Update and more questions on 2 sick fish

[tttnjfttt]

Sick fish #1 - Starting sunday night, I noticed my tiger barb had a small sore above his mouth. Water stats normal (ammonia 0, nitrite 0, ph 7.2-4). Saturday my fish got very stressed out from several small earthquakes in the area, which could be a contributing factor. I asked here and was told it could possibly be a sore from a fight, or possibly a bacterial infection. As of today, this sore is still there, and I think it is slowly getting worse. It is getting RED around the edges, probably for 2 mm all around. The sore is still 4 mm across, but the edges are slightly black. Is this healing normally, or has it progressed to a bacterial infection? If so, what meds should I use? (treated with salt, primafix and melafix). The other fish in the tank have no signs of open sores.

After removing #1 and a spare spounge, my tank started a mini cycle, the ammonia stayed at 0, nitrite went up to between .25-.5. Daily water changes are keeping that value well below .25. This is how I found the tank on Tuesday.

Sick fish #2 (in a different quarentine tank)- Around tuesday, I notice one zebra danio is being very lethargic, not eating, not swimming around with anyone else from his schoal. I isolated him, offered more food individually, still not eating. Also, his color was a little off In isolation I noticed he was VERY VERY VERY thin. I was told either internal parasites or fish TB, and Clout was recomended as a potiential treatment. Last night, i noticed the discoloration is becomming more red spots, and also his spine just doesn't look right. He still isn't eating. I tried tempting him wiht some blood worms, which he put in his mouth, then spat back out. I think it is Fish TB. Despite the new symptoms, he has pearked up a little with the clout, but I have a feeling he is too far gone to be saved, but isn't obviously suffering. Should I euthanise him now or give some antibiotics a shot?

Also, because of the probable TB, how should I treat the tank he came out of?

 

[WILDER]

If the sore is no longer getting better yes go ahead with an internal bacteria med, here is a link to fish tb, no sounding good, but give him another day bless him.
http/www.4qd.org/Aqua/disease/tb.html

 

[WILDER]

I am not the writer of this article.


Fish tuberculosis
Mycobacterium

[Symptoms] [More information] [Prevention] [Treatment]


Symptoms: Tuberculosis can cause many different symptoms depending on where the infection occurs. Some common symptoms are emaciation along the back or a sunken belly, loss of appetite, spinal curvature, pop-eye, skin lesions (as illustrated above), and jerky swimming. Open wounds with bloody edges as though small chunks of skin have been torn away are typical of turberculosis. The fish may also exhibit scale-loss, lethargy, pale colouration, and lack of schooling behaviour. Weight loss may also be caused by flukes or poor diet, so investigate these options as well.

More information: Mycobacteria are often present in the aquarium but cause little problem if the fish are otherwise healthy. Fish exposed to crowded conditions, or poor water quality, or with vitamin deficiencies are more prone to infection. Gouramis, particularly the dwarf varieties, are more at risk than other species. The bacteria infect the internal organs causing nodular growths. When the fish are stressed these cysts rupture and release thousands of infectious bacteria. Sometimes the disease progresses slowly and may kill only a few fish over several months. At other times epidemic outbreaks can decimate an aquarium. Caution should be excercised where tuberculosis is suspected since some strains of the bacteria can cause infections in humans. If the fish have open lesions do not put your hands into the water if you have any cuts or scratches - use rubber gloves and wash your hands well afterwards.

Prevention: A good diet and optimum water quality should prevent tuberculosis. If any fish show symptoms, remove them immediately to prevent spread of the disease. Attempt treatment in a seperate container and add preventative medication, eg antiseptics, to the main tank.

Treatment: Treatment is difficult, and many infected fish will not respond. It is important to treat fish affected by the disease seperately to prevent its spread. The aquarium from which they were taken should be water changed and then kept scrupulously clean. Add an antiseptic or antibacterial medication (eg Myxazin) to protect the other fish. For fish exhibiting symptoms treatment with tetracycline may be effective. If an epidmeic wipes out the aquarium (a thankfully rare occurrence) be sure to thoroughly clean the tank, gravel and filters before re-stocking. Salt, potassium permanganate, or proprietary treatments can be used to disinfect the equipment

 

[tttnjfttt]

another day with the clout? I have no problem with giving him another day, I just don't want him to suffer needlessly. He has moved to the bottom of the bucket, but doesn't appear to be in pain.

Do you have a recomendation on internal meds? or just see what the store has.

Also, should I treat the main tank incase anyone else is caryign TB to give a half chance of saving anyone else?

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok just read the article you posted, and the med it says for the other fish, is that an internal one as well?

 

[WILDER]

Antiseptic med is melafix, bacteria meds are tetracycline maracyn one and two.
http/www.fishjunkies.com/Infections/bacterial.php

 

[WILDER]

It's a british med so no good to you won't be able to get it maracyn two should be fine.
http/www.waterlife.co.uk/waterlife/myxazin.htm

 

[tttnjfttt]

Ok, thanks for the advice. I'll head to my LPS as soon as I get dressed.

 

[tttnjfttt]

never mind, things have changed for the worse.