How should I care for these little guys?
Thanks for the help
< Hard to tell. Cichlids are really pretty tough. First check the water for
ammonia and nitrites. Readings should be zero for both. If the water is Ok then
they may have a bacterial infection from the previous tank they were raised in.
Baby cichlids grow very quickly and generate a huge bioload . Under crowded
conditions they become ill very quickly. they may have been ill before you got
them. If the water is good and they are eating then I would recommend an
antibiotic like Nitrofurazone. Follow the directions on the package.-Chuck>
|
Flowerhorn
Not Lookin too good... 8/16/07
Hi, I just noticed the other day that my Flowerhorn's eyes
have become swollen. A few minutes ago he began to flip onto his
side. I've noticed that he has stopped eating and playing with
my dad. I don't know what's wrong with him. We already did a 50%
water change a while ago. Will he live? and is there any way to
treat the puffiness of his eyes? BTW, we keep him in a 20 gal
tank all by himself. And he's around 7in.
<Greetings. Without a photo its impossible to say precisely what
the issue is, but my guess would be a combination of poor water
quality and physical damage. Let's recap: 20 gallons is WAY too
small for a Flowerhorn cichlid. Try 55 gallons instead. A
20-gallon tank is only just big enough for an angelfish! You
don't tell me anything about water chemistry and water quality,
but as a reminder, these fishes need something around pH
7.0-7.5, and a hardness in the "medium hard" to "hard" range of
whatever test kit you're using. As with any cichlid really,
ammonia and nitrite MUST BE ZERO, and nitrates as low as is
practical (ideally, less than 50 mg/l). Provided you have good
water conditions, it sounds to me you need to treat immediately
with antibiotic or antibacterial medications. This sounds like
an opportunistic bacterial infection. Depending on where you
are, your options will include over-the-counter antibiotics (in
the US) or prescription antibiotics (almost everywhere else).
Antibacterial medications like JBL Furanol or Interpet #9 (Anti
Internal Bacteria) are over-the-counter options in Europe that
can work well, though generally only when used early on in the
disease cycle and alongside excellent water quality management.
As ever, remember to remove carbon before using a medication.
Cheers, Neale>
Flowerhorn Looks a
bit.... Mental 8/16/07
Hi, I just noticed 2 days ago that my Flowerhorn had a swollen eye.
He stopped eating just yesterday and we did a water change yesterday. He
is now refusing to play with my dad and just floats near the heater.
He's still breathing and occasionally slapping his eye. Just a few
seconds ago he also began to Hit the rocks at the bottom of the tank.
He's in a 20 gal. tank all alone. Is there anything wrong with him? (The
previous Email you sent was deleted by me by accident.)
<Please seem my reply on today's FAQ page, here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/daily_faqs3.htm?
It's at the bottom. Cheers, Neale>
Re: Flowerhorn Not
Lookin too good... 8/16/07
i know nothing about water chemistry since we just got the kit today,
but i do have pictures now.
<Well, you can't expect to keep fish WITHOUT knowing about water
chemistry/quality. That would be like driving a car without knowing what
all the road signs meant. So time to start reading about water
chemistry/quality and then using your test kits. For any freshwater
aquarist, the critical ones are these: pH, general hardness, and
nitrite. You can't expect to keep fish without understanding these and
having test kits to measure them. Other test kits, like nitrate,
ammonia, and carbonate hardness, are useful but less critical. Your
photo reveals a case of "pop eye" also known as exophthalmia. This is
almost always a problem when fish are kept in tanks with POOR WATER
QUALITY. Almost certainly, the tank is too small, the filter too weak,
and the water changes too infrequent. Since exophthalmia is typically
caused by bacterial infections that have set in because of poor water
quality, you need to treat IMMEDIATELY with an antibiotic or
antibacterial medication. Consult your local fish retailer, or better,
vet, for information on what's available in your state. Please note,
this WILL NOT get better "by itself". Nor will things like salt help.
Cheers, Neale>
Re:
Flowerhorn Not Lookin too good... 8/18/07
ok, thanks. I'll keep that in mind. I have the medications
right now. I hope he gets better soon... Oh, before i forget,
what size fishtank is recommended for him?
<Greetings. We have lots of information here for you on
Flowerhorn cichlids. Start reading here --
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/flowerhorns.htm
-- and then read some of the
other articles linked there. You will find recommendations for
aquarium sizes and lots more. Cheers, Neale> |
|
 |
| |
|