Need help with my Zebra Fish

[jorjasmum]

Hi, I am relatively new to fish, and have aquired 5 zebra fish from a school that no longer wants them.....I have had them for a few months now with no issues, but two weeks ago one of them got Sick (I think). He (just guessing) has dropped to the bottom of the tank and just goes round and round in circles. To be blunt he looks like it is having some sort of seizure, then lays still for a while and starts again, never getting more than a 1-2cm off the bottom and always on his left side. It looks like it has a bloated tummy, the fish shop said it sounded like Swim Bloat???? with no cure. I googled and did what they suggested - put him in a separate tank, I tried the Pea Trick with no success so moved onto Epsom Salt baths, he looks a little better but is still at the bottom of the tank.....any suggestions of what to do next? The others are all perfectly fine, as is the water quality and food. HELP ME PLEASE!

[Sophia]

what is the time period between when you started treating the fish and now?

[jorjasmum]

We separated him on Wed and tried the pea for 2 days Wed/Thurs) and having no obvious luck started the epsom salt baths on Friday, so he has had 2 a day - total of 6 so far...I just don't know how long we should wait before we should be seeing him get better or when to take the next step - whatever that may be? We were initially slow to start any treatment when the so called fish expert at Animates Henderson told us there was nothing we could do for him. I only hope we havn't left it too late?

[GZ_Loach]

Best thing to do if "it" gets worse or doesn't improve is to quickly kill the fish, sounds horrible but they become very distressed when they start to die naturally.

[Sophia]

I have a fish whose bottom end floats up in the water like there is a helium balloon attached and has been doing that for at least 2 weeks now, longer I think. It seems she has a swim bladder issue but doesn't seem to get worse or better. If your fish is eating and otherwise acting normally it's up to you what you do, it might recover, though your situation sounds more drastic than mine.

You could get a little bottle of clove oil so you are ready to quietly put it to sleep if the time comes anyway. I believe it is the most humane way for fish to die, better than the freezer or the bash on the head.

[jorjasmum]

Does anyone know anything about TMP Sulfa? I have read a bit on the internet and it says to try that but can't find it here in NZ, any idea what it's NZ name might be or where to get it. It also said Sulfa Trimeth Antibiotics, but can't find that either?

[Sophia]

not me

* sits twidding thumbs waiting for Jennifer ( :smln: ) to arrive *

[Jennifer]

Copied from my PM reply to the query:

The problem with fish is that it is very hard to test them to see what antibiotic is best, so it is really just guesswork. Also, swimbladder problems can be caused by numerous things so it is even more difficult to be sure. Also, only a veterinarian can dispense the medication and legally they can basically can only do it after they have seen an animal.

Unfortunately there are few fish vets around but if you already have a good relationship with a vet in your area you can go to them and show them a good reliable source that details the dosage and medication recommended for the symptoms your fish has. They will want to confirm the symptoms/clinical signs that the fish has to be sure they are prescribing the right medication so if you have a video of the fish or some good photos that will help. If the vet prescribes SMZ TMP, it is very easy to use, you pretty much just dissolve it in the water.

There is an antibiotic that you can get from a pet store for the treatment, it is called Furan. That might be worth a try if you don't know a local vet.