My Baby... Fin Rot? More?

[Starfirefly26]

Last night, my Red Wag platy was perfectly fine....
This morning...most of her tail is gone and theres a large white area on her body, looks kinda fungusy. Is this Tail/Fin rot? I put Maracyn-Two in, and I am about to isolate her.

I'm so very scared...will she live? Will the others be all right?

 

[WILDER]

The areas on the body does it look fluffy, i would increase aeration and add some maracyn one as well.
If you can issolate her do you have any tetracycline.
Your'e about to issolate her, i would go in with tetracycline if you have it.

 

[Starfirefly26]

The closest to isolation I can do is a breeding trap...I haven't had the cash to set up a new tank altogether.
Would the Tetracycline hurt the other fish any?

The spot does seem a tad puffy.

(thanks for the fast reply, btw...I'm here refreshing the page as I fret over my little girl)

 

[tttnjfttt]

It sounds like columnaris. I agree with wilder, either add maracyn or swithc to tetracycline or kanacyn. Also, adding aquarium salt can help. Once you have all the antibiotics added, you can slowly increase the temperature to help make the antibiotics more effective.

 

[WILDER]

Maracyn one and two then, as antibiotics will wipe most of the bacteria off in the filter, good luck.

Maracyn
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for gram-positive bacterial infections. For infections of columnaris (body fungus), fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, and secondary infections.
Active ingredient: Erythromycin.


Maracyn–Two
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for internal or external gram negative bacterial infections which can even be absorbed through the skin. Effective treatment of fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, dropsy (swollen body, protruding scales), septicemia (bleeding or red streaks on the body), secondary and internal infections. Effective even when fish won't eat.
Active ingredient: Mincycline hydrochlor.

 

[Starfirefly26]

I can find Tetracycline/Kanacyn in the fish area, right?
The LFS might have some medications...they say they're still selling a few items despite the fire...

 

[tttnjfttt]

Most LFS will cary these meds. I would either add the Maracyn or the kanacyn to the tank because the tetracycline can damage the beneficial bacteria.

 

[Starfirefly26]

I added two packets of Maracyn-Two (as per instructions) and will get ready and grab whichever I can. Are they both just as effective?

 

[WILDER]

You do need the maracy one, as you have to use both with columnaris.

 

[tttnjfttt]

all of the ones we have talked about are good antibiotics. I would be hesitant wiht the tetracycline, since it can damage the filter and also some bacteria are beginning to develop resistance to it. Kanacyn is my favorite broad spectrum antibiotic.

 

[Starfirefly26]

And before I go (since I need to pick up other things) how would I go about disinfecting aquarium equipment? I know you can clean off things like baby bottles by boiling it, but I don't see that as too great for a net or breeding trap.

Would a high-volume water change help? (I can't do a full water change easily...too many fry to catch...I can just take my chances with a water change)

 

[WILDER]

You should do water changes on a tank with columnaris, but it won't help the sick fish she needs meds.

http/article.discusnews.com/cat-02/columnaries.shtml

 

[Starfirefly26]

Yeah, I want to prevent the others from coming down with it, mostly. That's about all I will probably acheive with water changes.

I also read that I need to disinfect the equipment (I will probably clean the ornaments, too)

I really admire her, though...she's still got her fins raises high and moves around actively when I get near...

I won't do the changes soon...but how long after I add the meds should I wait?

 

[WILDER]

Just hot boiling salty water for the equipment, just follow the instruction on the meds for water changes.

 

[Starfirefly26]

Thank you very much for the quick replies. I've got the medicine going through, and hopefully she will get better.

With any luck when she gets better her tail will regrow fast.