absess growth

[danid]

We have had several cichlids in our office aquarium and recently one fish has developed an absess above its eye. Some have come in and called it 'pop-eye', others say it is a fungus. We have treated it with a fungul treatment four different times, each time draining the water 25%. We feed them feeder fish from the local pet store, would this cause such a disease?

The absess is white and looks like it is almost exploding from the fish, aboves its eye. After the 1st two treatments it went down, but has come back to an extreme.

Should we isolate this fish? Is there any help for it?

 

[SarahBravo]

If it's an absess you'll need an antibiotic, I don't have much experience with them but apparently a combination of Maracyn and Maracyn 2 pretty much fights everything. If possible the fish should be isolated so any infection doesn't pass to its tank mates, and also to keep the sick fish calm and unstressed in its own place.

Feeder fish can apparently carry disease, and depending on what type of cichlids you've got may be providing too much protein. Cichlid pellets and spirulina flake with occasional live food like brine shrimp is generally recommended.

Have you tested the water in the tank at all to check for ammonia, nitrite and nitrate?

If you could post the tank size, what fish you've got and the water parameters, details of your maintenance regime and if at all possible pics of the affected fish, I'm sure some of the people on here will be able to help.

Sarah

 

[danid]

Thank You Sarah for replying... I have inherited these fish and I have no idea of their proper names. I do know that we have two Jack Dempseys and one 'red devil'. The fish that is ill is med size and blue it has white spots on its lower and upper fins. It is a very beautiful fish and I am just trying to save it. I took your advice and got the maracyn 1 & 2 medication this morning. Our fish, we think all of them are african cichlids, live in a fifty-five gallon tank.

Anyways, thank you for taking the time to help a beginner fish owner...

Dani

 

[SarahBravo]

Hi Dani

How're your fish doing? I hope the sick one is okay. There are a couple of good websites/forums I know for cichlids, it might be worth checking them out - maybe they can help identify the fish and offer some more specific treatment advice.

Malawi Mayhem

cichlids.com

cichlid-forum.com

HTH

Sarah