Sick 9 or 10 year old silver dollar

[Lo_mein.]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

0

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

20

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

What percentage of water do you change?

31-40%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every two weeks

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.

Hi all.

My boyfriend is pretty upset today. His favorite fish are getting up in age and I can't tell what is wrong with this dude. Is he just old or is it something I can fix. His brothers that he has been housed with all the same age are fine and look healthy. I understand the lifespan is 10 years but why just him...?

Is it time to put him down?

Symptoms:

Bloated, no shine to him, whitish color, large bumps over his body, heavy breathing etc.

 

[EntoStentor]

Oh sweet lord what has happened to that fish.

For one thing it has dropsy, also fin rot. Both are bacterial diseases and some of the deadliest ailments a fish can get. Both arise from poor water quality. What are your tankmates and tank size? Since your water change schedule looks good, you may be overstocked.

I have never had a fish get dropsy and have no idea what to treat it with. However, fin rot is one of the most common issues I have, and there is no better medication for it than API melafix.

kno4te will be able to help you with the dropsy.

 

[Lo_mein.]

Oh sweet lord what has happened to that fish.

For one thing it has dropsy, also fin rot. Both are bacterial diseases and some of the deadliest ailments a fish can get. Both arise from poor water quality. What are your tankmates and tank size? Since your water change schedule looks good, you may be overstocked.

I have never had a fish get dropsy and have no idea what to treat it with. However, fin rot is one of the most common issues I have, and there is no better medication for it than API melafix.

kno4te will be able to help you with the dropsy.

We inherited this tank from an older man who's had them for 8 years. When we got them they were in this condition, missing fins, very wonky fish, but again they are 8 years old and still going..


I thought with dropsy they float upside-down?

 

[EntoStentor]

We inherited this tank from an older man who's had them for 8 years. When we got them they were in this condition, missing fins, very wonky fish, but again they are 8 years old and still going..


I thought with dropsy they float upside-down?

No not necessarily. There are multiple forms of the disease and effects depend on the species of the fish and where the fish is infected. There are also multiple pathogens that can cause the condition. In short, there is variation in symptoms between fish. Wait for kno4te 's input on the dropsy. What is your tank size and what other fish are there?

 

[Lo_mein.]

No not necessarily. There are multiple forms of the disease and effects depend on the species of the fish and where the fish is infected. There are also multiple pathogens that can cause the condition. In short, there is variation in symptoms between fish. Wait for kno4te 's input on the dropsy. What is your tank size and what other fish are there?

90 gallon 2 bp, 2 blue acaras, 4 silver dollars, a pleco, an albino peacock, 1 fire eel, 2 skunks, 6 corydoras, and a rainbow shark.

I've had this set up for 2 and a 1/2 years with no deaths or any issues, other than ich once when we first started adding fish.

 

[kno4te]

90 gallon 2 bp, 2 blue acaras, 4 silver dollars, a pleco, an albino peacock, 1 fire eel, 2 skunks, 6 corydoras, and a rainbow shark.

I've had this set up for 2 and a 1/2 years with no deaths or any issues, other than ich once when we first started adding fish.

Can try some Epsom salt 3 tbsp per 5g and kanamycin.

 

[FJB]

Noob has pointed several issues that are very much correct.
In my opinion, your aquarium is overstocked, and the various types of fish are not quite compatible, specially in a smallish tank.
I would say the dollars and the cichlids is a no-no. The others are just too many for your water changes.
- water changes every two weeks - Not enough. Suggest no less than 50% weekly. While still ill, 50% twice a week.
- Dropsy and fin rot are symptomatic of poor water quality. They are reversible if conditions are improved, otherwise they are lethal.

Yes, many water changes, some salt (for fin rot), removing nippy fish, may save your fish.

Silver dollars can live several decades in good conditions. 3 of my 8 silver dollars are about 20 years old. Your 10 year dollars are not necessarily very old or old at all.

Good luck!