Yellow tang constipated

fishmaster818

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Yeah yellow tang is constipated and will no longer eat. I believe it's from not giving him enough sea weed. The reason I believe he is constipated is because his anus is swollen. Please help
 

Humblefish

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Epsom salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) & peeled boiled peas are both "reef safe" options for treating constipation. However, kanamycin can only be used in a QT if dosed directly into the water.

Swim Bladder Disorder/fish constipation:

Symptoms - Both of these have identical symptoms, but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.

Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.
 
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fishmaster818

fishmaster818

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Epsom salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) & peeled boiled peas are both "reef safe" options for treating constipation. However, kanamycin can only be used in a QT if dosed directly into the water.

Swim Bladder Disorder/fish constipation:

Symptoms - Both of these have identical symptoms, but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.

Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.
I can't use Epsom in my tank though right and I don't have a qt.
 
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fishmaster818

fishmaster818

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Epsom salt is just magnesium sulfate. It is reef safe.
It's definitely constipation because he swimming fine. But epsom will work for helping him "go" right. I'm going to be getting some seaweed he chases other foods but he isn't eating.
 

Humblefish

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It's definitely constipation because he swimming fine. But epsom will work for helping him "go" right. I'm going to be getting some seaweed he chases other foods but he isn't eating.

Try feeding peeled boiled peas (same kind you & I eat) before the nori. Peas are high in fiber and that might help him poop. Nori is a good source of iodine, and that can help you (or a fish) stay regular. But the peas would probably be faster acting to help resolve the immediate problem.
 
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fishmaster818

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Try feeding peeled boiled peas (same kind you & I eat) before the nori. Peas are high in fiber and that might help him poop. Nori is a good source of iodine, and that can help you (or a fish) stay regular. But the peas would probably be faster acting to help resolve the immediate problem.
But he doesn't want to eat. Cause when feed the other fish he chases it but doesn't eat it. Is there anyway that I can let it take it natural cycle then he will be fine
 

Humblefish

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But he doesn't want to eat. Cause when feed the other fish he chases it but doesn't eat it. Is there anyway that I can let it take it natural cycle then he will be fine

I would dose the Epsom salt then - 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons. That might help relax his bowels. It is reef safe.
 

Humblefish

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I don't have epsom salt will anything else work. Like regular iodized salt

No, using regular salt will accomplish nothing expect raise your SG. You buy Epsom salt at any drug store or even Walmart. Just be sure it's "USP” grade Epsom salt and doesn't containing anything other than magnesium sulfate.

Will garlic powder work

No
 
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fishmaster818

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No, using regular salt will accomplish nothing expect raise your SG. You buy Epsom salt at any drug store or even Walmart. Just be sure it's "USP” grade Epsom salt and doesn't containing anything other than magnesium sulfate.



No
So he is eating now so that's better
 

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So he is eating now so that's better

My yellow tang has looked more like a blowfish for a week. I've cut back on feedings for last 4-5 days and he doesn't seem to be getting smaller (stomach that is). I thought maybe diet was too rich in protein as I have 2 clownfish, coral beauty and dotty back in there with him, but he just is a pig and grabs most food before others even on reduced feedings (frozen mysis, mysis flake, frozen angel formula two and nori on a clip which he also gorges. I put in 16 teaspoons (not tablespoons as I've read above) of magnesium sulfate as it's an 80 gallon tank a few days ago as I thought just in case a reduced dose in case something weird happens, but still huge and active. I'm at a loss?? Thoughts?
 

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Try feeding green peas. Par boil the peas so you can peel off the outer skin. Sometimes the reaction is quite "explosive" if you get my drift. ;)
 

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Try feeding green peas. Par boil the peas so you can peel off the outer skin. Sometimes the reaction is quite "explosive" if you get my drift. ;)

I knew I was forgetting something. I have tried that over the last few days and Every fish besides the tang eats them (of course).
 

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I suppose next is Seachem Kanaplex Humblefish recommends above, but I'll have to remove him from main display. He just looks awful but acts/eats as normal (albeit again I haven't fed tank much in last week) with no improvement noticed unfortunately.
 

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Epsom salt (1 tablespoon per 5 gallons) & peeled boiled peas are both "reef safe" options for treating constipation. However, kanamycin can only be used in a QT if dosed directly into the water.

Swim Bladder Disorder/fish constipation:

Symptoms -
Both of these have identical symptoms, but fish with swim bladder disorder generally do not survive. So your best bet is to treat for constipation and hope for the best. The fish will swim erratically, and appear to have difficulty maintaining its equilibrium. It may appear buoyant at the surface of the water, sometimes swimming in circles.

Treatment options - Feed 1 or 2 peeled boiled green peas (same kind you & I eat). Repeat daily even if the fish’s condition improves. The fiber contained in the peas will help “push things out.” If dealing with a fish that refuses to eat, you can try Epsom salt (as a laxative) or an antibiotic such as Kanamycin (aka Seachem Kanaplex) that lists diarrhea as a possible side effect.
I heard the Epsom salts is mainly for freshwater fish. I want to try it but don’t want to continue to make my parameters unstable
 

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