Dwarf Gourami Ulcer

[Biulu]

For the ones that did not read the earlier postings:

Around 2 weeks ago I discovered that my dwarf gourami had an ulcer right next to his mouth, similar to the symptoms of some Australian dwarfs that were extensively discussed here. So I isolated him and started to treat him for a bacterial infection (active ingredient acriflavina). I ended the 'official' treatment and was advised to keep going with it.

Now about 10 days later, I am still giving him the treatment every 2nd day, and he has been doing ok. Never stopped eating, or anything. Today and yesterday he surprised me with some attempts to make a bubble nest! He didn't get too far, but the attempt is encouraging I think.

The pimple is still there, but the wound seems closed. Since he was the lowest in the picking hierarchy I will not be putting him back in the original tank, but I wonder whether I should keep going with the medicine?

Although whatever medicine for humans is easily available here without prescription, access to antibiotics for fish is difficult. Thanks to the list of Wolf, I have been shopping around a bit, but were not able to find the corresponding active ingredient.

What do you suggest I do? Keep going with the medicine, just watch him carefully, and restart when the situation worsens, or quit the medicine altogether and give him some tankmates in the form of some corydoras?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[sylvia]

If he is not getting worse, it would, I think, be ok to stop medicating but continue to monitor him and restart treatment immediately at the first sign of trouble (so your second option). I'd be a little nervous about it though - he may well suffer a relapse. Good luck anyway and, hopefully, he'll be back to normal again in time - you've done very well with him so far

 

[Biulu]

If he is not getting worse, it would, I think, be ok to stop medicating but continue to monitor him and restart treatment immediately at the first sign of trouble (so your second option). I'd be a little nervous about it though - he may well suffer a relapse. Good luck anyway and, hopefully, he'll be back to normal again in time - you've done very well with him so far

Yes, thanks! I found oxitetracicline here, so I stopped the acriflavine and am giving him now the medicated flakes. I was thinking of finishing that treatment, and see how he will be doing. Since I wasn't sure whether these 2 could be mixed, I thought it would be safest to discontinue the acriflavine.

I am not sure whether it is wishful thinking, but I have the impression that the wart is a bit smaller today!

The new tank is coming next week; so he needs to hold on for a few more weeks in his temporary home.