Niger Trigger Needs Help!

[jsisler]

I need some help from the experts here. I have had a 6inch Niger Trigger for about 3 three years now and he appears to have some type of an bloated stomach or swim bladder. He has been lying on his side for about four days and will not eat. My water parameters are fine and the temp is about 76 degrees. I gave him a 6 minute freshwater dip recently and he did not deficate. He is still very strong and struggles not to float to the top becuase of the air or gas that appears to be trapped? To make matters worse I am leaving for the holidays and don't think I can risk him dying while I am gone as I have a show imperator and blue face angle in the tank. I have no other tanks. Any help would be appreciated as this is the first time I have had any problems in the last three years. Thanks.

 

[beth]

Do you have a quarantine tank that you can move the fish to? I would say that this is essential at this point.
I believe you should begin antibiotics, in a QT, using Maracyn Two for SWF. If you are leaving your tank on its own while you are away, there probably is little chance to save this fish.
Lets see if we can get Terry to take a look at this situation.

 

[beth]

Just to clarify so that there is no mistake, Terry is suggesting that you use one antibiotic or the other, NOT both.
Nitrofurazone would be a good choice in your situation because you need to travel soon. However, it is not always easy to find at LFSs.