Constipated/SBD Cichlid?!?!

[jlvines]

Hello. I am brand new here and I appologize if I am posting in the wrong section. I recently inheritated two Cichlids. The previous owner did not know what was wrong w/ this fish and since I've been doing research, I believe it is suffering from constipation and or swimbladder disease. He floats at the top of the tank because he can not swim down... like a cork. Also his tummy is swollen huge. I have not seen him have a bowl movement. I've been learning about peas and epsom salt as laxatives... but when I put the peas in the tank, they sink and he can't seem to go after them. If anyone can help me by suggesting anything I can try to help this fish, I would greatly appriciate it... and so would he! :help: Thanks in advance!

The picture is not one of my new little friend, but this is the kind of cichlid he is. 22682

[Cermet]

Since no one has posted and I'm no expert I can't help much. However, I'll add one thing - the Epsom salt, if dosed at the correct level should help if bloat is the cause. The peas are a waste of effort until the fish can eat.

I assume you are using an antibiotic if they have an infection but you haven't said one way or the other.

Read the sections on these illnesses that are here. Good luck.

[fishguy66]

It's not swimbladder, in which case your fish would not be able to swim in the water column, he would stay @ the bottom, much like a pike cichlid. If it's bloat, try to get him to eat one of those anti-bacterial foods. That may help, but unfortunately, it's tough to cure. Good Luck!:22: