Hospital Tank Questions

[FoundMoney]

I have a fish that has an eye problem. I think there is something in my tank, fungus, parasite, bacteria, that is affecting the eyes of cockatoo cichlids. I want to try and treat the one fish that is showing symptoms, and maybe more importantly isoloate it from the rest of the tank. Right now it is in a breeder net and the other fish look healthy.

What do I need to set up a hospital or quarrantine tank? What is the minimum size? Can I use anything from my tank to jump start it or do I have to cycle the tank?

Any help is appreciated.

 

[The-Wolf]

to kick start a hospital tank use filter media and substrate(place in a stocking for easy removal) from your existing tank. My hospital tank is 7 gal, but it would depend on the size of fish you require it for.
keep the hospital tank bare bones, just heater and filter, maybe an airstone depending on the illness/treatment. No lights.

I have a small filter running in one of my tanks, that can instantly be used for a hospital tank as and when needed, perhaps that is something you could do for the future

what are the symptoms of the eye problem?
what are your water parameters?
what is the temp?
any other info, will help us help you.

 

[Tolak]

A 10 gallon should be plenty big for that fish. They are common tanks, thus cheap. Depending on the meds you use, a cycled tank may not be needed. Some meds kill the bacteria in the filter, so cycling is meaningless.

You could get by with an uncycled filter if you do 50% water changes daily. Some meds require this. Long ago, before the ammo/NO2/NO3 cycle was understood, people kept aquarium fish alive with large, daily water changes.

Tolak

 

[FoundMoney]

Eyes are cloudy and bulging. Now two fish have the problem so I'm anxious to at least get them quarrantined. One has what looks like a little white bubble in the center of her eye where a pupil should be. the other one's eyes are bulging more but have a cloudy covering over them. It almost looks like it's peeling off a little. I found her this evening in the corner of the tank hiding under some brush.

Water parameters are good: ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 0, pH 7.0. I think I have some kind of bacteria, fungus or parasites in my tank that effects dwarf cichlids.

Edit: temp is 80F

 

[The-Wolf]

ok
try this link for causes and possible cures
http/www.fishyfarmacy.com/fish_diseases/eyes.html

 

[FoundMoney]

I find it really hard to diagnose the fish from descriptions of the disease. My guess right now is that it's a bacterial infection. I haven't seen any signs of parasites but they could have them. Can anyone recommend medication for bacterial nfection? I assume some kind of antibiotic. What would be the effect of antibiotics on the rest of my tank, i.e. shrimp, plants, biological filtration? Is a hospital tank the best solution for the infected fish and will it not matter if it doesn't cycle? I understand the reasoning behind large water changes but won't that negate the effect of the medication?

 

[The-Wolf]

try myxazin by waterlife
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/seaquariums/myxazin.htm

 

[FoundMoney]

Unfortunately, the medication you recommended does not seem to be available in the U.S. Also unfortunately, my two rummy nose tetras seem to have developed Ich. It is very mild right now but I don't want to take any chances.

I have my hospital tank set up now. It's a 5.5 gallon tank, with a small Whisper filter and heater. I took some gravel out of my tank and put it in a mesh bag in the tank. I also used water from my main tank to start the new tank. I'm going to do a water change in it tomorrow.

I now have both rummy noses and both female cockatoos quarrantined. I'm using antibioitics and anti-parasite medication in the tank. So far, I don't see any improvements but it's only day 2. All fish seem to be eating so that's a positive sign.

Going forward, what can I do to mainain my hospital tank? Should I just keep some fish in there at all times so the nitrogen cycle is maintained? I could always put them back in the main tank if I need to medicate other fish. Is there some kind of preventitive steps I should take in this tank for quarrantining new fish? Are there mild medications that I should use or keep salt in the tank to kill parasites?