pinkish red sore

[tttnjfttt]

One of my tiger barbs has a pink/red sore right above his mouth. It is about the size of his eye. All my fish have been on edge today because of several small earthquakes, so its hard to say what other symptoms are from earthquake stress or what symptoms are realated to the spot. This particular fish is paler than tankmates, and was hesitant to eat, but he eventually joined in the feeding frenzy. He has also been less active than the rest.

Water Stats
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
pH - 7.4 controlled with sodium biphospate, switching to CO2 tomorrow
Nitrate - 15 (taken yesterday)
GH - 4 (yesterday)
KH - 6 (yesterday)

Tankmates - there are 7 tiger barbs and 5 zebra danios in a 20 gal, plenty of open space (front half of tank has NO plants or decorations)

As of right now, I have put the fish into a quarentine tank with salt and melafix. Should I do anything else? What could be the cause of this spot? I'm not seeing any fungus growing on this sore yet.

 

[tttnjfttt]

I tried to take pictures of once the fish was settled in, but was too active to get anything clear.

 

[tttnjfttt]

bump??? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

How long has he had the sore? Does it look inflamed/raised and what is his behavior like- is he lethargic, flicking and rubbing himself on tank objects, not eating well or anorexic, is he breathing rapidly etc? Is he showing any other symtoms and would you say the sore looks more of a desease thing or a wound from a fight with another barb? Tiger barbs can be quite agressive towards each other and wounds aern't that uncommon amounst them from fights...

 

[tttnjfttt]

The sore looks indented. I think the best way I can describe it is it looks like one spot of road rash. (Think of a kids skinning their knee). I haven't seen him scratching on anything. He does seem less interested in food. Yesterday, he hung back for a while instead of joining in the feeding frenzy. Today it also took him about a minute to start eating. Usually this fish is jumping at the surface before I put the food in the tank.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Does the redness look anything like it does on this fish?;

http/www.fishpalace.org/septicemia_markdelgrosso.jpg

 

[tttnjfttt]

nope, it looks like a small, indented open sore. Almost like some The site you took the pix from is one of my favorite fish disease sites because of all the pix, and it doesn't look like anything on that site.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Its probably a wound from a fight the barb has been in, treat him with some Melafix for the time being but keep a close eye out for any changes in his behavior or changes in the sore and how the other barbs are behaving towards him

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, I'll do that.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Thanks for your help!

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Don't worry about it, glad to help

 

[Inchworm]

Hi tttnjfttt

The sore you describe could also be an ulceration caused by a bacterial infection. If so, the MelaFix might do a good job with it, but if you don't see an improvement in a day or two, I would suggest you treat it with Kanamycin or Tetracycline.

The important thing to consider is that if the cause is bacterial, your other fish could come down with the same or other symptoms. Just do regular good water changes and keep an eye on things, especially if your weather is warmer than usual.

 

[tttnjfttt]

Will do! thanks for the input