Help Save Dylan The Cory!

[tintin]

Hope you can help.

I've been away for a couple of days and came back last night to see Dylan, my 4 year old Cory (sp. Sterbai) in a bad way.

Attached is a photo of how he's looking right now. In terms of movement, he's very unstable and not swimming about. His gills seem to be working overtime. Its not too clear from the photo but his skin is either peeling away or has a 'whispy' coating. Not sure which. He's also pale in colour. I can also see streaks of blood showing through his skin.

In terms of treatment, my immediate reaction was to use a fungus treatment (Interpret no. 8) and gave a full dose last night after doing a 25% water change. Now in the light of day, i'm wondering if its slime/velvet but am obivously concerned about the meds already in the tank. I also put in a dose of melafix this afternoon in the vague hope it might help.

No other fish appear to be showing signs of disease but it does look like I've also lost a 2 small tetras.

Can anyone help with a proper diagnosis, and possible route to cure? I would hate to lose this little guy without a fight.

TT.

Current p-rams:

Nitrite: 0mg/l
Nitrate: 25mg/l
ph value: 7.2

 

[WILDER]

He's in a bad way he has septicemia.
They can heavy breath with bacterial infections.
The skin peeling can be bad water quality, bacterial to parasites.
Is there excess slime build up on his skin.

 

[Colin_T]

it looks like excess mucous which is normally caused by poor water quality, quite often caused by too much fish food breaking down in the water and producing ammonia.
You mention you have just returned from afar, did someone look after the fish for you?

It is not velvet.
If the ammonia level is 0 then it could be caused by a skin parasite and bacterial infection. The red area being the bacterial infection. Waterlife Potozin can be used for these problems assuming the water is fine.

 

[tintin]

To clarify, I was only away for a couple of days so it was just a case of them not being fed while I wasn't there. The tank had a major clean 2 weeks ago and I do 25% water changes every 2 weeks so I'm confused as to the poor water quality - the only change from the norm being that I added some charcoal media in the filter as the water was a bit cloudy. This was removed last night when I did the water change. Unfortunately, the test strips I have don't test for Ammonia so can't give those stats.

Given that I put in a full dose of Interpet no. 8 last night, what are my options? I have internal bacteria med no.9 in the house. Would that help? How long do I have to wait before I can add additional meds? Would another water change tonight help any?

 

[WILDER]

Once fish have septicemia its hard to cure once it has progressed.
I would try the anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

 

[tintin]

What would you suggest, Wilder - do another 25% water change tonight to dilute the fungus meds then do a dose of no. 9?

 

[WILDER]

Colin says there excess slime on the cory is this correct.
Is the cory trying to rub himself on the subrate or glass.
Do a water change and add the interpet anti internal bacteria med.

 

[tintin]

Its hard to tell but it could certainly be excess slime (not had to deal with this before.) Don't think it is fungus as I first thought. But no, he's not rubbing or flicking. In fact, he's not doing much of anything (apart from the rapid breathing.)

Will do the water change and the meds now.

 

[WILDER]

Increase aeration.
Not sounding good with the rapid breathing, so good luck.

 

[tintin]

Dylan passed away during the night.

TT.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry bless him R.I.P.