[eoconnor]

I had my fryeris eating well on NLS and high quality flake and frozen mysis for awhile, but not breeding (couple of holds but no go and it had been awhile)...So to kick it off I dropped the temp from maybe 80-81 to 75-76 and stopped adding salt...I had been adding 1 tsp every 5 gallons...I didn't just do 100% change with no salt, it was maybe 30-40% at a time. Anyways, same food and now the interest isn't really there. One died yesterday of what looked like bloat and now only one female at a few flakes, the male stayed in his cave but did come out long enough to chase a female but not eat...other female watched flakes drift by while she sat in the upper corner, the fins aren't damaged they haven't been overly harassed. Can the change in water trigger bloat? What should I do, raise temp and add salt back, or will that just do more harm than good? Should I treat the whole tank with no obvious symptoms besides lack of interest in food. I've never been completely clear on this, is bloat contagious?
Cheers
Eric

 

[Gibbs]

Apparently bloat can be contagious through fecies.
Is it a species only tank? Stop feeding them for now

 

[cichlidaholic]

Lowering the temp slows down their body metabolism, so this could lead to decreased hunger.

Did you lower it gradually?

Bloat is contagious by healthy fish mouthing the feces of infected fish. However, this sounds like something you did recently, and I don't think fish would develop bloat that quickly.

Any white feces?

What was the sex of the one that died? What are your male/female ratios?

Are they in one of the 3 ft breeders?

Kim

 

[eoconnor]

It was a female. 1m/3f was the ratio, yes in a 3ft breeder while I am trying to make room (theres lithobates in my five foot, and peacocks in the four that I'm sure won't appreciate the newcomer). No I didn't lower the temperature gradually, I did it all in one go. Should I raise it back slowly and see if the appetite returns? There didn't seem to be any sign of damage to the fish that was dying, but it did look a little bloated before death. Do fish breath harder when bloated, she was breathing harder than the others.

Cheers,
Eric

 

[cichlidaholic]

It's not good to lower the temp (or raise it) too quickly, so the shock may have caused some problems.

I would raise it back up and see if there is any change in their behaviour.

If not, you may need to watch for other signs of illness and treat in some manner.

Kim

 

[eoconnor]

back up to 77 or so and both females ate tonight. male hid in his cave but is now 'foraging'

thanks kim :thumb:

Eric