Tiger Barb Problems

[tttnjfttt]

Ok first some necessary background on whats been going on - Some time last week, I noticed one of my tiger barbs was going nose down alot and hiding in one of the plants. No visible sign of illness. A few days later he was swimming very eradically, and seemed to have no control. When i saw him 5 min later he was pale and laying at the bottom of the tank. I euthanized him, and noticed his dorsal fin was shreaded.

Two days ago, I noticed some of my tiger barbs were breathing heavily and occasionally flashing. I am assuming this is gill flukes and have began treating my entire tank with copper safe. Most of the fish are looking better. One tiger barb is still gasping (will possibly be given stronger meds today in the hospital tank).

Now the new problem- This morning, i am noticing my smallest tiger barb is swimming very wierdly. He is constantly shaking his whole body to try to swim. When he stops, he does float up to the surface. He is doing a fairly good job of staying up right, but will occasionally roll over or go on his side. He also looks a little pudgier than normal, as if he has just eaten, but I haven't fed since last night.

Water stats normal, 40 gal tank, 5 tiger barbs, 4 zebra danios 3 clown loaches, 1 opaline gourami and 1 RTBS

Any idea on what might be up with the tiger barb.

 

[WILDER]

Sadly gill flukes can kill a fish as they invade the gills and you no what that means, plus if they break the skin bacteria can enter the fish body causing bacteria problems and i think this is what has happened as it sound like he has a swim bladder disorder on top now, also when fish have parasites they can shake or twitch with them but that usually when they are resting, if he shaking while swimming i would say it more to do with the swim bladder problem.

 

[tttnjfttt]

so you think its bacterial swim blader in addition to gill flukes? Any chance the pea trick will work? If not, is there a prefered antibiotic? I think i have some maracyn 2 left, out of the rest, but i can always run out to the LPS

I should probably also say this guy had suspected TB last fall, but some how managed to pull through, however he has alays been thin since. Now he has a belly to match everyone elses. So if i dind't know him, i would say he looked normal.

 

[WILDER]

No the writer of this information below.
You are treating him for gill flukes so i would only go in with half a dose of antibiotic in a hospital tank, plus to be honest he dosn't sound good.
SWIM BLADDER
Symptom: The fish has a buoyancy problem. The fish may float to the surface, sink to the bottom, swim with its head down or do headstands in the gravel. At the later stages of the disease, the fish may lose its balance or swim upside down.
The key to swim bladder diagnosis is that no other signs of disease are present and the water conditions have been ideal. Since environmental conditions can affect the equilibrium of the fish, pay special attention to the density and temperature of the water.
Treatment: There is no specific medical treatment for swim bladder disorders. If the origin of the problem is not from disease, a fish may recover on its own. If the water conditions and feeding are normal, and no signs or symptoms are noticed, assume the cause is from a bacterial infection. The Best treatment is a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic such as Nitrofuran (Furan) or Kanamycin Sulfate. You should treat in a hospital tank.




No the writer of this information below.
You are treating him for gill flukes so i would only go in with half a dose of antibiotic in a hospital tank, plus to be honest he dosn't sound good.
SWIM BLADDER
Symptom: The fish has a buoyancy problem. The fish may float to the surface, sink to the bottom, swim with its head down or do headstands in the gravel. At the later stages of the disease, the fish may lose its balance or swim upside down.
The key to swim bladder diagnosis is that no other signs of disease are present and the water conditions have been ideal. Since environmental conditions can affect the equilibrium of the fish, pay special attention to the density and temperature of the water.
Treatment: There is no specific medical treatment for swim bladder disorders. If the origin of the problem is not from disease, a fish may recover on its own. If the water conditions and feeding are normal, and no signs or symptoms are noticed, assume the cause is from a bacterial infection. The Best treatment is a broad spectrum gram negative antibiotic such as Nitrofuran (Furan) or Kanamycin Sulfate. You should treat in a hospital tank.




http/www.petfish.net/articles/Bettas/swimbladder_betta.php

http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/disease/bacterial.htm

 

[tttnjfttt]

Yeah, he definately has the head stand swimming position going on. Is this going to be a lost cause?

 

[tttnjfttt]

This is wierd. He is now acting semi-normal. His swimming is normal, he's balanced , still a little lethargic, but i think that is also from the gill flukes.