My life is ruined!

[Incredulous_Ed]

My apisto borellii is laying on the substrate. When eh swims he kind of shimmys. e hs a healthy appetie though. What am I to do!??!?!?!

[Pr0eve]

out of my realm but I wish you luck bro, they are a pretty fish.

just give ya my support.

[cocoa_pleco]

melafix/pimafix, extra water changes

[Incredulous_Ed]

But wait, on the back of the melafix and pimafix bottles it says not to do water changes. What should I do?

[cocoa_pleco]

you can either do water changes or the mela/pima treatment, id do the mela/pima

[Incredulous_Ed]

Cool. I'll do that. Thanks!

[fishfanatic33]

So sorry Ed.......hope everything works out ok.

[Dave66]

My apisto borellii is laying on the substrate. When eh swims he kind of shimmys. e hs a healthy appetie though. What am I to do!??!?!?!

Ed,
How did you acclimate your fish? That 'shimmy' is because he was chilled or water-chemistry shocked during either capture, transfer in cool weather, or too short or incorrect acclimation. Also, what are the water params of their tank? Temp, pH, hardness.
DON'T MEDICATE THE TANK! Adding medication to healthy fish tends to make them sick fish. Isolate the sick Apisto to treat him. Slowly warming the water over a few days to around 82 degrees cures them about 50 percent of the time if it was a chill. The Melafix and Pimafix WILL NOT cure shimmies. Melafix is for bacterial diseases like fin and tail rot and some kinds of mouth fungus, Pimafix for fungus and some bacterial infections.
Both products are anti-fungal and will cure some types of bacterial infections internally and externally. Since shimmies are brought on by a chill, they are not fungal nor bacterial in origin.
You should keep Apistos at 77 degrees.

Dave

Dave

[Incredulous_Ed]

They came in from apistodave in semi cool water. They were 3/4ths dead so I just did the novaqua and amquel acclimation. The tank is about 78-80 F. The thing I dont understand is that the other apisto is very healthy and has a very good appetite, and is even getting some nice color.

[Dave66]

They came in from apistodave in semi cool water. They were 3/4ths dead so I just did the novaqua and amquel acclimation. The tank is about 78-80 F. The thing I dont understand is that the other apisto is very healthy and has a very good appetite, and is even getting some nice color.

AHA! The shipping was the problem, then. If you get more chilled like that, drip acclimate them as that'll help prevent the shakes (among other things).
Not surprising that one is fine. They are just like people. Some get sick during flu season, some don't. Warm the water to 82 a degree a day and see if that doesn't straighten him out.

Dave

[Incredulous_Ed]

Thanks Dave. What should I do if it doesnt straighten them out?

[Dave66]

Thanks Dave. What should I do if it doesnt straighten them out?

Depends on the amount of time he's been shakin', Ed. You caught it early, so about 65 percent of the time they get back on an even keel. Some further along are closer to 40 percent, and some never recover and sort of fade away.
I wish you luck on it. Next time you get some through the mail, regardless the season, drip acclimate them. Though it'll take a good deal more time, it'll be well spent so you don't have the headache like you do now.

Dave

[Fishalicious]

So sorry Ed <hugs> Apisto's rarely get sick but if they do in my experience they rarely get better from Meds.. also if the sickness keeps up for more than 3 days they very rarely make it. I hate saying that but it is just what I have encountered with Apisto's so far.

I hope the slow raising of the Temps will do the trick...

If you do order again though you should ask him to send fish that are a bit older ... these ones were far too young that already made them more succeptable to getting ill.

[kitten3326]

Sorry to hear about your Apisto's Ed. I am going to get a pair next week I hope I have better luck, they have to travel 450km to get to my tank, so I hope they make it.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Thanks :)

He is looking a little better and is approaching the front glass asking for food whenever I come near the tank.

[kitten3326]

I'm glad to hear he is feeling a little better, is he shimming anymore?

[Tooch]

Wish you the best Ed! I know how excited you were about these guys! I'm glad to hear he's showin signs of improvement!

[fishfanatic33]

Hang in there Ed! He taken a turn for the better!

[Incredulous_Ed]

He looks like he's doing better. How long shoudl I keep the temp at 82?

[Dave66]

He looks like he's doing better. How long shoudl I keep the temp at 82?

Till he's back on an even keel, Ed. In other words, when he's as healthy and well-colored as the other one.

Dave

[SkarloeysMom]

So glad to hear your apisto is doing better, Ed! Hope he continues to improve.

[Incredulous_Ed]

Oh noes, he doesnt look good today. He was laying on the substrate, and he's shimmying more than ever. What should I do now?

[fishfanatic33]

Ohhhh Ed.......dont know if you can do anything except wait and hope

[SkarloeysMom]

Oh noes, he doesnt look good today. He was laying on the substrate, and he's shimmying more than ever. What should I do now?

Guess I spoke too soon. I'm so sorry he's taken a turn for the worse. I have no idea what to tell you but I really hope he makes it.

[Incredulous_Ed]

He died a few hours ago. His body had a curved spine. Thanks for the help.

[fishfanatic33]

Oh Ed I am so sorry......things will get better ~* Pats on back*~