Black Ghost Knife Dieing

[kitababy]

I got home today and found my ghost knife in a cave. All I could see is his tail. Was not moving at all. Then finally moved. Took him out and put him in a bag. He has this weird spots all over him. Not to sure on what it is. Could someone please help me as soon as possible. Think he is going to die. Does not look good at all. Thanks in advance for all the help!!!!!!!
~Kim~

 

[BlueIce]

it's ick...rough on a bgk especially at the advanced stage it's at.Normal ick meds can't be used on scale-less fish as a bgk.I raise my temp in the tank to 84-86 and leave it at that for a good week.It has always worked for me,but i never let mine get so advanced before treating.

 

[kitababy]

BlueIce: We have the temp up high already. Can't turn the heat up any more. We were having a problem with a lot of fish dying. We had about 6 fish die this last weekend. Don't know why. Then the other ones started to get better. The black ghost knife did have ick and started to get better. I am not to sure what do do. We did have fungus in our tanks. Treated and did water changes every day. When I check the levels of the Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness and Amonia. They all seemed to be normal. So you do not think we can save it? The fish looks bad. Thanks for the help and advice.
~Kim~

 

[BlueIce]

Try this-

Malachite green solution for a minimum of 5 days, after which a water change should be performed. If tank has "scaleless" fish or small tetras, use 1/2 dose for a minimum of 7 days. NOTE: Although the spots disappear from the fish, do not stop treatment, this is normal due to the life cycle of this protozoan.

 

[kitababy]

BlueIce: So, to try Malichite green for sevens days because I have scaleless fish. With have the dosage. Do not change the water till after the seven days are up? Have you ever done this before? Thanks again for the help!
~Kim~

 

[BlueIce]

That's correct...I haven't done it myself,but know several who use that method with success.I prefer not medicating ,just raising the temp ...but with how far advanced your bgk is,I'd probably go for the Malichite green...
good luck

 

[kitababy]

Thank you so much for the advice. Have put the medication in already. Looking good so far. Will keep you informed on what is going on. Thank you again! Looks and sounds promising!
~Kim~

 

[kitababy]

Well, I fed the black ghost knife and he is eating. So I think that is a good sign. Hope he will get better soon!
~Kim~

 

[my_fallen_angel]

poor little thing

Did the other fish have ich??

If you already had the temp up im surprised he caught it
as it cannot survive in warmer water

 

[kitababy]

Yes the other fish do have ich also. We are keeping a close eye on the temp. I am hoping things will turn around. ~Kim~

 

[BlueIce]

poor little thing

Did the other fish have ich??

If you already had the temp up im surprised he caught it
as it cannot survive in warmer water

You mean to say the ick can not survive in high temps correct?

Just wanted to clarify that before someone lowers their bgk tank temps fearing harm to the bgk at high temp.

feeding is a good sign,but don't lessen treatment until the full treatment is completed.

 

[ger87410]

The high temp just speeds up ick's life cycle. It makes it so that when ich hatches from it's stage where it's down in the gravel (forgot what that stage is called) the protozoins just have less of a chance of finding a fish host before it's life cycle ends. The temp in the tank is now 76 and we turned the temp up last night. It's climbed 2 degrees since then. We got a 50w in a 20H. Shouldn't the 50w be enough?

 

[tstenback]

The high temp just speeds up ick's life cycle. It makes it so that when ich hatches from it's stage where it's down in the gravel (forgot what that stage is called) the protozoins just have less of a chance of finding a fish host before it's life cycle ends. The temp in the tank is now 76 and we turned the temp up last night. It's climbed 2 degrees since then. We got a 50w in a 20H. Shouldn't the 50w be enough?

This depends on the ambient room temp. For every degree you have to raise the temp between the room temp and where you want the tank temp shoot for 5 watts of heating. That is a minimum and depends on tank shape etc. the deeper the more heat and if its a long tank then a heater at each end is best. HTH

Edit : here is a link that may help

 

[kitababy]

Well, this morning I check the bgk and he seemed to be getting worse. He did not look good at all. He had some skin falling off and at the tail end it was all red. That is where the skin was falling off. Going to go home and check on him to see how is doing. Thank you for the advice on the temp. We will have to get another heater to get the temp up a bit.
~Kim~

 

[kitababy]

Well, the bgk died today! When home on my lunch and found it dead. The bgk looked like he had a sunburn. Thank you for all your help!