What's Killing This Fish?

[zoogy]

I'm pretty well resigned to the fact that my new fish is not going to make it. I just got a hospital tank set up a few hours ago and got him quaranteened. My bigger concern now is all the other fish in the main tank that might have caught whatever he has.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this disease may be and is it contagious? I brought him home 2 days ago, and he pretty much stopped swimming shortly after he got into the tank. He floated around at a 45 degree angle for a day, then settled to the bottom of the tank and his back fin started disappearing. I brought him home with 4 other fish and they all seem fine.

I would so appreciate any insight you could give. I'm a novice and I have no experience to draw from. Thanks!

 

[FreedomFighter]

Does the end of his dissappearing fin look white? Or furry?

Could be as simple as fin-rot, a couple of water changes might make him feel better.

 

[zoogy]

Does the end of his dissappearing fin look white? Or furry?

Could be as simple as fin-rot, a couple of water changes might make him feel better.

Not white or furry. just transparent at the tip, the gone. Stats are Amonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 5-10. I wonder if it's something in the water I can't test for.

How will I know when he's dead? He's not moving anymore, but I don't want to take him out of the water too soon.

 

[Jackiee]

Does the end of his dissappearing fin look white? Or furry?Could be as simple as fin-rot, a couple of water changes might make him feel better.

Not white or furry. just transparent at the tip, the gone. Stats are Amonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 5-10. I wonder if it's something in the water I can't test for.How will I know when he's dead? He's not moving anymore, but I don't want to take him out of the water too soon.

If it's not white or furry, and its just transparent/gone, chances are he either got bullied badly by another fish, or it's fin and tail rot. Was he acting weak before this for the other fish to pick on him? If all your stats are 0, and your nitrates aren't high enough to really cause damage, I would do a large water change. How big is your quarantine tank? If it's small, I'd go buy some distilled water to do the water change to make sure it doesn't mess with his water stats. I would also go get some anti bacterial medication, like Melafix. It's about $8-$10 dollars for a decent size bottle (in case the rest of the tank gets it) or you just might need it in the future. You can also add it when adding new fish to make sure they don't have bacteria infections that could be spread to the rest of the fish in your tank.

 

[FreedomFighter]

Does the end of his dissappearing fin look white? Or furry?Could be as simple as fin-rot, a couple of water changes might make him feel better.

Not white or furry. just transparent at the tip, the gone. Stats are Amonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 5-10. I wonder if it's something in the water I can't test for.How will I know when he's dead? He's not moving anymore, but I don't want to take him out of the water too soon.

If it's not white or furry, and its just transparent/gone, chances are he either got bullied badly by another fish, or it's fin and tail rot. Was he acting weak before this for the other fish to pick on him? If all your stats are 0, and your nitrates aren't high enough to really cause damage, I would do a large water change. How big is your quarantine tank? If it's small, I'd go buy some distilled water to do the water change to make sure it doesn't mess with his water stats. I would also go get some anti bacterial medication, like Melafix. It's about $8-$10 dollars for a decent size bottle (in case the rest of the tank gets it) or you just might need it in the future. You can also add it when adding new fish to make sure they don't have bacteria infections that could be spread to the rest of the fish in your tank.

This is good advice.

The only way to check to see if your fish is still alive or not, that i know of, is to watch their gills closely, and see if they are breathing. If you have lost your fish then I am very sorry.

 

[zoogy]

Does the end of his dissappearing fin look white? Or furry?Could be as simple as fin-rot, a couple of water changes might make him feel better.

Not white or furry. just transparent at the tip, the gone. Stats are Amonia - 0, Nitrite - 0, Nitrate - 5-10. I wonder if it's something in the water I can't test for.How will I know when he's dead? He's not moving anymore, but I don't want to take him out of the water too soon.

If it's not white or furry, and its just transparent/gone, chances are he either got bullied badly by another fish, or it's fin and tail rot. Was he acting weak before this for the other fish to pick on him? If all your stats are 0, and your nitrates aren't high enough to really cause damage, I would do a large water change. How big is your quarantine tank? If it's small, I'd go buy some distilled water to do the water change to make sure it doesn't mess with his water stats. I would also go get some anti bacterial medication, like Melafix. It's about $8-$10 dollars for a decent size bottle (in case the rest of the tank gets it) or you just might need it in the future. You can also add it when adding new fish to make sure they don't have bacteria infections that could be spread to the rest of the fish in your tank.

This is good advice.

The only way to check to see if your fish is still alive or not, that i know of, is to watch their gills closely, and see if they are breathing. If you have lost your fish then I am very sorry.

Thanks FF and Jackiee for the advice and talking me through my first casualty. I'm possitively certain he's dead now and the kids are giving him a proper funeral as I type. I'll pick up some Melafix today just to keep on hand and I'm watching the main tank very closely. Thanks again!

 

[FreedomFighter]

Sorry to hear about your first loss.

What are the other fish in the tank? See if we can spot any obvious bullying problems and stop things like this happening again.

 

[Jackiee]

I too am sorry for your loss! It's always sad (especially for the kids im sure).

Hopefully it was just an isolated case..
It's better for it to be caused from bullying than a bacterial infection (even though both are unfortunate).
Hope you find out soon, and that none of your other fish seem to be having any unsual symptoms.