Hi there I need help. I have a breeding pair of panda apistos in a 40 gallon breeder that has been set up since November (apistos were added in December). The only other tank inhabitants are some apisto fry, 2 juvenile bristlenose plecos, a couple amano shrimp, and some snails. The tank is planted and has sand mixed with gravel.
I noticed yesterday the female can't close her mouth, didn't seem interested in food, and spent much of the evening hiding which is unusual. Tank parameters yesterday were 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 25 nitrate. Everyone else was/is acting normal. When I got home today she was hiding even more. I moved her to a hospital tank with aquarium salt (2 tbs in 4 gallons). Upon closer look, it appears she has a bubble in her mouth. I assumed it was a piece of gravel but it looks too translucent and shiny to be gravel. What should I do? Wait it out? I usually use the aquarium coop recommended med trio when a fish is sick, since I am inexperienced with identifying specific illnesses. However, I am hesitant to use the med trio in addition to the salt because I originally thought it was more of a physical injury (like maybe she sifted a piece of gravel that was too large).
I noticed yesterday the female can't close her mouth, didn't seem interested in food, and spent much of the evening hiding which is unusual. Tank parameters yesterday were 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 25 nitrate. Everyone else was/is acting normal. When I got home today she was hiding even more. I moved her to a hospital tank with aquarium salt (2 tbs in 4 gallons). Upon closer look, it appears she has a bubble in her mouth. I assumed it was a piece of gravel but it looks too translucent and shiny to be gravel. What should I do? Wait it out? I usually use the aquarium coop recommended med trio when a fish is sick, since I am inexperienced with identifying specific illnesses. However, I am hesitant to use the med trio in addition to the salt because I originally thought it was more of a physical injury (like maybe she sifted a piece of gravel that was too large).
