FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have had my EY for over 2 years and it is my favorite fish that I ever owned. Yesterday when i fed him i noticed his mouth was swollen almost like it was stuffed with food, and he wouldnt eat. Same thing today. He is also spending most of his time in his cave. He usually eats like a pig and goes crazy when i go near the tank because he knows food is coming, but not the last 2 days. Does anyone know what is wrong?? I have him in a 20 gallon long tank with only an algae eater. He has been a happy fish up until now, always swimming around and playing with the current from the filter. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thanks.

Fishtooth, are there any other electric yellows in the tank? This is a mouth brooder and if it has young, it will hold them in it's mouth and not eat for a spell. I don't know if they will hold eggs or not, maybe someone else can tell us that (if the fish is alone).

If you know for certain it is not fry in the mouth and if you can see "fuzz" inside the mouth, then do not delay and dose the tank with Maracyn (not maracyn-2). If your temperature is above 77F please slowly drop the temp (like 1-2F daily only!!!) until you are below 77. You could be dealing with mouth fungus and it will move quicker at 77F and higher.

Can you isolate? Consider a 14 gal rubbermaid bin or spare 10 gal tank or bigger. Transfer as much water as you can spare without depleting more than 25% of the original tank volume. Transfer fish with the water so temp and water makeup are the same. Then slowly add water to the container over a couple of hours and make sure it is within 2F of the container water (prevents temp stress). An airstone with check valve (to prevent back siphon) should be adequate, along with a cave, fake plant and a nice warm spot. Don't forget a lid or screen to prevent suicide.

Let us know how he does.

BTW - if you must treat in main tank, maracyn will not hurt your plec.
What are the current parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH)?

Diane

[span class="edited"][Edited by Cory_Di 2004-07-11 11:56][/span]

Are you in US? If not, Maracyn is Erythromycin, sometimes called E-Mycin.

Hello all, thanks for the replies. I still don't understand what is wrong. He is still alive and starting to act a little better. He ate a little food for the first time in about 4 days today. Yesterday he would swim up to the food as if he was going to eat, but then just watch it float around. His mout is also back to normal now as well. I really dont understand it but hopefully he will get back to his old self soon. Ill keep you updated and thanks again.

Well good luck and hopefully it was nothing, or at least maybe his immune system kicked in and kicked it out.

I'm still wondering if these fish will hold eggs in their mouths if they have no mate.