I_am_Elmo Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I had a firemouth recently die, after it's belly bloated massively. I thought it was just fat as it still swam around and ate. My Geo surinamensis is now hiding away and not eating, it's colours are dull and now it's starting to show signs of a bloated stomach. What could this be and what could the treatment be? Any help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Were his scales sticking out? Could be dropsy? Could he have eaten some bad food? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Elmo Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 His scales appear normal, just dull in colour. It's eyes look a little bulgy and cloudy, i thought at first it could be pop eye. I'll get a photo up soon. The food is the same as all the others, flake(vege) and chopped shrimp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Elmo Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Having read up a little on dropsy, it looks like that is it Now, my question is should I remove the fish, or wait til it dies? My fire mouth had it too. I don't want it spreading.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Have a read of this thread: http://www.fnzas.org.nz/fishroom/dropsy-contagious-yes-no-vt15357.html It would appear the general consensus is that it is not contagious. If it is dropsy it would be best to remove as soon as possible anyway and euthanise. Fish rarely survive dropsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Why are you feeding it vege flakes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 You may find that your geo has a completely different problem. I'd put him in a hospital tank, and keep an eye on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Elmo Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I was told they need vege for their immune system and protein for growth so fed the flakes and shrimp. Vege's not a good idea? On closer inspection (of the dead fishie ) the scales were all sticking out but because they are smallish scales I couldn't notice. All bad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Sounds like dropsy. I wouldn't feed vege flakes, just normal sinking crumble type food. My earth eaters all get a mix of wardly cichlid crumble, tetra colour bits, hikari cichlid gold, bloodworms and occasionally shrimp. Sorry for your loss, don't give up though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 When a fish is bloated its stomach swells. This causes the scales on the tummy area to stick out as they try to fit around the extra gut underneath. If a fish has dropsy, the pine cone effect of the scales is all over the fish, not just the tummy area. Hard to tell on some species though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Good point, the vege matter could have caused bloat, (which is why I asked why he was feeding it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_am_Elmo Posted September 25, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 The scales were sticking out all over, not perpendicular but on closer inspection - it looked almost prickly. I'm just thinking what I should replace them with, another dilemma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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