Snape is sick :-( (laying on side, won't eat)

[CartoonKitsune79]

My red veiltail Oscar, Snape, has been sick for a couple of weeks now. I had gone to the facebook page for the O spot since it's quicker and convenient, especially at work, to use fb than to log into forums (which are hard for me to navigate on my phone) I got some quick, good information and help there, but he is still not improving.
He has been perfectly fine for the years I've had him (around 4), then one day he was just laying on his side after showing no previous signs of being sick. It was assumed that he was probably in one of his Oscar Moods since the living room had been recently rearranged. However, he never got up. He just lays on his side. He is breathing, and he will occasionally wiggle himself into a new position, but after a few seconds he is laying on his side.

His water tests have been fine. Ph 7.0, nitrites 0, ammonia 0
His water is clean, clear, and odorless. He shares his tank with a common Pleco who is doing perfectly fine.

He is in a 75 gallon tank with 150 gallons worth of filtration using a Fluval 404 as well as an Aqua Genie hang-on. He also has an air thing (oh God I forgot what they are actually called, lol,... the thing that adds oxygen in the water with bubbles...)

Tank temperature is kept 79-80.

I do a 30-40% water change about 2x per week.

I was told to try frozen peas in case he is bloated, but he won't eat at all. I have even tried forcing the food into his mouth and it just floats back out.

His diet I've had him on includes- Cichlid Bio Gold, Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp, Tubifex Worm cubes, freeze dried Earth worms, Spirulina Flakes.

I am scared that I am going to lose him. He does not look injured at all. His colors are fine, as well. He just can't swim and just lays on his side :-(

[OinKY]

Covered about everything I could ask about.
What is the typical nitrate reading for the tank ? Asked simply because it's the one missing reading,plus nitrates are still toxic.
Anything unusual take place about the time this first occured ? Noticed the rearrangement of the room...so were any aerosols used in the room (furniture polish,air fresheners,spray cleaners,etc.).Anything that may have caused vapors in the air (like combining cleaners)?
Bloating would be obvious if there is any. You may try Epsom salts to draw fluids if there are internal problems with the swimbladder.This is a non-invasive treatment that shouldn't stress the O further or affect anything else in the tank.It should also cleanse the osmoregulatory system some.
You might also try getting a look at the gill membranes to see what color they are.Should be a healthy bright red,not pink or brick red. This can diagnose whether this is poisoning of some type (environmental or metabolic) or a physical problem with metabolism.

[JohnL]

Only thing I'd add is to run some carbon in the filter system to help remove anything toxic that may have got into the tank. It won't hurt anything and may help make sure it's fresh and well rinsed. By the way one question did you move his tank?

[callen]

I'm so sorry to hear Snape is not well...I agree and would try Epsom salts. 1 tbls for every 5 gallons. Do a large water change before adding it. Please keep us posted...fingers crossed that he bounces back.

From what you are feeding it's a high protein diet...when he starts eating again try and add fruit and veggies to the diet. He would benefit from one of the homemade recipes we have here viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13487