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i just did a 20 % water change and vacuum ..adding the chlorine killer as i added water...this jack dempsey is 4-6 inches long since i added water,etc he's been speeding around tank shaking head back and forth...i have another JD in tank but do not think they are male female he'll calm down then zoom briefly....almost looks like hes convulsing at times...help me ... please ...is he going to die?the only i thing i can think of is he swallowed some chlorine killer...(kent chlorinex)..please help

You probably didn't add the chlorine killer soon enough or something. Strange for only a 20% water change though unless maybe in your area they dump a whole lot of chlorine in the water. You need to mix up the water well, maybe add some more chlorine killer, turn the airpump on high-power for some more oxygen and if he's still convulsing or almost dying ie not moving much grab him by the mouth/side forcing the mouth open and pull him through the water, basically to force water through mouth and gills for oxygen exchange.

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Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

What is that "kent chlorinex" and is it harmful in high doses? I use that Amquel stuff and never had any problems.

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Joe
www.cichlidfish.com

The dechlorinator should be added to the top off water and thouroghly mixed before adding it to your tank... if you are as I think you described it, adding the bucket of water and the dechlorinator then that is probably why your fish is reacting so badly... he probably either get a big mouthful of dechlorinator or of chlorinated water... either one could cause irritation. I would do like Joe suggests and put a bubble wand in the tank to saturate the water with oxygen since he is probably having dificulty breathing right now. And you might want to try a 30% water change with the dechlor, and water properly mixed to maybe try and relax the fish, adding something like stress coat might be a good idea since it contains additives that help the fishes slime coat. Or try adding 1 tbs of salt per 10 gallons this will lessen the stress on the fish too. As to the question about if he will die or not I have no idea... with the info you gave I have no way of speculating on that.

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Adam

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