Discus' White Jobby

[garyspence84]

Hi all.

I posted a while back about my 'Dark Discus' in the cichlid part, but couldnt find any obvious sickness or reason to REALLY get worried.

BUT.... over the past week or so, the discus has stopped eating. And the other day I thought it had a white poo coming from it, but i couldnt get a proper look.

Last night though, he started to eat again and has got a we bit of colour about it again (still pretty dark though). But this morning I looked in and saw it having a white poo again. Without a shadow of a doubt, white jobby.

Now I know this isnt good, but have no idea how to treat this?

Unfortunately i couldnt get a pic of it doing its white job to show.

Please help

G

 

[garyspence84]

Really.... no one?!

I really dont want to loose this fish, it cost me £35 and its really grown on me over the past few months.

PLEASE HELP!!!

G

 

[ainsy]

Well just some info before we start

I assume all of your params are ok?

How are the other fish?

How many discus do you have? What size is the tank? What temp do you keep them at? what other non-discus fish do you have?

If the fish is very dark and always has been it can be a sign of stress - are the fins clamped also? how are the gills/breathing?

 

[Tolak]

Biggest problem is going to be obtaining the proper medication; metronidazole. If you can find a veterinarian who is willing to prescribe this you've won half the battle. While this is an over the counter med for fish in the US, it's only available by prescription in the UK. I would think your best bet would be contacting a practice that specializes in exotic animals, they would have a better understanding of the reason for using this medication, as it is often used as an antibiotic in mammals.

 

[garyspence84]

Done all my water changes there, and all normal.

All other fish are fine, i have........ 4 discus, 2 dwarf gourami, 10 corys, 4 bleeding hearts, 6 rummys, 3 clown loach, 1 angel, 1 plec, 1 cat and 1 african butterfly.

Water temp is 82/28 and its a 4ft 60 gal tank.

All the fins seem to be fine, not cramped up at all but fish just seems to be hiding away, a lot.

G

 

[ainsy]

I doubt that you will find a vet who is prepared to prescribe metronidazole for you.

Well if I were you I would start by trying to reduce it's stress a little.

I would raise the temp to 84-86. Have you done any tests? If so what were the results?

Another old trick for reducing stress is to add some aquarium salt to the water (yes AQUARIUM salt - the stuff that people with marine tanks use NOT just the salt that you put on your chips!!!) at a rate of 1 Tablespoon per 10 gal. Some experts say this can go as high as 1 tablespoon per 5 gal but I haven't tried it that strong so wouldn't want to endorse it. This is a short term measure - for no longer than a week.

Are you sure that non of the other fish are picking on it? Angels can be a problem and I am not sure about the butterfly/loaches as I have never kept them.

I think that you are very highly stocked (those loaches grow big!) what size is the plec? With that much stock you may have a nitrate problem - have you checked it?

Finally is the poo slimy or segmented?

 

[garyspence84]

Just done some water checks there,
No3 10
No2 0
Gh 16
Kh 6
Ph 6.8

I will pick up some salts tomorrow.

I know i am pretty stocked, im currently waiting on a new home for the clown loach, plec and bleeding hearts being cycled.

The only fish that bothers it is the bigger discus of the group but the past month it has been hardly at all.

G

oh and the plec is about 3", only a baba

 

[Tolak]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/191872-hole-in-the-head/

Find the right vet, you can get metro. Another option is eSHa Hexamita; http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/371613-unwell-angel/

I would not add salt to this tank, regardless of ailment. Discus thrive in softer, more acidic water, while harder water with the mineral content is good for growing out fry, it isn't so good for adults. Adding salt, especially marine salt, will increase the hardness & TDS, stressing out a fish that already appears to have an ailment that is often associated with stress. You've already got a gH of 16, which is pretty hard, and may be a part of the problem. The plec, loach, tetras & so on in your tank won't appreciate the salt, or increase in hardness either.

At the very least get a separate tank for treatment, this will remove any stress caused by tankmates. Do some research on veterinarians, as they do appear to be out there.

 

[ainsy]

I agree that your water is pretty hard - and discus do prefer softer water.

However there is oodles of information about the benefits of short term use of salt with stressed discus. Just google it and I am sure you will find dozens of articles that recommend both use of salt and raising the temp.

I have used both methods to great success myself.

If you are already having to go to the LFS why not get enough RO water to do a big water change and bring down the hardness & tds. If you aren't prepared to lower these then I agree that you shouldn't add the salt.

You didn't say weather the poo was slimy or segmented - it does make a difference.

I hope you can find a vet that will prescribe Metro (if you do can you LMK where they are?). I know that I have tried and can't - I called/went to every vet in a 50 mile radius and they wouldn't do it.

 

[garyspence84]

Thanks for the replys. I have just been calling a few local vets there and none of them do fish meds. 1 even asked me if there was such a thing as prescribed meds for fish!? Thats what I get for living in the contry!

Apparently, theres a vet called Allister Lawrie, that is based in Cumbernauld, who deals with "exotic fish", but I cant find a number for him.

Ainsy.... the poo was a kinda shiney and smooth(ish) 1, if thats any help?

I think I'll try get either eSHa Hexamita or Metronidazole on e-bay or something. I will also rais the temp up a bit but Im not too sure about the salts as Iv read conflicting info on it. BUT... in failing getting some medication, I will give it a try, as im really out of options.

I will also start to do a water change every other day (as opposed to the weekly 30% i do now) to try get the GH down.

Thanks again for all the help

G

 

[garyspence84]

OK, I managed to find some eSHa Hexamita on amizon for £9 express delivery so iv just ordered it and hopefully it will arrive wednesday morning. I will continue with water changes as planned and will keep you posted.

Cheers

G

 

[DJH584]

On the off chance that you need the info - Lawrie Veterinary Group Kenilworth Court, Cumbernauld , G67 1BP Tel:: 01236 802303

David

 

[garyspence84]

Ah excellent! Cheers David

G

 

[garyspence84]

Ok, the eSHa Hexamita arrived yesterday and I put the 1st dose in, and it turned the whole tank bright green so lets hope it works.

Will keep updated....

G

 

[garyspence84]

OK, so Iv done the 3 days of eSHa Hexamita treatment, as advised in the instructions that came with it.

So far, I have seen no white poo, although, the discus is still very dark and isnt eating. I didnt give them a feed at all yesterday, and I think I'll wait till tonight to give them a feed to see if he will eat anything.

Is this a good idea? Or should I starve them for an other day to make sure that its hungry?

Today is tank cleaning day so they usually get a we feed from the much that gets kicked up (as nice as that is).

G