Angelfish Sick And Dying...

[debob484]

Is melafix safe when using binox? If at all possible I'd like to dose the tank with melafix today. Binox was added Saturday night.

I'm not as excited about their improvement today and another fish is showing signs...

 

[WILDER]

What fish do you have in the tank, any scaless fish as salt is better, as columnaris dosn't like it.

 

[debob484]

I have a pleco.

 

[WILDER]

No salt then, i would just go in wih half the dose of melafix then, good luck.

 

[debob484]

Done. Thanks again!

 

[debob484]

Update for Wilder plus new issues.


I did the second treatment of Binox on Sunday after a 25% water change. I've been adding melafix 1/2 strength every day.

Three of the angelfish are now completely well and finally showing some personality. They're also eating like pigs.

One is still looking a little dull and has a bit of fin damage but is also acting and eating normally.

The original angel I had who never showed signs of the illness finally did get a bit of it but seems well on his way to recovery.

Last but not least there's one who hangs out in the corner of the tank near the bottom. He looks great other than his fins still show signs of the cottony like stuff. He's also had white, thin, stringy poo hanging out of his anus since last night and I haven't seen him eat for days.

I purchased maraycin on ebay and it finally arrived so if need be, I can do another 25% water change on the 4th evening from last binox dose and run some carbon filters to remove the last of the medicine in the tank.

I do think they all need to be treated again but am wondering what you suggest expecially with the last fish. Should I retreat with binox or have they had the maximum dosage? Should I try a round of maraycin next?

Once again, thanks in advance for your help.

 

[debob484]

Correction to my last post:

Did the 25% water change and second dose of binox on Wednesday night. If I redose it will be due again tomorrow.

 

[WILDER]

Yes do a water change and add the med again i would keep going with the binox, the one with the stingy poo it can be a sign of a bacterial infection, just hope the fish makes it, feed some veg as antibiotics can cause the fish to get constipated sometimes.

 

[debob484]

Unfortunately the fish with the stringy poo isn't eating but I intend to get some peas this evening for the others.

I'm also getting a 10 gallon tank tonight to be used as a hospital for future problems.

I'll continue with the binox then.

Thanks Wilder!

 

[debob484]

Well Wilder, here goes...

All of the Angels seemed to be completely better for several days. One looked fine but was hanging out in the corner of the tank with the white stringy stuff hanging from the anus. Same story with him, I still haven't seen him eat however he doesn't seem to be loosing weight.

One who was looking perfect until yesterday started showing signs of clamped fins. This morning I woke up to find what looks like a small cotton ball on his tail and top fin. This is near the base of his tail and goes all the way through. He's eating well but still has slightly clamped fins and not as active as before.

Another one who is really looking and acting fine seems to be loosing the color in his tail in streaks. It's kind of transparent and progressing daily. Don't know what the heck that could be.

Binox is still in the tank and not due to be removed until Thursday night. I don't have enough left to treat again. I'll still adding melafix 1/2 strength daily.

I have some Maracyn here if that could be of some help.

I could remove the Pleco and put in another tank with 5 small fish that are in quarantine but healthy. I'm not sure how Neons do with salt. i picked up some aquarium salt.
Where do I go from here?

 

[WILDER]

Not sounding to good, if you can remove the plec as they can't tolerate salt, but neons can tolerate small amounts, do a water change add the binox back to the water removed and add the maracyn with it as well.

Forget the melafix don't add anymore.
Increase aeration.



Maracyn
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for gram-positive bacterial infections. For infections of columnaris (body fungus), fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, and secondary infections.
Active ingredient: Erythromycin.


Keep an eye on the fish as i don't really like telling fish keepers to mix meds, but with columnaris you have to use maracyn one and two, so i would carry on with the binox with the maracyn one, good luck, fingers crossed.
But please make sure the tank has alot of aeration.

 

[debob484]

Unfortunately I don't have enough Binox to treat the tank a 4th time and won't be able to get anymore until the weekend, it's a 2 hour round trip.
I will add what's left. Can't find Maricyn Two anywhere but so I will make a purchase tonight, hope it arrives quickly.

Unbelieveable this is coming back during treatment isn't it? I never have seen any red rings or spots with this columnaris on my fish.

 

[debob484]

Just remembered, about 4 or 5 days ago another Angel who had never shown any signs of columnaris looked very similar to the one I have showing signs now. It lasted about a day and was gone. Lost some of his fin too but seems to be growing back.

What do you make of the one loosing color in its tail? No cottony stuff at all.

 

[WILDER]

Bleached out colour can be columnaris as well, problem with columnaris is has many disguises.
Have you added the maracyn.

 

[debob484]

I've done another 25% water change tonight, a day early. I'm running a carbon filter at the moment as the water is extremely dirty. I'm waiting for hubby to get home with a pump as I've added a rather large bubble wall. After checking, I actually do have enough Binox to treat again, and as you said I will add Maracyn also after removing the carbon filter before going to bed.

Color seems to be coming back to the one Angels tail. The one that wasn't eating is now. All look wonderful except the one. Some of the cottony stuff came off the tail and left a rather large hole. Darn fish is eating like a pig but not acting normal obviously. I also gave him a salt bath this evening as directed by the link you provided.

Thanks for checking on my progress and continuing to advise me Wilder.