Red Streaks On Pleco

[TammyLiz]

Last week one of my two pitbull plecs died of unknown causes. Poor baby. He seemed OK one day, and the next he was half eaten.
I've been keeping an eye on the other one and I've noticed red streaks on his light colored underside. I assume its bacterial. I have malachite green, melafix, and pimafix already, but I'm aware I'll probably need to go out and get something else. Does anyone have a reccomendation, or know if the ones I have would work?

Thanks,
Tammy

 

[tttnjfttt]

The red streaks you are seeing are from septcemia, which is a bacterial infection. Septcemia is from internal bleeding, so it is more a symptom of a bacterial infection rather than a specific type of bacteria. Because of this, I would recomend you look for a broad spectrum antibiotic, such as tetracycline or kanamyacin, which are avaliable at most pet stores in the US.

 

[tttnjfttt]

It would also be helpful to know your water stats (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH)

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

As tttnjfttt said, we'll need some recent stats for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates if you have any test kits for those, as septicemia is often caused by stressful conditions or the fish being stressed out in some other way.
Pimafix will probably be your best med for septicemia, regular small water changes will also help- how many gallons is the tank and what and how many fish does it have in it ?

 

[tttnjfttt]

Honestly, i would go out and get something stronger than primafix. In my experience, it is relatively weak, especially for internal infections. Since Tammy is in the USA, i see no reason to not use a stronger antibiotic such as tetracycline or kanamyacin, or a maracyn and maracyn 2 combo.

 

[hatchet lover]

Honestly, i would go out and get something stronger than primafix. In my experience, it is relatively weak, especially for internal infections. Since Tammy is in the USA, i see no reason to not use a stronger antibiotic such as tetracycline or kanamyacin, or a maracyn and maracyn 2 combo.

I just lost aa beautiful hatchet to this ssepricemia. My vet told me today that it is INTERNAL and no amount of EXTERNAL anitbiotic would work. Try and catch the fish and put the meds directly down his mouth with a eye dropper. But my vet told me it is usually fatal as it is hemmorrigac and the fish bleeds to death iside.Just some thoughts.

 

[TammyLiz]

That doesn't sound good . I really like him and would hate to lose him. I've been away all day at my mother in laws since today is mothers day. I'll pick something up to treat it in the morning I guess, and I'll check the water stats. He is in a 10 gallon tank that was supposed to just be quarantine but I've had a lot of things getting in the way of setting up the larger tank. He has been in there since I got him, I think about a month ago. Tankmates are (also supposed to be temporary) 6 diamond tetras. 10 times per hour filtration with my 100gph HOB filter, and weekly 30% water changes with gravel vac. There is driftwood, hornwort, and java moss, too. I think a comfortable setup for a little plec, although now he's lonely. I haven't actually tested lately but I would think the stats should be fine. I'll check. Thanks for the input everyone.