Otto With Red Mouth And Head?

[noodles]

I have 3 ottos, all doing well, except the smallest one, while it seems healthy enough, just noticed today its mouth is ringed with red, looks like blood, also seems to have a sort of red head actually inside it. Any ideas?

 

[tttnjfttt]

sounds like a bacterial infection, probably septcemia. The other thing that crossed my mind was columnaris (aka mouth fungus) becuase while there usually is a little red, there is also a white ring around the mouth, but you can't see that on ottos.

How big is the tank? Have you checked your water stats?

 

[WILDER]

What does the belly look like any red patches.

Does the mouth look red and inflamed, is it bleeding, do you think he could of had an accident, just to be sure.

 

[noodles]

no signs of fungus, and no red anywhere else on the fish. It not swollen, just red, and yes could be bleeding. it is feeding well, swimming fine. havent checked the stats yet, just noticed the symptoms. All the ottos and other fish get on well so no damage from other fish likely.

Its only a 10g tank, contains ember tetras, honey gourami pair, the ottos and some rocket panchax. Everyone else is absolutely fine. its a strange one, One thought i did have was could it have sucked onto the heater and burnt its lips? thats what it looks like!

 

[WILDER]

Does it look like this, and is it possible to get a pic up.
http/www.2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html#ERM

 

[noodles]

Does it look like this, and is it possible to get a pic up.
http/www.2cah.com/pandora/Disease.html#ERM

some lovely pics on there! but no nothing like any of them really! will try a pic.

 

[WILDER]

Does this sound familar but not the writer of it.
loss of appetite
Sluggish movement (Lethargic)
Red mouth and hemorrhages on the belly
Hemorrhages of the mouth and gills
General septicemia with inflammation of the gut
The spleen is often enlarged and can be almost black in color


Enteric Red Mouth Severe congestion and hemorrhage in the head tissues with erosion of the lower jaw being common. The spleen, kidney, and intestine can also be infected.

 

[noodles]

Does this sound familar but not the writer of it.
loss of appetite
Sluggish movement (Lethargic)
Red mouth and hemorrhages on the belly
Hemorrhages of the mouth and gills
General septicemia with inflammation of the gut
The spleen is often enlarged and can be almost black in color

No! none of that at all, swimming normally, eating normally, no other swellings or marks, just this red all the way around the sucker mouth. but cheers for the help!

Guess we will have to wait and see what happens.

 

[WILDER]

Can you issolate the fish, might be an injury for now i would just try some melafix, same as you say he might of burnt his mouth on the heater, i would get a guard for the heater.

 

[noodles]

Good news: It recovered!
Bad news: Another died! It had the classic white patch on back of head I have seen so many times with otto's that then go onto die for no reason!

 

[WILDER]

Is the patch fluffy on the back of the head as it could be columnaris. Glad the other fish is ok, well done.
http/article.discusnews.com/cat-02/columnaries.shtml

 

[noodles]

No its not fluffy, just seems like a pale patch of skin. But could well be that disease. Over the past 10 years I have had a few of my otto's die in this way, maybe its just old age/ general bad health. anyway, have got a few more to join the gang now. and so far so good!

 

[WILDER]

Right good look, white patches on the head can be bacterial or parasite.