Disease Indentification Help

[Dubious]

This morning my fish were fine when I left for work. When I came home, the Tiger Barbs were showing signs of disease/fungus/other. Im having problems identifying what it is. No one fish are showing the symptoms - just the Tiger Barbs. I did a 20% water change just two days ago so I'm guessing that this is somehow related.

Tank size: 55gal
pH: 6.5
ammonia:
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 100
kH:
gH:
tank temp: 79F

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
- Tiger barbs have white crap on fins (see pic)
- Tiger barbs have loss of appetite

Volume and Frequency of water changes:
- 20% bi-weekly (just changed it 2 days ago)

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
- Charcoal filter

Tank inhabitants:
- 6 Tiger Barbs (4 regular, 2 green)
- 3 Bala Sharks
- 3 Gold Barbs
- 3 Australian Rainbowfish
- 1 Pleco
- 1 Fiddler crab
- 2 Camerroon Armored Shrimp

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
- none

Exposure to chemicals:
- None that I know of, but possible as I just did a partial water change

Digital photo (include if possible) [man, its really hard to photograph fish!]

Thanks in advance for your expert opinions.

-Jeffrey

 

[WILDER]

Your nitrate is high what your tap nitrate reading.
how often do you maintain the tank.
You will need a bacterial med for the fins.

 

[Dubious]

Your nitrate is high what your tap nitrate reading. ** negligible **
how often do you maintain the tank. ** 20-30% every two weeks **
You will need a bacterial med for the fins.

I did a 40% water change yesterday after my original post.

Fish are getting more fur. Now they have migrated towards the water surface and pretty much just sit there flicking. They have no appetite still. They are obviously sick. Still only appears to be affecting the Tiger Barbs. I went to the pet store and they gave me Melafix by API. Took out the charcoal and the first dose of meds went in today at about 13:00.

New pics:

 

[WILDER]

Melafix is no good maybe using it with pimafix.
Whats your location.

 

[WILDER]

Do any of your other fish look like they have been sprinkled in salt, and are they darting around and flicking and rubbing on objects, whitespot can go fluffy on the body when its left untreated.

 

[Dubious]

Do any of your other fish look like they have been sprinkled in salt, and are they darting around and flicking and rubbing on objects, whitespot can go fluffy on the body when its left untreated.

No, all other fish look fine. No salt (ick, I assume you mean) sprinkles, no flicking or rubbing. They are all eating, too. Just the Tiger Barbs appear to be affected.

I'm in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Petco/PetSmart are nearby. You say that Melafix is no good - what is good, something hardcore like a true antibiotic (arithromicyn, penicillin)? I have invertebrates (crab, shrimp) that would be exposed to anything in the tank.

 

[WILDER]

No antibiotic in the tank will cause more problems as it will wipe your benefical bacteria out in the filter.
Maracyn one and two, can use them both together.

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.


Maracyn–Two
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for internal or external gram negative bacterial infections which can even be absorbed through the skin. Effective treatment of fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, dropsy (swollen body, protruding scales), septicemia (bleeding or red streaks on the body), secondary and internal infections. Effective even when fish won't eat.
Active ingredient: Mincycline hydrochlor.

 

[Tolak]

I would move them to a hospital tank ASAP. It doesn't have to be a tank, a large Rubbermaid bin works just as well. Pick up a small heater, and run at least an airstone in the tank, a new sponge filter with some mature gravel on top would be better, but it doesn't matter since you will be needing to do 50% water changes daily, along with remedicating.

The first two pics in post #3 show some bloating as far as I can see, this usually indicates a bacterial problem, especially in fish that haven't been eating. I second the Maracyn & Maracyn II suggestion, with some epsom salt added to reduce any fluid retention. Start with 1 teaspoon per 10 gallons of water, increasing by a teaspoon per 10 gallons daily for a maximum of 3 teaspoons per 10 gallons.