Sick Golden Algae Eater

[Spooky76]

Hey people,

I bought a golden algae eater about 3 weeks ago. Hes been in my main tank about 2 weeks and been fine. This evening I have noticed that he is not his normal colour, hes got dark pathces all over him and the back of his gills look redder than normal. He doesnt look well at all.

Also just noticed what looks like a red sore over his left gill, like an red indentation...

tank is as my siggy.
I have put a new male guppy in recently...but hes very placid.
Ammonia 0
Nitrate < 0.3mg/l
Nitrate 5 mg/l

Other fish seem fine.

I do have a quarantine tank I could use for him.

Can anybody give me an idea as to what it could be and how I can treat it ?

Thanks

 

[*Fishkies*]

I would separate him as a pre-caution for now. Is there any way you could attach a picture?

 

[Spooky76]

OK, I will try and catch him, hes a bit quick though

Tried to get a picture but he tends to stick around the back of the tank sucking on the glass so its hard. I will try.

 

[*Fishkies*]

Check out these sites below to see if any of the images look like what he may have.

Flukes

Body Fungus

Fish Disease Chart

 

[WILDER]

He has a bacterial infection but the sores can be caused by parasites any flicking and rubbing, or heavy breathing.


http/www.okanagankoi.com/Flukes.htm

 

[Spooky76]

Im struggling to get a picture....sorry

The best way I can describe it is like its small bruises all over his body stopping around the gills. Then there is a red sore just above his left gill..

Can you recommend any treatments ? I know my LFS stocks all the interpet ones..

thanks

 

[WILDER]

Go in with a good bacterial med, is there any redness to the bruising like bleeding beneath the skin.

 

[Spooky76]

Hi Wilder, sorry for late reply.

It doesnt look like blood under the skin, it looks like someone has rubbed it in mud thats dried now...if thats any help..

The red mark is still there this morning.

I have tried to take a picture again, cant get him at the moment.

 

[moey23q]

I'm an amateur, but for a start i suggest putting a teaspoon of melafix. Just to keep him going until you find a cure.

 

[WILDER]

So did it look brown but crusty dried out look.
Any flicking and rubbing going off in the tank.

 

[Spooky76]

Wilder, no rubbing or anything out of the ordinary. Only the red sore, which doesnt seem to bother it.

I asked the people I bought it from today and they said that it 'should' change colour. They do when they are young. They change from golden to grey/black colour as they become adult - you learn something new everyday.

They also suggested that I put some melafix in for the red sore - would you agree ?

thanks

 

[WILDER]

To be honest don't rate melafix one bit.
Not sure on your location uk anti internal bacteria med by interpet.
States maracyn plus.
Sores can soon turn into holes so get treating.
Good luck.

 

[Spooky76]

I have spoken to my LFS. Theyve given me some Interpet No 7 for bacterial infections.
Thanks for your help.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.