Advise Needed

[AJ-Jelly]

Hi all I have a silver shark (Bala shark I think it called) that seems to have mouth fungus. It has fungus around the mouth and gills. I have been putting medication in for about 3 days (Pimafix). All seemed to be going well and was clearing up and then this morning back to square one. Dose anyone have any ideas or suggestions?

 

[black angel]

what medication are you using? if it looks stringy then its more likely columnaris which is bacterial and not fungal. answering the questions in the pinned topic above willh elp us greatly as well.

 

[AJ-Jelly]

Thanks for answering

The medication I am using is called Pimafix. It says on the label that it treats fungal infections and also internal and external bacterial infections.

Will just go and get what info I can

 

[AJ-Jelly]

Tank size: 180
pH:6.4
ammonia:
nitrite: 0
nitrate:100 (bit too high)
kH:3
gH:10
tank temp: 25

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Wooly like growth around mouth and gills. The color is normal and the shark is swimming sa normal. However breathing rate is up a bit. It is not hanging around high in the tank more mid level as normal

Volume and Frequency of water changes:
Mostly very 2 weeks, but can go 3 every now and then.

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
Normal Jewel tank fillter is in the tank. Not fitted with carbon at the moment.

Tank inhabitants:
4 silver sharks, 4 golden Gouramis.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
4 Gouramis added just before christmas

Exposure to chemicals:
Non other than the medication I am using

Hope all this helps

 

[WILDER]

That tank insn't big enough for a bala shark, plus they need to be kept in groups to be happy.
You have a very high nitrate reading, whats your tap nitrate reading.
Mouth fungus you need myxazin and pimafix.

 

[AJ-Jelly]

There is a group of 4 sharks in the tank. Had the sharks since they where small and have increaed the tank size as they have grown. Will lookinto getting a larger tank.

 

[WILDER]

Your filter not coping with the high nitrate reading, I would invest in another filter.

 

[AJ-Jelly]

Would a bigger internal filter be ok or would it be an idea to get an external filter and run it with the one I am using now?

 

[andywg]

Filters create nitrates through processing of ammonia and nitrites. Extraordinarily high nitrates can interfere with the cycle and (I seem to recall) reverse the nitrogen cycle, but 100ppm is nowhere near enough to do this.

 

[WILDER]

How often do you do a gravel vac.
Aback up filter fine.

 

[AJ-Jelly]

Clean gravel every time I do a water change.

Will add another filter to the shopping list

 

[black angel]

you need to do more water changes.
every two to three weeks is too long as shown by your nitrate readings. test it from the tap and do water changes of around 40% every couple of days until its down to the level from your tap

 

[AJ-Jelly]

Thanks for the advise guys will get on and get it all sorted