My Fish Seem To Have Some Unknown Disease...

[Eines]

About a year ago, I bought a male and a female koi swordtail. A couple months ago, I noticed that the female was very very thin and only half the size of the other fish her age. She also seemed somewhat "anti-social" not hanging around the other swordtails. She was never pregnant. A few weeks ago, I treated my aquarium against worms, thinking that might be the problem, but it didn't help. A week later, she began lying on the floor of the aquarium, and another week or so later, she died. Yesterday, I noticed that my male koi swordtail didn't eat anything. He is a bit thinner than my other fish, so I made a note to watch him and this morning, sure enough, he's lying on the floor of the aquarium!!!! Does anyone have any idea what this could be? There are no outward signs of illness besides lack of appetite. It seems, for some strange reason, that my fish are starving themselves to death! Why isn't this spreading faster? Could it be the petstore I got them from (since they both came from the same place)? Should I treat for worms again? a bacterial infection? He's can't be older than 18 months, what do I do?!

 

[WILDER]

Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph.

What med did you use.
Did you back up with a bacterial med.

Once fish are really skinny the damage has been done. Internal parasites damage the organs of the fish resulting in bacterial infections.

Signs of internal parasites are.
Long stringy white poo or clear mucas poo.,
Fish will look skinny or bloated.
Red inflamed anus, or enlarged anus.
Bent spine sometimes.
Fish will sometimes swim on its side.
Spitting food out.
Not eating sometimes.
Worms prutruding from the anus.

Being really thin can be old age, fish isn't eating enough or stopped eating, internal parasites, fish tb.
External parasites like flukes.

 

[Eines]

Tank: 30g, plenty of airation and filtration
Fish: two angel fish, six female swordtails, one male swordtail, one female platy
NO3: 25 mg/l
NO2: 0

I treated the tank with nematol once about two weeks ago.

The only external sign is not eating and lying on the bottom.

 

[WILDER]

I would add a bacterial med to the tank.
Anti internal bacteria med by interpet.

Sorry you are from germany.
There furanol by jbl but it wipes the benefical bacteria out in the filter.
What bacterial meds can you buy in germany.

 

[Eines]

I have a bottle of bactopur.

 

[WILDER]

I have a bottle of bactopur

What does that treat.

The fish that are not doing so well were they really skinny.
Is there spine bent.

 

[Eines]

it's a bacterial medication that you can get in Germany.

again, his spine seems to be perfectly normal, no white poo, or anything out the ordinary...

 

[WILDER]

What are the ingredients in the med.
Does it say what the med actually treats in the instructions.
Sorry for all the qustions but need to find out if its the right med. Never heard of it.
Try looking the med up but it was written in german.

 

[Eines]

hey, thanks for the help, I really appreciate it. it says it's for internal bacterial infections, pop-eye, outer bacterial infections, bloody spots, white rims on fins...

I think any meds will come to late at this stage anyway. He's lying on his side now...I doubt he has long to live. This is just torture...

 

[WILDER]

Not good I agree. The med might be to late.
Add the med to the tank but make sure it dosn't wipe the benefical bacteria out in the filter.
Good Luck.

 

[Eines]

wait...the ingredients say it has acriflaviniumchloride and methylthioninlumchloride? does that help?

 

[WILDER]

No.
Never heard of them. They don't sound like antibiotics.
Do a search on the indgredients.

Once you used and internal wormer and they the wormer dosn't state it treats bacterial infections. You then have to treat for bacterial infections which internal parasites cause.


The third type of infection produced by Aeromonas is by no means the least. This form is often the most virulent (potent) and can be rapidly fatal. This insidious form does not produce any noticeable external ulcers. The most notable feature is a behavioral change in which the infected fish generally become listless and lethargic. Some fish may lose color or appear darker. The fish do not feed, frequently seem off balance and may sink to the bottom laying on their sides. The course of the disease is rapid, and by the time the behavioral changes are noticed, the entire population of a tank may succumb, sometimes in a day or so. This is an internal infection, with the bacteria being found in the kidneys and blood of these fish. The bacteria produce potent toxins that account for the severity of the disease.



Did you treat for the internal parasites camallanous worms.
Camallanus



Symptoms:

When the fish is stationary, deep red worms can be seen protruding from the anal pore. They are only visible when the fish is still because the worms retreat into the intestine at the fish’s slightest movement. Other signs may include an inflamed and enlarged anus. In severe infestations, the fish may become emaciated and spinal curvature may also occur.



Cause:

The parasitic worms Camallanus Cotti and Camallanus lacustris. These small, livebearing parasitic worms attach to the intestinal walls and rectum with pinchers. The worm’s grip is so tight that any attempts to remove it forcibly will rip away tissue from the intestinal wall. The worm’s pinching causes ischemia (reduced blood flow) to that part of the intestine. In time, the tissue to that part of the intestine will die, at which time the worm will migrate to another part of the intestine. This causes perforations throughout the intestine, which allows other pathogens to gain entry. If the fish is not treated, either the parasite or bacterial will kill the fish. Camallanus infestations occur most often in livebearing fish such as Guppies and Mollies, though infection is possible in all fish. Camallanus infestations are contagious. All fish, including those not yet showing visible symptoms, as well as the aquarium, should be treated.



Treatment:

Treat with Internal Parasite Guard, Pipzine, Disco-Worm, Trichlorfon or Fluke-Tabs as well as a medicated food to prevent a bacterial infection.

 

[Eines]

thanks a lot, that was very useful. I'm definately going to give it a shot and see what happens. thanks again!

 

[WILDER]

Good Luck.

 

[Eines]

Unfortunately he died before I could even prepare the meds. It's just...it was so sudden. Two days ago, he was fine. *sigh* He'll be missed. He fathered many beautiful fish.