What Is This?

[Chuka1212]

Ok, so I got my first peacock eel about three days ago and today I noticed this:

I was very worried at seeing this (I am talking about the white marks on his head, they also extend down to the other side of his face and around his eye). I thought it could be one of two things:

I thought it could be scratches on my poor eel. I have gravel in the bottom of the tank. I know a softer substrate is preferred but my gravel is somewhat light and small so I thought it would not be a problem. I had visited a few websites of happy eels and even seen breeding tanks with gravel bottoms similar to mine, which is why I didn't change out my substrate when I got him.

I thought it could be some sort of infection. It is not fuzzy and does not look velvety, but maybe on eels a skin infection could look different?

I am dying to know what you all think, thanks in advance for your input and advice!

 

[Chuka1212]

Anybody? My eel needs you!

 

[Spooky76]

From the picture it looks fungal to me.
If they look a bit cotton wool like it could well be fungal infection, which can be treated with Protozin or Interpet (cant remember No).

I would just wait a little while if you can, maybe Wilder will post.

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like columnaris to me.
Is the eel trying to rub its self on things in the tank.
http/article.discusnews.com/cat-02/columnaries.shtml
Med in the united stats for columnaris is maracyn one and two.
Good luck.

 

[Chuka1212]

Yikes! Could it spread to my other fish? I have a quarantine tank... should I put him in immediately? I have not noticed him rubbing on anything but I will watch him more closely today to see if he is. Is there much of a chance of recovery? THanks spooky and wilder!

 

[TigerLotus]

I would also agree that it is columnaris. I just identified that I have it in my tank as well and will be treating once I do my water change for the week. My infecting is not as bad as yours but is on its way. This can spread to other fish and can spread to cover the mouth and fins, hindering the fish from swimming and eating, which can ultimately lead to death if not treated. The most common thing I have read to treat this is a product by Jungle Labs called Jungle Fungus Clear. If this is not available, look for products that have Tetracycline, furan2, spectrogram or Kenacyn in it.

Good luck I hope your fish get better

TigerLotus

Oh and yes I would move the fish, unless you notice this on any of the other, or them flashing as well.

 

[WILDER]

Yes it can spread best to illsolate the fish in a hospital tank, then do some water changes on your main tank for a few days.
If you get antibitics some of them wipe the benefical bacteria colony out in the filter.
But if you issolate him in a hospital tank antibiotics are fine.
Though try not to use antibiotics till you have to as fish build an immunity up to them the more you use them.

 

[Chuka1212]

Thanks for all of the help everyone. I srue appreciate it. I will be moving him to a hospital tank. Are eels more susceptible than other fish to this kind of ailment?

 

[WILDER]

Not sure never kept eels.
Stress, temp, bad water quality can soon fetch columnaris on.
Good luck.

 

[WILDER]

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