Please Advise

[eve833]

I am new to the forum and would certainly appreciate any help with a sick tiger barb. I have checked the water parameters and they are good. Water temp is 77 F. I have a 50 gal tank that has4 tiger barbs, 5 neon tetras, 1 black molly, 1 small male sword tail, 2 clown loaches and 2 med. size female angel fish. I have been keeping fish for about 6 years and have have very few problems and only an occasional loss of fish. I also have a 30 gal tank. I just noticed that the tiger barb mouth is very swollen. I didn't notice it last night nor today when I fed them this morning. I changed out 10% of the water about 5 days ago. The barbs have been doing some head standing and I know that is supposed to be sign of nitrate poisoning but I have tested almost daily. I am going out of town on Friday and need to know what I can do to start treating now. I live in a rural area with one pet shop that also has fish but no experts. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Eve

 

[WILDER]

Has the barb knocked his mouth on something in the tank.
You will need a bacterial med.

 

[scorphonic]

I'm guessing here but it may be an internal bacterial problem, if the mouth is swollen then its possible to be internally related, do you have any way to seperate this fish from the others to give it some peace and quiet to give it a fighting chance to gather itself??

If I were you I would find a general medication that can treat for bacterial and fungal infections just to cover those two possibilities. Also I wouldn't feed a sick fish too much, cut back on their food and this may help with their immune response to whatever may be wrong with it.

 

[WILDER]

I agree it is bacterial fish can get sores or ulcers in there mouths as well.
Need to get the swelling down, fish mouths can soon rot away.
Good luck.

 

[scorphonic]

I agree it is bacterial fish can get sores or ulcers in there mouths as well.
Need to get the swelling down, fish mouths can soon rot away.
Good luck.

Seriously??

Wouldn't want to see that!!

Best of luck with the fish eve.

 

[eve833]

I agree it is bacterial fish can get sores or ulcers in there mouths as well.
Need to get the swelling down, fish mouths can soon rot away.
Good luck.

Seriously??

Wouldn't want to see that!!

Best of luck with the fish eve.

Thanks so much to each of you for your advice. Been working many hours so haven't responded as quickly as I should have. I have to leave town tomorrow and unfortunately the lady who keeps our other critters will feed and do what she can but would not feel at all comfortable treating a sick fishy. I have been treating with erythromycin and have done water changes as directed. Seems some better. Sure hate to leave. Thanks so much for the advice and I will update when I return (in about 8 days)
Eve

 

[eve833]

I'm so clumsy at this...but I hope my reply got through and if not please over look my lack of skill. Short version...I treated with erythromycin. Doing some better. I have to leave town and will update as soon as I return. Thanks to each of you. Hadn't seen anything like that before. It is a comfort to know someone is out there and cares.
Eve