What is the modern/current opinion on using Epsom salt baths to treat plecos with bloat?

[bekateen]

Hi All,

Question - What is the current consensus with regard to Epsom salt being helpful for treating serious bloat in a pleco? I have a Micracanthicus vandragti that looks like a water balloon or a puffer fish. It's ventral skin is transparent so I can see it is not the internal organs that are inflated, just the abdominal cavity. And it appears to be filled with fluid, not gas. I'm going to treat with Metroplex, but I'm wondering if a short Epsom bath would have any beneficial effect or might be detrimental.

I've read the old posts here and they seem to tip towards the notion that Epsom salts are ineffective.

Thanks, Eric

[TwoTankAmin]

I have never tried bath dips with Epsom. I have treated H tanks with Epsom. There is a risk with using Epsom in terms of raising TDS substantially. In order to avoid using and RO unit as part of a dry/rainy simulation, I preferred to raise tank TDS and then use my tap as rainy. The primary ingredient in raising the TDS was Epsom plus running crushed coral for a day on the changing water and then adding a pinch of baking soda. Most of the TDS gain came from the Epsom.

The result is when treating with Epsom it is possible to cause more harm than good unless some degree of caution is exercised. I never put the full amount of Epsom into the water at one time. I may take 2 or 3 days to build up to the desired level. I may go so far as to take two half steps about 12 hours apart to get a day's dose added. Of course I am referring to using Epsom to treat softer water fish. If I were dealing with African rifties, I would be less cautious.

If the fish is eating and will take daphnia, this is supposed to have a laxative effect. And I would try this as well. I am always unsure when I have a bloated fish as to the actual cause. It may just be normal constipation or it may be constipation which is an effect of another cause. Internal parasites or worms may be the culprit or it could be an internal infection the swelling from which acts to squeeze the digestive track.

My worry with a dip is that the TDS change will be substantial and this means stressful even if for a short time. On the other hand when things get bad enough I will often choose to act because I fear not doing so will result in death in fairly short order.

I am not sure as to the effectiveness or lack there of when using Epsom. I have had some good results and I have also had some bad results. I cannot say for sure if it was the Epsom at fault for the unsuccessful outcomes since i have no way of knowing the actual conditions inside of a fish.

Good luck with whatever you decide to try. I wish I could have been more definite as to the efficacy of Epsom as a med.

[b.reder]

Eric-
Is the Micracanthicus still alive. Please what is the timeline? -Barry

[bekateen]

Hi Barry,

Sorry for the lack of update. I was treating the tank with antibiotics (SeaChem) and I used the 15 minute Epsom bath/dip, then returned the fish to the tank. Sadly, that fish was dead the next morning.

Thanks for asking.
Eric

[b.reder]

Sorry, but thank you. -Barry