Myxobacteriosis

[Miss Dib Dabs]

One of my betta girls appears to have Myxobacteriosis. She has black marks on her head and on one side of her mouth and a small amount on her back. She's fine in every other way and is eating and active but no matter what I've tried I cannot get rid of this from her and it is slowly getting worse. I don't want to lose her so I'm asking to find out if anyone here know what I can give her to cure this. I've heard of Phenocide for treating it but wouldn't have a clue where I could get it from.
All help really appreciated thanks.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

Here is some info on what you think it is, not the writer of this information below.

Myxosporidiosis



Symptoms:

Fish exhibit numerous white cysts on the skin and gills. Cysts can become very large causing the skin overlying the gills to swell, which will prevent the fish from getting enough oxygen. Because this disease affects the gills, fish may be seen at the surface, acting like they can't get enough air. In severe infestations, the fish may bloat up, with tumor-like protrusions and eventually die.



Cause:

The myxosporidean parasite Henneguya.



Treatment:

This disease is fairly difficult to treat. Increased aeration in combination with merbromin baths is the only current method for treatment.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Hmmm odd. The info I got about it was very different....
*Also not the writer of the below....*

Myxobacteriosis
Symptoms: Symptoms may include black patches on the body and fins. The body may become bloated or swollen in some areas.
Treatment: As far as I know, there is only one medication designed specifically for myxobacteriosis--Phenocide by Aquatronics.

Information: This infection is rather uncommon but fairly easy to treat. Its probability is intensified by overcrowding and poor water quality with high levels of ammonia and / or nitrites.

Although there's no water quality or overcrowding problems I'm thinking it could stem back to her previous tank where they were overcrowded. I did keep the tank clean of course but even so. Naturally there is no levels of ammonia or nitrItes either! But the symptoms certainly look like those described.
Hugs,
P.

Edit:I think you have a different disease there. Similar type name but very different symptoms etc.

 

[WILDER]

Black patches also can be ammonia burns that are healing, how long have you had her.

Another source but same info, not the writer of this information below.
Internal Protozoal Diseases



1) Henneguya (Blister disease, Myxosporidiosis)



A. Myxosporidean parasite (6 Henneguya sp.)with two polar capsules and a long tail like extension of the spore shell.



B. Problem in many cultured freshwater fish; channel catfish can be heavily infected.



C. Clinically, fish are presented with numerous white cysts on the skin and gills. Cyst can become very large. Cysts may lead to gill epithelial hyperplasia leading to anoxia. Interlamellar forms may cause some necrosis of gills and occasional death. Treating affected fish with chemotherapeutic agents is usually ineffective and may cause more deaths.



D. The life cycle is unknown. It is felt that a mud worm (Oligochaete sp.) is involved in an indirect life cycle with asexual and sexual stages in the mud worm and catfish.



E. Henneguya exilis kudo was once believed to be the cause of Proliferative Gill Disease. However, recent evidence suggests that the interlamellar form of the parasite which evokes a serious inflammatory response is probably due to another myxosporidean (Aurantiactinomyxo sp. or the extrasporogenic stage of the myxozoan Sphaerospora ictaluri).

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I've had her about 6-7 months? So it isn't ammonia burns. This is the only thing I can find that seems to be what she has. None of the other girls she lives with have any symptoms of anything at all and are all healthy, active fish. They are in a big tank now and all the fish therein are also healthy and happy. I really don't know what could have brought on this in her. And being that there seems to be a major lack of info or remedies for it I'm worried it will progress further and kill her prematurely. She's a beautiful girl and I love her dearly.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry i've been fetching the wrong info up, got the names mixed up so take no notice of them, done a search and yes they do say it is that black patches and swollen bellies.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Nicely timed. She doesn't have a swollen belly (apart from the eggs she's carrying), just the black patches. Just want to know if I can get something I can treat her with or if there's something I can do.
Hugs,
P.

 

[black angel]

Do you often check your ammonia level as black patches and no swelling can be melanophore migration.

 

[WILDER]

According to this it's a bacterial infection, not the writer of this information.
This could be a bacterial infection called myxobacteriosis caused by overcrowding and high levels of ammonia and nitrites in the water. There are medicines available at the store for this infection. Be sure to test the water for ammonia and nitrites.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

I think tomorrow I will do a large scale water change (although I have already done a smaller one just a few days ago) and treat with bacterial meds.
The ammonia level is as close to zero as tests show as is the nitrItes. The only change was moving from the previously smaller and slightly overcrowded tank to this one but even there it was over filtered and ammonia/nitrite was minimal. Maybe she's just more susceptable to the disease/infection.....come to think of it I did add the young cories a few weeks ago....I wonder if they brought in the infection. They are all fine and healthy but it makes me wonder if it tipped the balance somehow.
Anyway, will do the change tomorrow at approx 50% and treat acoordingly. Hopefully she will improve.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck keep us all up dated.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Tank all pristine and meds in. Only time will tell now. She still seems happy and highly active.
Hugs,
P.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck miss dib dabs.

 

[WILDER]

Founds some more info for you but not the writer of it.
How to Check Your Fish for Bacteria and Fungus

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




If your fish appear to be sick, check for the following symptoms of bacteria and fugus infections.




Steps:
1. See if the fish appears sluggish, hides, is not eating, has a swollen body (dropsy), red spots, red streaks or is bleeding on its body. These are all signs of an internal bacterial infection. One of the most common symptoms is dropsy, where the body bulges at the sides and stomach and the scales may even be forced to stick out. Bulging eyes, or "pop eye," is a common symptom of an internal bacterial infection.

2. Watch to see if the fish sinks to the bottom of the tank or floats at the very top of the water, but is not dead. This could be a swim bladder disorder commonly caused by bacteria. Head-standing, laying flat, floating upside-down or sideways, or poorly coordinated swimming are also signs.

3. Look for black patches on the fins and body along with body swelling. This is a bacterial infection called myxobacteriosis.

4. Watch for small black specks on the fish's body. Black spot, or diplopstomiasis, often occurs after the addition of new fish to the tank.

5. Suspect fin rot if the fins are whitish and ragged. Fungal and bacterial infections may also cause cottony white patches on the edges of the fins. Fungal fin rot often follows damage from an aggressive tankmate. Bacterial fin rot is similar, but not cottony. It's very contagious and can also be caused by poor water quality.

6. Look for a white or gray material covering just the eyes. This is an eye fungus.

 

[Miss Dib Dabs]

Update. She's doing well! I've been treating the tank with melafix and pimafix this past week with a few days break put in, along with a fair number of small water changes throughout the week. The marks have lessened and those further along her body have gone completely. She still has a bit around one side of her mouth although even this has lessened compared to how it was. This was the worst effected area.
I'm going to add one more dose of the meds tomorrow after a water change, having not dosed today and then keep up the water changes over the week as I did last week and see how she goes. She's bright and cheery and one of the more active of the bettas in the tank, thankfully this hasn't changed. I'm more concerned as to adding much more med and it's reaction for the other tank members! Hence tomorrow being the last dose for at least a week.
On a slight down note Teelie, the betta ladies tank leader, has cateracts. She can still see currently but they've been coming on for a while now, poor girl. It's not stopped her being the boss so far nor being active and eating like a proverbial pig. Just makes it feel like it's a never ending battle against the odds sometimes.
Hugs,
P.