Took in sick yellow belly hippo tang need help

So my LFS has had these 2 sick baby yellow belly hippo tangs for 1-2 weeks. They are unable to control buoyancy so I figure it must be a problem with their swim bladders. The store has been doing their best to try to feed them and such but the one was in rough shape, they offered it to me if I wanted to try to fix it up although assured me I probably wouldnt be able to. I am getting it ready to go into a small hospital tank to try to see if there is any saving it, is there anyone that might have input on this? I am assuming there is no saving it if there is a swim bladder problem.

 

Also I didnt include, its inability to control buoyancy is not that it floats to the surface. Instead it cannot get off the bottom, (at the store) it was pulled off the bottom and let go and it nose dives back to the bottom.

 

I havn't had to deal with this but I hope it turns out good for you!

 

I hope so also, although I am being quite realistic assuming the fish will die. Thats why the fish store gave it to me because they feel there isnt much hope for this one or the other that was in slightly better shape. Hope someone has seen this before.

 

No input?

 

Swim bladder disease is either caused by a bacterial/fungal infections, parasites, bad water conditions or an impaction (constipation) and causes the fish to lose control of its buoyancy and to be upside down. It could be caused by their diet also. Some are stuck upside down at the top, some upside down at the bottom.

 

I have seen very little actual information on this, is there action I can take to try to correct it?

 

How does the body look? Does he/she look malnutrition? You could take a turkey baster or syringe and target feed the hippo. Soak the food with garlic or selcon. Maybe put a small piece of algae next to him and see if he starts eating.

 

I will try to pick up some selcon and try the target feeding asap, I tried to see if he would eat before I took him out of the bag with no joy. Overall I wouldn't say he is terribly starved but starting to lose weight most likely.

 

Never feed a fish while it is in the bag. Its already stressed not to add to the fact that the ammonia level is higher than normal and adding food will make it worse. Just be patient and see how things go from there. Keep your head up.