What's new
By:
Filters

Black Skirt Tetra .. Not Sure On What It Is

C

CroNiC

Fish Crazy
Joined
Dec 25, 2005
Messages
259
Reaction score
0
So i've had my black skirt tetra for 6 years now, and she's made it through alot. I think her time has come, but I really dont want to just sit and watch.
Here's the problem ... there's some type of fungus/tumour type of think underneath her bottom fin. I noticed it when she staying very close to the top for a few days ... it's pretty big (like 2 cm)

Does any1 have any idea what this could be? There could be many causes ... when i was cleaning the tank, i saw it bubbling, realizing that it was cracked. So i obviously took it out, and replaced it. The temperature could have dropped by 10 degrees in that time (4-5 hrs)...possibly one of the reasons.

Anyway what I;m more concerned about is what it is, and is there any way to eliminate it?

Edit: After doing a quick research i'm pretty sure it's body fungus ... now how can i remove it? And is it to late (it's been there for 2-3 days now)
 
Fish Dude said:
Does any1 have any idea what this could be? There could be many causes ... when i was cleaning the tank, i saw it bubbling, realizing that it was cracked. So i obviously took it out, and replaced it. The temperature could have dropped by 10 degrees in that time (4-5 hrs)...possibly one of the reasons.
Click to expand...
Not sure what this paragraph is about, perhaps a broken heater???

A pic of the sick fish is the best way to id the problem. Generally fungus appears as white fluffy stuff on the fish. Fungus can only affect the fish if it is already damaged. ie: it has been bitten or wounded by something, then the fungus can get into the damaged area. Fungus doesn't kill fish very quickly so you should still be able to treat it at this stage. Any broad spectrum medication should work or buy a specific fungal treatment from the fish shop.
If you have catfish and loaches in the tank get a medication that is safe for them.

To work out the volume of water in the tank
measure Length x Width x Height in cm
divide by 1000
equals volume in litres

When measuring the height, measure from the top of the gravel to the top of the water level. If you have big rocks or driftwood in the tank, remove them before measuring the height.

Before you treat the tank do a 50% water change and complete gravel clean. This will reduce the gunk in the tank and allow the medication to work more effectively. It will also lower the pathogen count in the water and mean there are less nasties around to infect the fish.

Remove carbon from the filter before treating otherwise it will absorb the medication out of the water.

Well done for keeping the fish alive for so long :)
 
Well, I couldn't wait so I went out and got medication: QuikCare. I'm suppose to treat it over several days (and it turns the water blue.) Hopefully this can kill the fungus.

The tanks is 30 gallons, and I did a water change a week ago, so decided not to.
The medication stated to remove the Carbon in the filter, which I did .. so hopefully everything should go fine.

O and yea, I was referring to a broke heater.

I'll try to get some pictures up soon
 
It turns the water blue? Did you check to see if it's safe to use in regards to the filter bacteria?
 
If it has methylene blue in then it will cure fungus as well as bacterial problems. Methylene blue makes the water blue.
Malachite green will also clear up fungal and many protozoan infections.
I would be sceptical about the statement the website is making in regards to treating Ich in 2 days and Lymphocystis. The Ich or whitepsot life cycle goes for about 1 week and you can only kill it during the free swimming stage. This comes several days after the spots have fallen off the fish.
And Lymphocystis is a virus that is brought about by stress. If the fish are happy and healthy then the nodules that appear will go away by themselves.
Having said all that, the stuff should clear up the problem on the black skirt tetra.
 
The fungus seems to have not changed at all (even after i put 15 drops in.) The water hasn't turned blue either? I've kept the filter running (obviously without the carbon), so maybe that could be a possibility? Also the temperature is 78.
 
Having the filter running will not affect the medication and prevent it from working unless there is carbon in it. And since you have removed the carbon that isn't going to be a problem.
You should definitely keep the filter running at all times especially when adding medications. The filter will keep the water moving and help to keep the oxygen levels up. Most filters will also continue to break down ammonia and thus keep the water clean. Some medications will kill beneficial filter bacteria but others don't so you should keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels during the next few weeks.
The water movement from the filter will also help to wash the fungus off the body once the fungus starts to die. Increasing water movement (via an airstone or spare water pump) can help with this.

The temperature is fine.

The medication will take about 24hours before you notice any major difference. Make sure you put the correct dose into the tank and you worked out the correct amount of water in it.
 
o ok ... well i haven't seen any difference yet, but im hoping another dose today will help.
i'll post a pic soon, and keep you guys updated.

Thanks for all the help
 
He also appears to have a bad case of Popeye which I'm doubting the Quick Cure will treat. Poor fellow!
 
No actually the "popeye" thing is not rly what it looks like. I think she's just blind from one side ... because it's been like that for over 4 yrs now...
Like I said, she's been through a lot ... 6 yrs is 1 year past the maximum age according to many websites.

Anyway is that fungus?? And can it be cured from Quick Cure?
 
It looks like fungus to me and as the quick cure does contain Malachite Green, it may do the trick. Does it look any better this evening?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Growths on Black Skirt Tetra
Replies
2
Views
851
Naughts
Naughts
S
Help with sick silver molly
Replies
2
Views
384
emeraldking
emeraldking
L
Help with my platy!!
Replies
5
Views
266
emeraldking
emeraldking
Magnum Man
speaking of egg scatterers... what do you think this fish is doing???
Replies
12
Views
564
Magnum Man
Magnum Man
julielynn47
I can't figure out what happened...
2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Swampman
S

Most reactions

Useful Links

Back
Top