Treating Bloat w/Clout

[markh]

I recently purchased some Tropheus and they were doing fine for a few days after I received them. Then out of the blue several of them started to swell up like little sausages and had stringy white excrement. I immediately thought it was bloat so I started to treat with Clout. This was Sunday evening, Monday morning, the worst one of the group didn't make it but the rest all seemed to be breathing better but still puffy. The instructions said to do a 50% water change and repeat treatment if symptoms still are present the next day. I did this and repeated treatment. Tonight they were energetic and breathing better but a few are still a little puffy. So I repeated process. I guess my question is, How long should I continue doing this? The instructions don't go past the next day. I know Clout is a strong medicine and I don't want to harm my fish. But I also don't want to stop to early and have them all die either. Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark H.

[smitty]

Hopefully someone will chime in that has better knowledge then me. But if you are not sure I would probably continue to use Clout but decrease the dosage by a 1/4 to 1/2.

[Pam Chin]

Mark,

Yes Clout is a nasty med, but I would continue until you don't see any more symptoms, sounds like you got it early, but your are correct don't stop now.

Also don't feed them at all, no matter how much they beg! Even for a few days after you are finished with the Clout.

Cichlid Power!
Pam

[markh]

Thanks for the suggestions! I looked at them today and all seemed to be OK. I'm still a little weary so I changed about 40% of the water and added epsom salts and cranked up the heat to 82 degrees. I'm hopeful that a few days with a laxitive will do the trick. I will keep a close eye on them and if they take a turn for the worse I will treat with Clout again. I REALLY don't like using meds, I don't know much about them and don't want to do more harm than good. I will surely not feed them for a few more days. Thanks again.

Mark H.

[Dan Woodland]

Close call!

Now that you have them on the way to recovery I'll ask what are you feeding them?

[markh]

I feed them twice since there arrival. It was Ken's Premium veg. flakes (once) and/or spirulina discs (once). Just my guess, I feel it was due to stress from shipment. They are still a little on the small side.(1 1/4" to 1 1/2") this may have also contributed to the issues.

Mark H.

[smitty]

Nice to hear that you did not lose any.