Very Ill Platy

[ClaireN]

We have just noticed that one of my boyfriends platys looks really sick, it looks like her slime coat is peeling off and one of the others has a couple of white spots on her head, they were both ok yesterday.

Can anybody tell us what they think it is so we can start treating?

(Edit for more info)

The tank is apx 47 UK G
Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0, Nitrate 50 (always about this, as high in tap water)

Other tank mates, Platys, Guppy, Cardinal Neon and blue tetras, Corys, Plec, Red tail black shark, yoyo loach.

Meds in cupboard, Protozin, Melafix, Pimafix

Please help

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like columnaris with the peeling skin, how big are the spots, do they look greyish white in colour andy circling of red with the spots.

http/www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/d...columnaris.html

 

[ClaireN]

Dont know how to describe it properly, its like she is peel into little worms, not that they are moving at all so dont think they are worms, and the scales under her head are sticking out like they are lifting but she is not bloated, other parts of her just has white dots.

 

[WILDER]

Are you sure they are not worms as you can get anchor worm under the scales, check the gill what do they look like, is the fish flicking and rubbing against object, any laboured breathing.

Beginning to sound like a parasite but also you can get bacterial infections on top, don't like the sound of the raised scales on the head, the whitespot does it look like grains of salt.

 

[ClaireN]

Her breathing is slightly laboured, i guess they could be worms some seem longer that others, until today she has seemed ok, a bit quiet and a little while ago she was flicking, we thought they had a parasite so treated with Protozin and all seemed ok, but its been since then that she has been quiet, though yesterday she seemed really like her old self again, now this.

Yep the small spots look like grains of salt the larger ones are like worms. The raised scales are one her underside under her head, gills look fine though, hard to see red patches as she is red herself.

 

[WILDER]

Check the worms do they have a forked tail.

Not the writer of this information.
Worms Under the Scales- If you see worms under the scales you are seeing anchor worms. They are best treated with Dimilin. Dimilin clears the worms in only a few days. Once administered it remains in the water for months. Dimilin is available at http/www.koivet.com top

 

[ClaireN]

No they dont have forked tails, just look tube like

 

[WILDER]

http/www.webdezine.freeserve.co.uk/parasites.htm

http/www.aquaculture.bz/fish-disease/Gyrodactylus.html

 

[ClaireN]

Could be that, but not all of the bits look the same, just been and had a realy good look at her again most of them seem to be on the edge of the scales but it is almost like she has peeled and is the skin (not sure of a better word) that is hanging off in threads.

do you think any of the meds we have would be agood idea?

Thanks for your help by the way

 

[WILDER]

Read that second link that might fit more.

The fish sounds like it has a bacterial infection on top of parasites, can you issolate the fish, though the whole tank will wan't medicating, plus if you move the very sick fish can add a bacterial med as well, as the chances of survival are very thin at the moment in time.

 

[Bloo]

Hi Claire, does it look anything like this pic here ?

If so, I can recommend Interpet no. 12 - Anti crustacean. But please read instructions and follow strictly.
If you're not sure that's an external parasite though, don't use.
If you are dealing with a bacterial infection too, please do not mix meds.
You should get rid of the parasites first, then stabilise the fish and then treat for secondary infections.

 

[WILDER]

Thanks bloozoo2 remembered you had a problem like this.

 

[ClaireN]

Yes it does look very like that, some of the bits on her are fatter but the pattern and general look is the same.

 

[Bloo]

If that's the case, I can recommend the Interpet meds. Make sure to dose exactly as prescribed and do take care to isolate the fish if at all possible - as this medication is quite harsh and kills off most of the beneficial bacteria in the tank too
Unfortunately I couldn't save my fish, as I couldn't diagnose it quickly enough. When I used the meds though, it had amazing results within 12 hours. But the secondary bacterial infections were too advanced to cure.
Hope you have better luck.

Here's a pic taken just over 12 hours after using the meds - as you can see all the worms had gone, but she then started with finrot and fungus

 

[ClaireN]

Thank you both so much for your help.

Cant isolate her unless i put my betta in my tank which has Platys and a couple of female guppys in it so not sure that is the best idea. Will head out tomorrow and get the meds and dose the tank if she is still with us if not will get the meds anyway just incase it breaks out on any others.