My Zebra Danios Is Ill

[dgwebster]

Stats:

PH: 6.8
NH3: 0ppm
NO2: 0ppm
NO3: 5ppm
Tank temp: 23C

20US Gallon tank.

Aerator: Hydor Colour 2

Filter: Fluval 2 (contains active carbon.)

Planted with real plants.

Tank inhabitants: 6 Zebra Danios, purchased last sunday (no other tank mates)

This tank was completed on a fishless cycle, with 90% water change at the end of it.

Treatments added to water: Inerpet Flora Boost.
Nutrafin Aqua+ dechloronator

Last water change: 48 hours ago at 25%.

symptons first noticed: 60 hours ago, with lethargic response from this fish and "gasping" symptons.

habits:

there has been a show of fish (all zebra danios) chasing others, usually playful looking stuff (my dogs were alot rougher), however often this fish that has taken to lazing about seems to get "picked" on and chased.

The gills (outside) look normal. Inside, look like salmon pink, though maybe a bit red. None of the others look any different.

The one that appears ill did some tail standing without moving at the bottom of the tank. Made my mother think it was actually dead. However it was moving about fine when i got home.

All items seem to point to water quality/poisening. but the water stats are showing totally great and there has been no other contaminant coming from the tank.

*Update as of this morning: The fish in concern has grown a white growth around its top right lip, going into the mouth and it does appear to be of a "fine thread" looking type fungus - this fish is no longer opening and closing its mouth, remaining open.

My suspicion is The bacterium Flexibacter columnaris, but i'd like opinion before i go trying to treat. Also, as the only inhabitants of the tant and risk of this one spreading, would it make sense to remove the active carbon and treat the entire tank for the fungus (if it is this)?

EDIT: Link to Previous Post: [URL="http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=124970"]http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=124970[/URL]

 

[The-Wolf]

I concur on your diagnosis of columnaris.
I would treat with FMG by nt labs at he dose of 1ml per 30litre (consecutivly for five days), or myxazin by waterlife products as directed on the bottle.

as with all medicating, the removal of active carbon and or zeolite is essential as it will absorb the meds almost as soon as you put them in the water.

to confirm yes you need to treat the entire tank.

 

[dgwebster]

sadly non of the items you mention are in my local store, but i did manage to get my hands on Interpet Fungas treatment, suitable for fin rot, mouth rot etc and specifically mentioned the columnaris.

Sadly however, about 20 minutes after adding the treatment, this fish in question has died. The others are still not exhibiting any similar symptoms, but im going to run the treatment anyway.

Many thanks for your help, will post any changes with the other fish.

 

[WILDER]

If the red gills are not through poor watr quality you could have gill flukes, signs of gill flukes are gasping, or laboured breathing, flicking and rubbing, any of these signs, also if you have a mouth fungus as well which is columnaris.
If you used the fish to cycle the tank it could be he reason for the red gills a well, as you can damage the gills with the ammonia and nitrites in the water.

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

 

[dgwebster]

It was a fishless cycle, as detailed above.

there was the gasping effect, but no rubbing what-so-ever. i think that this may be from the bacteria growth possibly starting in the mouth area, reducing the flow through it, but sadly where it could not be seen untill it had developed severly.

If there is one thing, its that i have learned alot more about diagnosing fish illness than i ever have in reading it. actually trying to do it is so much more difficult.

 

[WILDER]

If there is no rubbing then that's fine it the columnaris causing it just wanted to make sure, not the writer of this information below.
Columnaris (a.k.a. Mouth Fungus)



Symptoms:

An infected fish will have off-white to gray cotton-like patches on the head, fins, gills, body and particularly the mouth. In time, these areas will develop into open sores. Gill swelling may occur, gill filaments may stick together and excessive mucus may develop in the gill area. Rapid breathing can be seen. Fins may deteriorate to the point of leaving the fin rays bare. Muscles may be inflamed and capillaries may rupture. Fish, particularly livebearers, may exhibit "shimmying". Infection may be acute (killing an infected fish within hours), or chronic (lingering for several days before eventually killing the fish). As with most diseases, not all symptoms need be present.



Cause:

The bacterium Flexibacter columnaris.



Treatment:

Ensure that your water conditions (e.g., Ammonia, Nitrite, pH, Nitrate levels, and water temp.) are within their proper ranges. If not, perform a water change and/or treat the water accordingly. Recommended medications include: Furanace, Fungus Eliminator, Fungus Cure, Furacyn, Furan-2, Triple Sulfa, E.M. Tablets, Tetracycline, or Potassium Permanganate. Medicated foods are also recommended. Columnaris can be highly infectious and may quickly kill all aquarium inhabitants; therefore, early treatment is essential. All fish, including those not yet showing visible symptoms, as well as the aquarium they inhabit should be treated.

 

[dgwebster]

many thanks.

The treatment has been added, and the instructs say to leave for a week then do a 30% water change and then add some carbon back into your filter.

I was to be adding some neons before i head to the states next week, but i think now i will just hold off on that one.

 

[WILDER]

If the desease hasn't gone, just do the water change and repeat the med, good luck, yes hold of buying more fish for now.