Sore Angel

[xamy_valox]

Hi there,
I have posted about this previously but haven't had much response.
Last week I noticed a small 'hole' or sore behind my Angel's eye. I have been treating the tank with Melafix ever since, however it doesn't seem to be having any effect.
The sore has become larger and redder, and although it doesn't seem to be bothering it at all (still eating, still swimming about as normal) I'm concerned that it might become infected or become fatal for my poor fishy!
Here is a pic of what it was like before:

And how it is now:

My water levels are fine, and I have been doing 50% changes weekly to ensure I am keeping the water as clean as possible.
The only other treatments I have to hand are Melafix, Pimafix or King British Disease Clear.
Any ideas? I'm really worried =[

Oops! Can someone move this to fish emergencies? I have no idea how I managed to post it here!!

 

[Chad]

Sorry your post didn't get moved to emergencies sooner!

Can you tell me more about the tank? What other fish? How old is it, size etc. Also are you running carbon?

I like Melafix but it doesn't really cure it just helps prevent infection so using it won't necessarily make the hole go away.

 

[WILDER]

furanol 2 by JBL.
I wouldn't add the med to the main tank due to it wiping the good bacteria out in your filter.

Anti internal bacteria med by interpet
Esha 2000
Myxazin by waterlife.

The other 3 meds mentioned above are fine for mild bacteria infections.

 

[WILDER]

Ulcer Disease

Symptoms:

Fishes presenting with large red open lesions, ulcers or sores on the body have ulcer disease. Other symptoms may also include eroding flesh, reddening at the base of the fins and vent, and the fish may also experience a loss of appetite and darkening of color.


Cause:

Internal bacterial infection caused by Aeromonas and Pseudomonas. This disease is most often seen in fish that have been kept under poor conditions or recently imported.


Treatment:

Check your water conditions to ensure that they are within the optimal ranges for the type of fish you are keeping. If not, perform an immediate water change. Ulcer Disease is highly contagious, therefore the entire tank and all fish, even those not yet showing symptoms, should be treated. Treatment with Kanacyn, Furacyn, or Nitrofura-G are recommended.

Fish+Diseases.Net

 

[lolobunnz]

Hole in the head and lateral line disease (holes along the center line on tge sides of the body) have sometimes been thought to be caused perhaps by having heater or filter plugged in to where it is not grounded. If you can, mske sure the outlets are propperly grounded.

 

[Chad]

Hole in the head and lateral line disease (holes along the center line on tge sides of the body) have sometimes been thought to be caused perhaps by having heater or filter plugged in to where it is not grounded. If you can, mske sure the outlets are propperly grounded.

This is why I asked about carbon. Advanced Aquarist Online reported on a study that showed certain kinds of carbon are linked to HLLE.

 

[xamy_valox]

Things have gone from bad to much much much worse!! Not necessarily my Angel as that seems much the same, however now my other fish are dropping like flies.
I had one of my GBR's die yesterday, and today within the last hour I have had 3 ruby barbs and a platy die. I watched them and they seem like they just don't know what to do with themselves, swimming in circles quite frantically and then eventually just sinking to the ground.

I did a water change on monday evening and since then it seems to be very cloudy? I put this down to all the melafix I have been putting in due to the Angel, and on monday I also added Stress Coat + as recommended in another post.

All my levels are fine, and yeah my outlets are grounded as far as I know?! And no I have no carbon in the filter at the moment, I don't generally use it unless coming to the end of medication and getting rid.

The tank is 125 litre the stocking is (since the deaths):

1 Angel
1 GBR
2 Ruby Barbs
6 Corydoras
5 Platy's
7 Neons
6 Harlequin Rasboras
5 Oto's

The neons and rasboras may be less, I have overcompensated as I can't remember!!

I have been running the tank myself for just over a year, however my brother had it before I did and it was running for 4 years.
I do weekly water changes of around 50%, feed every other day, use Stress Coat+ as a dechlorinator, and don't add anything else to the tank other than plant fertiliser.

Please help =[ I am worried I am going to wake up to no fish at all!

 

[Chad]

Where there any indications on the dead fish as to cause? Any wounds or ulcers?

Please test the water and post the results here if you would.

There's always a reason for this sort of thing and it's a matter of finding it.

 

[xamy_valox]

Nope, absolutely nothing, they looked exactly as they had.

Ammonia: 0, Nitrate: 5, Nitrite: 0

I haven't got anything to test my PH at present but it is normally around 7 ish

I am in the process of doing another 50% water change as I guessed it couldn't do any harm.

 

[Chad]

What filtration do you have on the tank? Has it been cleaned recently?

I guess what we need to determine is what might be new. You've been running the tank for a year...so what's changed? New fish, new whatever?

 

[xamy_valox]

I have a fluval plus 3 I think it is, either 3 or 2. It hasn't been 'squeezed' for around 3 weeks, I normally do that once a month to keep on top of the gunk.

The only recent additions were 2 GBR's (one of which died yesterday) and 3 Oto's which are all alive.

Just finished the water change and its looking a lot less cloudy, but as I was scooping I have detected another ruby barb dead and a neon =[

I have always seemed to be jinxed since having this tank, prior to this I had a 70 litre for a few months which ran fine, and previous to thank a Fluval Edge which was also perfect.
This tank however I have never seemed to be able to get right, even though my water levels have always seemed to be consistent? Always seem to have things dying on me!

 

[Chad]

Are you using the same substrate your brother was using? Substrate can hold detritus and other gunk that eventually causes problems. In reef tanks this is known as old tank syndrome. It's possible that this could account for your issues. The solution is to change out the substrate in an orderly fashion.

 

[xamy_valox]

No, he had gravel and thoroughly cleaned the tank before giving it to me, and then I again cleaned it and added sand!

The thing that was the same was the media in the filter, I have since changed filter as that one broke but transferred the media.

I have received the interpret anti internal bacteria meds I was advised to get to treat my Angel. Should I still go ahead and add these to the tank to help the Angel? I'm unsure as to what to do best?

 

[Chad]

I trust WILDER and would go with her recommendations above.

 

[WILDER]

Was you using the full dose of melafix. As not all fish tolerate it.

Do any fish look thin, or bloated.
Check your fish for when they go to the toilet.
Any excess mucas on gills, or body.
Do the fish look darker in colour, or pale.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Do any fish gasp at surface of tank. laboured breathing,.
Red streaking of fins, red patches.

It's possible that you have a severe bacteria infection in your tank.

Some info.

>The third type of infection produced by Aeromonas is by no means the least. This form is often the most virulent (potent) and can be rapidly fatal. This insidious form does not produce any noticeable external ulcers. The most notable feature is a behavioral change in which the infected fish generally become listless and lethargic. Some fish may lose color or appear darker. The fish do not feed, frequently seem off balance and may sink to the bottom laying on their sides. The course of the disease is rapid, and by the time the behavioral changes are noticed, the entire population of a tank may succumb, sometimes in a day or so. This is an internal infection, with the bacteria being found in the kidneys and blood of these fish. The bacteria produce potent toxins that account for the severity of the disease.
>http/www.fishyportal.com