Fin Rot Treatment Log

[cutechic]

I've had a few cases of fin rot these past few months, due to the fact that I have not been keeping on top of my water changes. I have tried various things, most commonly Melafix or Kanacyn by Aquatronics (with varied success), but as I have run out of these meds, and will not be able to pick some up until Wednesday, I'm treating my fin-rotted platy by giving it salt baths...

Day Before treatment: Platy looked like she had a black eye, and had a sunken belly and bent spine. Was not as lethargic, and would no longer eat. She looked like she was on her deathbed. Fins were extremely rotted.

Day 1: Netted platy and floated net for 2 minutes in a container filled with 3-4 cups of tank water + 2 tsp. of aquarium salt. Repeated procedure after 5 hours.

Day 2 (today): Did same procedure as before at 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. Will repeat a third time later this evening. Is not as active, and I have not noticed her eat, but she doesn't look quite as sickly.

I'll keep you updated... perhaps this method will turn out to be more effective than using meds.

 

[shadow]

When I had finrot in my tank, I used Fungus Clear by Jungle, which worked pretty well. Maybe it would work for you. Good luck with your fish and I hope the Platy gets better.

 

[cutechic]

Day 3: 10:30 AM: Netted platy and floated net for 2 minutes in a container filled with 3-4 cups of tank water + 2 tsp. of aquarium salt. At 5pm, platy was laying on its side on the gravel, and was extremely lethargic. When I tried to net her to repeat the salt bath, she started swimming in spirals. Her eyes were bulging, and her stomach had sunken in even more. I decided to euthanize her.

I couldn't bring myself to cut off her head, so I decided to try using alcohol to euthanize her. I put the platy into a container filled with 10 parts water, 1 part vodka (40%). This method is supposed to work within 3 minutes, with 15 minutes being a maximum. However, after 15 minutes I went to bury the fish, and I realised that she was still alive, laying on the bottom of the container. I added the same amount of vodka as before, and waited another 15 minutes. When I returned, she was still alive, lethargically swimming around the container. Her body was turning a red colour, starting at the fins. At this point, I returned to TFF chat to seek counsel. Sinistral told me that I had not added enough vodka to euthanize the fish, so I scooped out most of the water and added a bit more vodka, making the solution 2 parts water to 1 part dilluted vodka. When, after 15 minutes, the fish was still not dead, I added two more tablespoons of vodka. Soon, the fish appeared lifeless, but I had a feeling she was just unconscious. After a few more minutes, I saw that she had died. May she

I finished writing this so that you guys might learn from my mistakes. What could have been a quick, painless death was prolonged for over an hour because of a simple mistake. I now believe that, when used correctly, alcohol can be a very humane way to euthanize one's fish, and I recommend it to anyone who, like me, cannot bring themselves to decapitate a fish.

I don't doubt that salt baths would work to cure fin rot, but only if caught early enough. I think that by the point I started treatment, she was too far gone to be saved. I don't think meds would have been any more effective.

 

[cutechic]

Here are some excerpts from websites that sinistral referred me to. I found them particularly helpful.

http/homepage.ntlworld.com/faustus/nicol.../euthanasia.htm

Alcohol

As pure as possible - vodka, tequila.

The method is that you have the alcohol at the same temperature as the water in your aquarium - the fish is introduced to the alcohol and immediately becomes overwhelmed by it.

Alcohol works like an anesthetic and is at lethal levels. The fish will instantly be paralysed and unconscious, death follows quickly due to respiratory failure.

Recommended for: all fish

Humane rating: 100%

http/www.fishjunkies.com/euthanization.php

Place the fish into a bath containing any of the following:

- Alcohol: 1:5 (20%) solution of any other strong grain neutral alcohol, such as vodka, and water

 

[shadow]

I'm sorry to hear about your fish.

 

[The-Wolf]

You have my condolances CC.
And thank you for posting this story. I have bookmarked it so I can use it if and when the need arises.
I feel for you but think if this post saves just one other fish from a long death then it is well worth it!
little platy

 

[cutechic]

Thanks Shadow and danio.

 

[littleme1969]

Another tried and tested way to put a fish to sleep is crushed ice. Put the fish in a small dish with the iced water , It just goes to sleep due to the cold and fades away very quickly. I know I have used it a few times and the fish seems to be in no distress at all and the end comes very quickly about 5 mins with both my fish.
Sad .. but it has to be done i hate to see things suffer

Sorry to hear about your fish