What To Do.....

[lordofthesea]

this is one of my congo tetras. wilder reckons it has columnaris. is the congo too far gone? sorry about the net in the picture. i had to keep him near the glass to get a decent pic. should i put him out of his pain as wilder reccomends? i didn't have a pic last time i posted and obviously, if possible i don't want to kill him . what does everyone reckon? it his lip. wilder says if its rotted away then he's too far gone.

thanks in advance.here's the pic.

 

[youngfisher]

There is no picture..

 

[lordofthesea]

i know. i've sorted the picture out now.

 

[youngfisher]

Hmm, he doesnt look that bad.

Have you even tried treating him?

 

[lordofthesea]

of course! it was there about a week ago and i treated with melafix and pimafix and it didn't get better. i can't use copper meds because i have shrimps in my tank. even after a week of treatment he's just got worse.

i had another fish with the same problem and it just got worse and he died even with treatment. also the congo isn't eating.

 

[minxfishy]

Well if its columnaris then melafix and pimafix wont work, as Wilder has Im sure told you, you need pimafix and myaxzin used together, if this will effect the shrimp, then remove them during the treatment.

Personally I think if his mouth has rotted away and his quality of life is effected, then euthanizing is the best course of action for the fish, cant actually tell from that pic though, how bad it is.

 

[mark1979]

Well if its columnaris then melafix and pimafix wont work, as Wilder has Im sure told you, you need pimafix and myaxzin used together, if this will effect the shrimp, then remove them during the treatment.

Personally I think if his mouth has rotted away and his quality of life is effected, then euthanizing is the best course of action for the fish, cant actually tell from that pic though, how bad it is.

sorry to butt in on this topic,but how would that be done?

i hope i never have to,but am interested on how to do so

 

[minxfishy]

There are several methods, all of which have been discussed to death (no pun intended), however quick recap for you, sharp blow to the head, clove oil, freezing are a few.

Personally I use the freezing method, where I put a jug of cold water in the freezer until ice forms over the top, break the ice and place the fish in, it takes seconds, I have never seen a fish distressed doing it this way, other have different ways and it also depends on the size of the fish, but this method works for small fish. For others that use other methods, I dont want to get into a debate, I was just answering the question.

 

[lordofthesea]

well his quality of life can't be good if he can't eat.....he always loved his food.
oh well. is suppose i'll have to do it then.
thanks for the advice.

 

[keenonfish]

I agree with minxfishy I personally like the freeze method as there is no preparation time and they never move much after contact with water. I think putting vodka in the freezer could be best but not sure if it would be safe to handle a liquid at -18C

 

[Craster]

I think putting vodka in the freezer could be best but not sure if it would be safe to handle a liquid at -18C

That's the method I always use. Never had any issues. Mind you, I've never accidentally poured it into my lap, either. Yet.