My big ABN may be having a problem

[hollyfish2000]

My very nice and bristley ABN is looking a bit odd at the moment. I've had him in a small tank recently because he was fighting with the other male ABN (now gone off to live with Sam). His belly seems swollen, which at first I thought was just good living. But I also noticed his cheeks seem swollen too. (meaning the snout on either side of the bristles that go up the middle of his face). If that makes any sense. (I'm not referring to the thingees that they stick out on the side of their face when threatened.)

I've never seen this before and have no idea if this is something or I am being hysterical.

Please advise. (he's alone in a 10-gallon so I can easily treat him if he's having a problem.)

 

[Avatar]

Haven't seen your other one since I released him...

...into a big densely planted 55. Assuming he's OK and survives, if yours doesn't you may have him back, if you come to a meeting.

For those of you whom don't know she, Holly is a delightful (and generous) human being, and a member whom has never been to a CCA meeting. Everyone should chime in to let her know that she's regularly missing out on the social event of whatever month it happens to be. That fact that she has a horse to ride (that might otherwise excuse her from such pedestrian gatherings as CCA meetings) notwithstanding, we should endeavor to guilt-trip her into attending for her own good but mostly ours.

Unfortunately (or perhaps thankfully for you) I have no advice to offer on misshapen ABNs but am pretty certain prayer won't work so you can cross that off the list.

 

[Tony]

For those of you whom don't know she, Holly is a delightful (and generous) human being, and a member whom has never been to a CCA meeting. Everyone should chime in to let her know that she's regularly missing out on the social event of whatever month it happens to be. That fact that she has a horse to ride (that might otherwise excuse her from such pedestrian gatherings as CCA meetings) notwithstanding, we should endeavor to guilt-trip her into attending for her own good but mostly ours.

I've been attempting to guilt her into coming to a meeting for the last year, Sam. I think she knows what she's missing.

Now I did hear it from a reliable source that Miss Holly may be attending the convention.... we shall see.

Holly - not sure how common it is in plecos, but it could be something similar to bloat. I'd try a lower-than-normal dose of Epsom salt... Hopefully, this will get things moving along again.

Before you do, someone else chime in to confirm that this isn't for some reason a bad idea. Never tried it on a pleco before, but it works for me with bloaty Africans. Worth a shot.

 

[hollyfish2000]

Sam -- thank you for the kind words. And, yes, I am planning on attending next weekend and looking forward to it! No worries about needing to return the boy you have. I still have three other ABNs.

Does kosher salt work like Epson. Any idea how much to put in a 10 gallon?

Tony - sending you a PM

 

[toddnbecka]

Kosher salt and epsom salt are ENTIRELY different things. Epsom salt is useful for raising the gH; kosher salt is essentially rock salt, not good for pleco's in general.

 

[hollyfish2000]

Thanks. Went online and saw the difference and did the recommended 1T per 10 gallons of Epson salt. Not helping I'm afraid . ..

 

[hollyfish2000]

I'm now treating him for a bacterial infection, but I really think I'm going to have to euthanize him if he doesn't get better soon. He's more swollen than before and my cucumber didn't even entice him to eat. Ugh. I hate this!

 

[UNCLERUCKUS]

SORRY TO HERE IT HOLLY.