Black Ghost Knife problem

[boxman]

I've had a really bad few days with my fish, both my rams have ich and now one of my BGK has some weired thing coming out of his 'neck'.

These problems are getting on top of me a bit as I'm going away in a day for 2 weeks and I can't keep an eye on the state of the fish!

It seems to just be moping about in his plastic bottle tunnel and when he does come out he seems to be rubbing that part against the plants (a bit, not too much).

I don't know if this is an injury and whether I need to treat it, whether this is a big poo or what!

The tank is currently under 1/2 dose of interpet no.6.

Any ideas what the heck this is on the BGK please let me know. I don't know what to do!!!!

Thanks
Pete

 

[WILDER]

Can't tell by the pics to much, it looks like a red sore if i'm right with a fluffy fungus and some trailing mucus does that sound correct.

 

[boxman]

Yea, sounds as if that could be it.

Sorry, still getting to grips with my new camera. Check out this.

It is just the full version of the first picture but it gives the injury or whatever it is in more context.

Any ideas on the best way to treat this if it is an injury?

Pete

 

[boxman]

As of this morning the long yucky thing has gone but the BGK is still left with a red bump on it's 'neck'.

I've taken the plastic bottle tunnel out too just incase he/she caught itself on it (made sure there were no sharp edges) - definately one way to confuse a BGK is take away it's home!

Any ideas on treatment?

Thanks
Pete

 

[BlueIce]

What are you feeding the bgk? Is he eating well for you?It looks like POSSIBLY he was constipated and that caused some issues when he finally was able to poop...
it's really difficult to tell and I can't say I've ever seen anything like this with my bgk.



At this point I would just bump the temp to about 84f...and do a few extra water changes .

(On a side note- I never treat me bgk with meds when they have ick...I just raise the temp to 86 for a week or so and then slowly lower it over another week.I've done this with tanks that included bgk,angels,loaches etc...a real community tank...and the ick goes away and I don't lose any fish. )

 

[boxman]

Thanks blueice

Fortunately the ich hasn't effected the BGK. So is this thing basically poo but has caused constipation and this red mark? (Is that patch of white the BGK's 'bum' then?)

My feeds consist of the following
Either Flakes & Granuals
Algae wafers (normally 1 1/2 to 2 broken in 1/2)
Brine shrimp
Blood worm
Cucumber
Tubifex

I rotate the food regularly and definately don't overfeed. They have a fasting day on Sundays.

At present the PH is 7.5, other levels are fine and the temp is about 28oC (was a bit higher but lowered it a bit last night when I saw BGK problem).

Thanks
Pete

 

[BlueIce]

hm,that isn't a bad diet. You could add some krill and shrimp if you wanted,they love that!

How long have you had the bgk? It looks very healthy other then that issue..
I would bump the temp just a tad...

and unless there are signs of internal parasites,I wouldn't do anything else to treat it.

 

[boxman]

I've had them for about 2 months now. I absolutely love them, they're so interesting to watch! Thanks, I'd love to see pics of yours blueice!

Mine go nuts over brine shrimp, you can almost here them shout "whopee, my favourite" when I feed them. (Oh, and I always defrost the shrimp and bloodworm in tank water for 1/2 hour).

There was a sick BGK at the LFS which I was going to try and rescue but couldn't as I'm away for a bit, hope he's ok the poor little fella

Thanks for advice again! Any ideas what could have caused this problem then?

 

[BlueIce]

A few snaps of one of my bgk's...



The only thing I can think of is the fish got constipated and that caused the area to get sore when he actually forced it through. It doesn't look like he cut himself on something. I'd keep an eye on it ,see if it gets worse..make sure he is pooping regularly and eating normally.

 

[boxman]

Ahh

He looks a happy chappy!! How many do you have? Are they in the same tank?

 

[BlueIce]

atm i only have 2..both are in the same tank.Contrary to popular belief,bgk do fine in the same tank.I've had as many as 4 in one tank (long term) and they don't show any more aggression towards each other then do your more calm cichlids (such as severum).I've never had a bgk injure another bgk...
BGK are absolutely amazing At the top of my must always have list...

 

[boxman]

I'd very much agree with that statement blueice! I've never had any problems with my two BGK.

They do chase eachother around a bit but so do my rams and gouramis!

Just an update on Casper (injured BGK) - that weired long thing went, came back and has gone again - there seems to be a little fuzz on the injury but I haven't been able to have a good look.

My LFS said I cant treat the BGK as the whole tank is under ich medication - does this sound right?