Hi All

While at my LFS this afternoon getting some bits and pieces I noticed a baby pearlscale laying upside down on the bottom of a tank full of healthy looking ones. Closer inspection revealed a dark red patch on his side the colour of a blood blister. He was being nipped at by the others. I alerted the assistant who said he would remove him to a quarantine tank.

I finished my shopping and went to see if the fish had been moved - he was still there being bullied. I persuaded them to give him to me for free (it was heartbreaking watching him) as I feared his days were numbered, with the best will in the world I'm not sure shops have the resources to look after sick fish. He is now in isolation with a dose of ESHA. I know it wasn't the most sensible thing to do but ...

I think he has a bacterial infection but I wondered what others think? He is a sinker rather than a floater and is making efforts to swim now and then. He is less upside down than he was. I've not added salt yet - might this be a good idea? I have some aquatonic in the 'kit'

Any thoughts appreciated

Sure, add some salt, it might help. Also give him lots of hiding places and keep the lights off. IT was so sweet of you to rescue him, I hope he recovers *fingers crossed*

Yes salt as a supportive is generally recommended by Interpert so would think this is fine with the esha too, and well done for being a softy hopefully he will recover

finger crossed, we are hoping he pulls through, but if he does not at least you gave him the chance.

He's still with us although it seems the red patch is because he rests on his side all the time on the bottom of the tank (bare tank, no stones etc.). He's done two tiny stringy white poos so I'm hoping it is bacterial rather than anything more sinister. He can get himself off the bottom if he makes a huge effort but then bounces down again

Time will tell thanks for your good wishes

He's hanging on in there! I've just read that shallower water can help - he's only in about 12 inches anyway as the tank is a small one (and he's only about an inch long nose to tip of tail). Does this count as shallow for one so small? He's now got Interpet 13 and salt - any thoughts on the ideal temperature for the water? The Esha eased the sore a bit but the swimbladder issue is quite severe so I decided to remove the Esha and target that specically. I seem to recall seeing somewhere that heating it up can help ease swimbladder problems.

Cheers, S

Guess it depends on how big your filter is to how shallow you can have it, but just enough to cover the fish and so it can swim is advisable as this reduces pressure on them apparently and fancies like a temperature of 22-24c

Handily enough the filter is small and can lie on it's side under the water so I'll take some of the water out Will check the temperature when I get home - many thanks for the advice

He's still with us! However it seems the filter media I took from the big filter in the other tank was not sufficient and I now have a tiny ammonia reading - barely there but just enough to tinge the test water if you really look for it. Nitrites are 0 and nitrate matches the tap water. I changed 50% last night but he is now on day 4 of swimbladder treatment and I'm worried that changing more will upset the balance of the medication. Is this level likely to be a danger for him? Would it be enough to add more filter media from the mature one? Any advice happily received!

Many thanks

Just wanted to say you are doing a great job, I have my fingers crossed he makes it.