Herichthys carpintis laying on bottom

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
aussieman57

aussieman57

Aimara
MFK Member
Nov 11, 2021
628
1,011
134
67
Have you tested your water?
Yes
If I did not test my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.
Do you do water changes?
Yes
If I do not change my water...
  1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.
Have had this big guy for about 2 years and 2 days ago noticed he just lays on the bottom gasping and not eating. Even though he is laying upright he is a sick puppy. Water parameters are fine. He has been fed NorthFin Tropical Fish Sticks with the occasional earth worm or Crystal River Red Freeze Dried Shrimp. He has consumed these for years. He also gets an occasional tank raised guppy or killifish I am culling. Already tried Epsom Salts with no improvement. Anybody got any ideas for a possible treatment? Or would the recommendation be to euthanize the big guy? Thanks in advance Bob

IMG_3377.jpeg
 
  • Sad
Reactions: bkfamus
Does he have tank mates? If yes, how is everyone else looking atm?
Any small plecos or other spiny cats? I ask cause a friend of mine had a Malawi trout that swallowed a syno cat and in the swallowing process it flared its barbs and got lodged in the trouts throat and they both died.

Is it possible he has gill flukes which is affecting his breathing and behavior? Any chance of cross contamination from the killifish/guppy tank?
Flukes are an easy 1 time treatment with prazipro, which is also reasonably cheap in Amazon.
I would also add salt at 1tbsp/1gal.
If you’re in the US I buy this salt from Home Depot for $9/40# bag. It’s 99.8% pure sodium chloride. Much cheaper and the same stuff as “aquarium salt”. If you’re down under Bunnings should have something similar in the water softener section.
IMG_3544.jpeg
 
Last edited:
He is the only occupant of a 90 gallon tank. Unlikely, anything introduced from guppy/killis as I breed them all here and have done so for many years. Don't believe it is gill flukes. Salt has already been added. One thing you mentioned however got me thinking. Those freeze dried shrimp can sometimes have sharp face pieces on them (not sure what that shrimp body part is called). I wonder if that may have become lodged somewhere?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: danotaylor
What are your water parameters, such as temp, and pH?
Since these are a northern Mexican species, sometimes a bit of a cool down does them good.
When I was keeping carpintus, in winter, I would allow temps to drop into the mid 60s'F, to mimic the temp fluctuations in wnter in notth/ Central Mexico.
And because mine were from Lago Chairel, with pH in the high 8s, and they would experance winter storms that brought with it incursions of cool sea water, and at the same time I'd add enough salt to turn the water sightly brackish about 3 ppt, and unplug heaters.
For a 100 gal tank this would equal @ 3 lbs of salt.
I'm also wondering if the gaping jaw could indicate the onset of Columnaris, and if so.....
a gradual drop in temp to say 70'F, and a little salinity could do it some good.
I find northern Mexican cichlid such as Mayaheros beani, and many Herichthys are susceptable to Columnaris if water temps remain in the 80'F + range. all year round.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
To me he actually looks pretty good have you made any changes to his tank? he almost looks to be sulking.
Everyone else already gave some sound advise so just my 2 cents
 
Ok no worries mate. I mentioned regular salt because you mentioned trying Epsom salt without any change in condition.
It is a reasonable hypothesis that the shrimp “horn” for want of a better work may have damaged his throat.
duanes duanes insight could also be the answer you’re looking for.
I hope it get figured out, or in the very least has a miraculous recovery.
All the best mate 🇦🇺
 
  • Like
Reactions: aussieman57
duanes said:
What are your water parameters, such as temp, and pH?
Since these are a northern Mexican species, sometimes a bit of a cool down does them good.
When I was keeping carpintus, in winter, I would allow temps to drop into the mid 60s'F, to mimic the temp fluctuations in wnter in notth/ Central Mexico.
And because mine were from Lago Chairel, with pH in the high 8s, and they would experance winter storms that brought with it incursions of cool sea water, and at the same time I'd add enough salt to turn the water sightly brackish about 3 ppt, and unplug heaters.
For a 100 gal tank this would equal @ 3 lbs of salt.
I'm also wondering if the gaping jaw could indicate the onset of Columnaris, and if so.....
a gradual drop in temp to say 70'F, and a little salinity could do it some good.
I find northern Mexican cichlid such as Mayaheros beani, and many Herichthys are susceptable to Columnaris if water temps remain in the 80'F + range. all year round.
Click to expand...
pH 7.6, nitrates 5ppm, ammonia & nitrites zero. Temp currently 72 degrees. I live in SW FL. During the summer tank temp runs @ 75 degrees; tank in home with central air conditioning. During the winter tank temp ranges from 68-72 degrees. Temp never exceeds 76 degrees.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlindsey
troublesum said:
To me he actually looks pretty good have you made any changes to his tank? he almost looks to be sulking.
Everyone else already gave some sound advise so just my 2 cents
Click to expand...
His color still looks good. No changes have been made to his tank. He cannot seem to get off the bottom of the substrate which at first made me think it might be swim bladder related. Also exhibiting rapid breathing.
 
I had a similar thing occur to my F1 Anidnoacara stalsbergi last November... Grew him and his siblings out for .5" fry to 6+" females and 9" male.. One day he was sitting on the sand and I knew something was off.. I tired epsom salt, then medicated food, then GC and Kannaplex.. I even consulted a Fish Vet and had a virtual consultation w/ Dr, Basleer.. Nothing worked.. Was told I'd need to take him in for invasive examination to find the real cause. He never recovered, but is still alive.. I moved him and his 2 females to a pal.. we're both growing out F2s from my harem, so all was not lost, but still sucks...

I initially thought maybe he scarfed down some zucchini (for the plecos) too quickly.. A pal told me cichlids cannot digest zucchini skin.. But I figured he would have recovered over time if that was the cause.. My theory is he maybe bit off more driftwood than he could chew and it led to internal organ damage.. I have no clue, but just odd how he went from constantly patrolling the tank, to sitting on the sand.. water parameters were the same as yours except y Ph was 7.2. Fins were perfect, eyes clear, no indication of injury or disease... he was in a 120 w/ 2 females 8 Colombian tetras, 6 tiger SDs and a few plecos, and no one else showed any symptoms of distress.. Sucks.. Hopefully you have more success than I did..🤞
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom