Fish Diseases

[jonny-5]

hi all,i recently had an overstocking issue which has now been rectified but in my tank ive noticed some of the red eyed tetras have a white spotty type fungus around mouths and some on there bodys,ive recently lost 3 lyre tail guppys,1 zebra danio and 2 glowlight tetras which were all feeding and swimming then suddenly went dark in colour and just died few hours later.I have a 4ft x 2ft-48 gallon tank with fluval 4 and fluval 2 filters,temp is always 26oc,nitrite is 0,p.h is 6.8 and nitrate is 10ppm,i have all types of tropical species in there and do a 25% water change weekly.Am currently using interpet no 9 anti internal bacteria treatment but havnt noticed any change in my fishes infections.Any ideas what treatment to use if anything different and what the disease could possibly be please

 

[WILDER]

Sadly it sounds like columnaris a bacterial infection, which they can darker in colour with.
http/article.discusnews.com/cat-02/columnaries.shtml

 

[tttnjfttt]

This sounds like columnaris. "fungus" is often a bacterial infection. Best bet to cure it is antibacterial meds (i've heard of people from the UK crushing up som of their old antibiotics because my understanding is the interpet stuff is pretty weak (I'm in the US). Also, if you don't have any scaleless fish, you can add some salt which will help. Turn down the temperature in the tank, as this bacteria thrives in warm water, but don't go more tan 1* C per day. Ideally, get the temperature down to 70-72 F (not sure about the celsius comversion).

Here is a link for you with more info. http/www.flippersandfins.net/flexibacter.htm

 

[WILDER]

If you can increase aeration i would also add half a dose of anti finrot and fungus med by interpet as well, if the bacteria med it not working on it's own.

 

[jonny-5]

ok thanks guys i do have a fungal tretment could this possibly help? aswell as the anti internal stuff? thanks in advance

 

[tttnjfttt]

It is definately bacterial. I would do the med treatment Wilder suggested. She is from the UK and familiar with the meds avaliable over there.

 

[WILDER]

Columnaris soon can kill fish and a tank full of them if the strain is bad, so if the bacteria med is not working on it's own add half a dose of fungus and finrot med, but you will have to increase aeration with having two meds in the tank, keep an eye on water stats,Good luck.

 

[jonny-5]

i did take wilders advice anyway ,ive increased aeriation for starters,but can only find some Tetra Fungi stop,hmm maybe have to wait till tomorrow! Another 4 will be dead by then im sure of it

 

[WILDER]

See in the uk we can't get antibiotics so we have to mix two meds for columnaris as sometimes one dosn't seem to work by it's self, i would add the tetra fungus med then if they are in bad shape as it will only get worse, but only half dose for now.

 

[jonny-5]

thanks wilder,will do it now and let you know if it was successful or not.....watch this space btw i feel happier already,anythings worth a try at this stage

 

[WILDER]

Watch them very carefully i hate doing this, as some fish can't tolerate two meds but they sound bad and alot of fishkeepers have to do it.

Also reduce temp by two degrees as this desease thrives in warmer tempretures.

 

[jonny-5]

ive dropped the temp by 1oc will do it another 1oc tomorrow so they dont get to stressed,already had a lemon tetra die in the last hour it was fine at tea time even had bloodworms as a treat and then it goes and dies

 

[WILDER]

Or bless him sorry. R.I.P.

 

[jonny-5]

tank seems stable at this stage,even the affected fish seem to be happy,all dashing around and chasing each other......not had any more casualtys since last nite...touch wood and thank god,will just have to see what happends in next few days my tank is just short of 25oc(not quite 24 & not quite 25oc) but am little worried that my neons will suffer cos i was told its a little cool for them???

 

[WILDER]

They should be fine, if they go pale turn it up again, not out of the woods yet, might have to redose the meds again when they get better just to make sure it has gone completely, good luck.