Dropsy/Constipation in Cichlid

So I introduced 2 new fish about two weeks ago from petsmart and they brought ich into my aquarium, of course. I also added 4 a week ago, but they seemed healthy from a local LFS. Only 2 of them got it but I started treating immediately. Weirdly enough just the 2 EBAs got it but some of the others were flashing.

But my main concern is my OB Peacock, he got bloated. I assume he’s constipated so I put him in a little breeder box (still in the main tank so I can treat ich) so he won’t eat like the others. After 3 days I fed him a cooked peeled pea but he didn’t eat it, I left it in with him but idk if he ever ate it, thinking it may have slipped out. He does not have an appetite now. None of my other fish are bloated either. Although a few look like they have slightly sunken stomachs, but some of them aren’t eating as much since they’re newer so maybe it’s just lack of food. But today I noticed the OBs scales are protruding a little so now I’m thinking he has dropsy :/ I have him an epsom salt dip about an hour ago, not sure if it helped or not but I added him back in the tank. Currently treating the whole tank with Mardel Coppersafe and temp is heated at 84-86 F to help with ich. When I tested water last week it was normal but will be checking again once I can go back to my other place to get my test kit. Here is some pictures of him while he was in the dip.




I would hate to lose this guy as he’s one of my favorites but I’ve been reading once they get to this stage they don’t have much hope.

I just bought a 10 gallon kit that came with filter/heater so I’m thinking I will move him into that to add a low concentration of epsom salt and some sort of medicine until he gets better or dies. Would API General Cure help? I was thinking about buying some just in case they have sunken stomach anyways. In addition to the bath in the quarantine tank I was also going to do the more concentrated 15 minute dips a few times a day. What temperature should I keep his tank at? Would it be safe to use the Coppersafe and General Cure at the same time if I do go with that? Any other advice?

 

I saved my old mutt African with epsom salt, Kanaplex and Methylene blue. She was bloated and pine coned (I think she became egg bound) and she lived for another couple years.

Copper safe and general cure isn’t going to help him, this is likely bacterial so you’ll need a good antibiotic.

What were you feeding them prior to this? Bloating in African cichlids is often called Malawi bloat. It usually is caused by digestive issues when the fish are fed something new or high in protein.

Also as a heads up, mixing African cichlids with American cichlids usually leads to aggression and injury as the young fish mature. Better to keep them separate IMO.

 

I saved my old mutt African with epsom salt, Kanaplex and Methylene blue. She was bloated and pine coned (I think she became egg bound) and she lived for another couple years.

Copper safe and general cure isn’t going to help him, this is likely bacterial so you’ll need a good antibiotic.

What were you feeding them prior to this? Bloating in African cichlids is often called Malawi bloat. It usually is caused by digestive issues when the fish are fed something new or high in protein.

Also as a heads up, mixing African cichlids with American cichlids usually leads to aggression and injury as the young fish mature. Better to keep them separate IMO.

That’s awesome she made it. I’m using the copper safe for the ich but I guess I will hold off on that. I will look into the kanaplex and methylene blue thank you!

I am feeding NLS pellets exclusively, I’m guessing the stress may have triggered the bloat? I had a mbuna a few years back with Malawi bloat but he came back from it, he surprised me. I didn’t even treat either, just randomly threw in some duck weed and he ate it and was not bloated at all the next day, guess all he needed was the roughage.

Ive had them together for around two years now but I’m prepared to separate them or rehome them if I notice them getting too rough with each other, my mom was the one who wanted the South Americans but I wanted peacocks but figured we would take a chance. But maybe the acaras are stressed since they were the first to get ich.

 

I saved my old mutt African with epsom salt, Kanaplex and Methylene blue. She was bloated and pine coned (I think she became egg bound) and she lived for another couple years.

Copper safe and general cure isn’t going to help him, this is likely bacterial so you’ll need a good antibiotic.

What were you feeding them prior to this? Bloating in African cichlids is often called Malawi bloat. It usually is caused by digestive issues when the fish are fed something new or high in protein.

Also as a heads up, mixing African cichlids with American cichlids usually leads to aggression and injury as the young fish mature. Better to keep them separate IMO.

Well the soonest I can get the Kanaplex is on Tuesday, it may be too late by then. Is there something I can use in the meantime that I can get at petsmart asap?

 

Start reading labels of the meds available. If you can find something with an antibiotic in it then that’s what I’d go for (antibiotics usually end in “cin” like “kanamycin”). If not then find something that treat for bacteria. I know Tetra Fungus Guard and Lifegurard say they treat for bacteria but I’m not too sure how well they’ll work for his problem.

 

Start reading labels of the meds available. If you can find something with an antibiotic in it then that’s what I’d go for (antibiotics usually end in “cin” like “kanamycin”). If not then find something that treat for bacteria. I know Tetra Fungus Guard and Lifegurard say they treat for bacteria but I’m not too sure how well they’ll work for his problem.

Thanks a ton I will look at them ASAP. One more question, do you think I should treat the main tank as well to be on the safe side?

 

Just treat the sick one, I don’t think this is too contagious like ich and other parasitic infections are.

 

Well he didn’t make it. I moved him into the quarantine tank to treat him but before I could even add anything to the water (other then Prime) I found him dead. RIP

Edit: I’m going to order some Kanplex and methylene blue online though just in case it happens again.