What can I safely give my fish for pain from a bulging ulcer?

Either may work to treat ulcers which are caused by bacterial infection. Pristine water quality is just as important, if not more so, than medication. Elevated ammonia or nitrite levels can be stressful as well as toxic. A stressed fish is more likely to become ill. Use a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites, with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. If your fish are salt tolerant, you can use aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) in conjunction with an antibiotic. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it in. This will improve gill function, reduce stress, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Treat for no more than 14 days then perform a partial water change to decrease salinity. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock.

It needs to be separated into a hospital tank by itself so it can be treated and heal. If you leave it in the main tank, the others will continue to pick and nip until it dies. Maintain pristine water quality and chemistry during treatment. You can use a broad spectrum antibiotic for 10-14 days to treat infection. You can find one, such as Maracyn 1 or 2, Kanaplex or Furan, in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

Maintain pristine water quality and stable chemistry. If the fish is not a scaleless fish, you can use plain aquarium salt as a general tonic. It will reduce stress, increase gill function, treat minor infection and aid in recovery. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition of the injured fish. Partial water changes can be performed afterwards to reduce salinity. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock.

Physically removing the fungus may cause more stress. Allow the medication to work. Read the package directions carefully and remove the carbon insert from your filter, if necessary, during treatment. Epsom salt can help with fluid retention if that is the cause of the swollen abdomen. Other causes include swim bladder issues, intestinal parasites or constipation. An epsom salt bath would be preferred over treating the entire tank. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of epsom salt in one gallon of tank water. Remove the fish from the main tank and allow it to swim in the salt bath for 15-20 minutes before returning it to the main tank. Do this once daily.

It may be a bacterial infection or trauma. Monitor for bullying since you have other fish. Most minor infections can be managed or resolved by maintaining pristine water quality. A bit of plain aquarium salt (NOT table or Epsom salt) can be used as a general tonic to aid in recovery, reduce stress and improve gill function. Dissolve 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water in a cup or two of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. Treat for 10-14 days then reassess the condition. If the condition is unchanged, consider a broad spectrum antibiotic. You can find one in the aquarium section of the local Petco. Follow label directions carefully and remove the carbon filter insert during treatment if indicated.

Thanks for reaching out about Candoris and including photos. A veterinary visit is recommended as systemic antibiotics needed. Medications added to the water are not absorbed systemically and will not help with internal infections and will likely affect the biological filter. Check and correct water quality as pristine conditions needed to heal. Adding 1 gram non-iodized salt (aquariums salt) per 1 Liter, to decrease stress and osmotic load on the fish. Good luck.

Separate him into a smaller quarantine tank. You can use a broad spectrum antibiotic to treat him. Read package directions carefully and remove the carbon insert if necessary during g treatment. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt) can be used concurrently to aid healing. Dissolve 1 teaspoon per gallon of water into the tank. The Ich can be managed by gradually to about 86 F. Raise it no more than 1 degree per hour to prevent stress. This will speed up the life cycle of the parasite. Once the "dots" drop off your fish, you can vacuum the gravel daily and sanitize any tank furniture. Keep the temperature elevated for about two weeks to ensure resolution. Reduce the temp gradually after this time period. A medication such as API's QuickCure can also be used in conjunction with a temperature increase.