Angel Fish

[newfishaddict]

I have an angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), It is about 12 months old and 7-8 inches high. This fish has fin rot on its caudal fin. I have been carefully observing the fin rot for about a month, I have not treated this fish because the fin rot was very minor and I hoped that very regular water changes might help the fish fight off the bacteria on its own.

During the past month the fin rot almost disappeared at one point but now it is back, and back even more, so I have decided I need to treat the fish soon.

The angelfish is in a 29g tank with live plants , co2 via DIY, with 6 corries , 3 platies, and one bloodfin tetra. Ammonia nitrite not detectable, nitrate is usually 8-12ppm but it is likely 0-2 ppm now as I am waiting for my potassium nitrate in the mail, Ph = 7.0-7.2, temp = 25.8 C.

How should I treat this fish?

I know about salt baths but I don’t like the idea of netting this delicate fish….
I know I could add salt to the tank, I know corries don’t like salt but I have read that for a short treatment it is ok…
I also have tetracycline and erythromycin (the tetrac. Is in powder form and much easier for me to use),

What is the best treatment?

 

[AmberC]

Melafix works great, it doesn't mess up your bio filter and is easy on your plants and other inhabitants. As for the cories and salt.. yeah.. Dont do it. I added a little salt and all four of mine died. Not right away, but the salt ate away at them and caused irrepairable damage in the very short amount of time they were even IN the salt.

I'd go with the melafix. Also.. You dont have to net the angel. Get a container large enough for the angel to fit into.. submerse it and use the net to chase the angel into the container. No damage, less stressful because fish is never actually removed from water. This is how I remove my discus from my tanks. And how I will do my angel if need arises to remove her.

Amber

 

[newfishaddict]

Melafix works great, it doesn't mess up your bio filter and is easy on your plants and other inhabitants. As for the cories and salt.. yeah.. Dont do it. I added a little salt and all four of mine died. Not right away, but the salt ate away at them and caused irrepairable damage in the very short amount of time they were even IN the salt.

I'd go with the melafix. Also.. You dont have to net the angel. Get a container large enough for the angel to fit into.. submerse it and use the net to chase the angel into the container. No damage, less stressful because fish is never actually removed from water. This is how I remove my discus from my tanks. And how I will do my angel if need arises to remove her.

Amber

Thanks for the advice: I was hoping to use salt or an antibiotic that I already have, melafix is not cheep and I have some financial strains right now.....I really thought that treating with tetracycline in the mature 29g and removing all fish but the angel makes allot of sense to me, any comments?