Something's Wrong With My Green Barb

[Joe.]

I recently returned from a holiday, and noticed that one of my Green Barb's wasn't looking too good. I noticed that it constantly had it's mouth open, looked like it was gulping for air, and was quite thin compared to my other two. At first I thought it was a problem with the ammonia/nitrate levels in my tank, but after observing my other fish, I noticed that none of the others were behaving this way. A few days ago I realised the fish had a strange hole behind it's right gill, a hole that wasn't there when I left. I assumed this was the reason as to why it couldn't close it's mouth, in turn meaning it was unable to eat. It doesn't even remotely look interested in eating when I put food in. It just stays in the top corner of the tank. I honestly don't know what's wrong with it, and if there's anyway it can be fixed. If I don't do anything about it, it will almost certainly die from starvation. Would it be best to just remove it from my tank? Or is that a bad idea considering I would only have two Green Barbs left (and I know they can get quite nippy with other fish if they aren't in schools). I honestly am stuck with this. I've never experienced this problem with any of my other fish, and I've been keeping fish for around 5 years. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

- Joe

 

[slimeneo]

I'm not an expert with fish illnesses, but I would suggest quarantining the affected fish for now.

 

[Blitz]

I would, too, remove the barb from the tank and quarantine him for now. Can you take a picture for us?

Strange hole... is the strange hole red? Could it possibly be Hole-In-The-Head? I'm not expert though, a picture would help.

 

[Joe.]

I'm unable to quarantine the Barb as I don't have a 'Hospital Tank'. Should've probably kept my old one. The strange hole is red, and after looking at it closer I realised that it was actually in front of the gill, not behind it. In between the gill and mouth. Not sure if that makes any difference. Will try and upload a picture, might not be able to as the fish is in the most awkward part of the tank.

 

[Joe.]

This was the best picture I could take. I had to zoom in all the way with my phone camera which is why it's so blurry. The black line indicates where the hole is on the fish.

To me, it looks more like some sort of wound than a disease. But I'm no expert with fish, so I'm not sure. Hope this can help.

Edit: After doing a little research on this Hole-In-The-Head, I found out that it only occurs in Oscars, Discus and other large cichlids. I don't think this is what's wrong with my Green Barb. Also, the holes are a lot more round in shape, and none of them seemed to be red.

 

[WILDER]

Can you enlarge the pic.

It could be a number of things.
Heater burn.
Ulcer.

Ulcer are usually red, or pink, with a circling of dead white tissue around the edges.

Do any of your fish show any of these symtoms -
Flicking and rubbing.
Darting, erratic swimming.
Excess mucas on body or gills.
Laboured breathing.

 

[Joe.]

I came home from school today and the found the fish dead. It didn't show any of the things you mentioned above, it just stayed at the top of the tank. Bit of a mystery really. Thanks for anyone who tried to help. Much appreciated.

 

[LucyB]

I came home from school today and the found the fish dead. It didn't show any of the things you mentioned above, it just stayed at the top of the tank. Bit of a mystery really. Thanks for anyone who tried to help. Much appreciated.

Awh sorry. RIP.

 

[WILDER]

Bless Him.

I would suggest preforming a water change.

Good luck.
If anymore problems don't hesitate getting back to the board.