sick demasoni

[Foxglove]

I have a Pseudotropheus demasoni that is just hanging out at the surface, gasping a bit and looking sad.

It's fins are clamped, but using it's pectorals to keep afloat up there.

The belly area looks a bit pale and almost translucent.

What do you think I should do?

I can move it to a hospital tank, but what meds, or treatment?

[ryanjury]

If an african cichlid (esp something like a demasoni) is hanging around the top of the tank it is usually a sign of them having the crap beaten out of them.. For some reason they hang up the top of the tank rather than going to the bottom and hiding in all the lovely caves you provide. Of course there can be a million other reasons why he is up there..

Are its fins ripped or torn or does it have any wounds? Are their any other fish (probably male demasoni) going and having a few cheap hits on him or chasing him around?

If he has been beaten you you need to remove him and stick him somewhere save to recover with some salt in the water and maybe some meth blue on his wounds.. The tricky part happens when you want to stick him back in the tank..

[Foxglove]

Hi Ryan, there are no wounds visible, and I hadn't seen any other fish taking any interest at all, so I don't think it is bullying.

I wondered about the dreaded Malawi bloat. there is the lack of appetite, listlessness and possibly a slight (very!) distention of the anal area.

I've shifted him to a separate tank, and will try Epsom salts - I don't have any here sadly, so it will have to wait till tomorrow evening.

Mostly all the fish are doing well. I spotted a few yellow fry today, but no sign of them now.