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Author Topic: Oddly sick fish  (Read 658 times)
angryspidermonkey
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Oddly sick fish
« on: October 27, 2010, 12:07:45 PM »
Hello,

I have a goldfish who is about 3 years old in a 10 gallon tank.  He's the only inhabitant of the tank. 

Over the last 6 mos he's had what seemed like a bout of fin rot, but I'm not so sure.  I've tried to various fin rot meds.  Melafix, Erythromycin and Melafix 2. (2 rounds of each)  They have sort of slowed his fin's deterioration, but it seems to continue at this slow and steady pace unlike fin rot I've seen in the past.  Also, his fins are getting ragged and disintegrating, but I don't see any indications of external bacteria.  He also seems to be getting thinner.

However, he still has a hearty appetite and moves around. 

I'm really not sure what to do for him.  I've been reading the (Link is not visible to guests. Please register to view.) site and was thinking about trying some of their ideas. 

Does anyone have any thoughts?  I really don't want to lose him.

The water params are as follows:
- ph 7.2
- nitrite 0ppm
- nitrate 20ppm
- ammonia 0ppm

Thanks so much

Mike
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2010, 12:32:09 PM »
Hi Mike,
I believe your fish does have a bacterial infection and a simple way to treat it is 1 tsp of salt per gallon of water so 10 tsps. for your  aquarium.  I used Methylene Blue, have you tried that?  Then I also fed an oral antibiotic for 7 days, 2X a day and you can feed for 2 weeks, with nothing else but the antibiotic fish food.  I don't know where you are from but usually pet stores carry the antibiotic fish food. I use a product by Jungle it works very well. Smiley If the egdes of the fins/tail are turning grey, you may need to cut off the rot and paint the fin edges with mechurochrome.  It will take a while for the fins and tail to grow back.
Please give us an update on your fish and how he is doing! Smiley
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #2 on: October 27, 2010, 01:06:46 PM »
Mike,
I find it very odd that your water parameters are so good when with the use of erythromyocin which will wipe out the bacteria good and bad in your tank.  Did you remember to take the carbon out of your tank before using these treatments?  The treatments will not be effective because carbon will absorb the medicine. Smiley
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angryspidermonkey
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #3 on: October 27, 2010, 01:15:17 PM »
I did remove the carbon.

Mike
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angryspidermonkey
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2010, 01:16:35 PM »
If I add the 10 tsp's of salt, do I need to do it gradually over days?

Mike
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2010, 01:38:56 PM »
You can add the salt to a little of your tank water and pour it in.  You should also do a 25% water change on your tank before adding anything to it.
Ok, glad you removed the carbon!   Smiley
I would add the aquarium salt right away. And the methylene blue and start feeding the oral antbiotic food asap.
If your fish doesn't improve in 3 days change 25% of the water and repeat the medication and add salt again and keep feeding the antibiotic fish food.
After the treatment you can add melafix to your water for 7 days.  Melafix is a good product but it is only really an antiseptic
and it will help heal the damaged tissues faster. Smiley
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Goldiegirl
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2010, 07:42:36 PM »
Hello Mike,

I had a fish recently who had some severe fin rot - white edging on fins for up to 1/4 inch, and several bloody streaks. It had become so bad he had even lost part of the bones on his dorsal fin and tail. This is what I tried which cured it in less than 2 weeks.

1) Add concentration of salt .3 concentration per 10 gallons.
2) Add 1 tablet of Jungle's Parasite Clear for internal and external parasites. On the back it says it cures 'ragged tail fin' aka fin rot. The reason I chose this medication is because it does not damage tank's biological filtration and good bacteria.
3) Give 2-3 consecutive salt baths (IN A SEPARATE TANK) with 2 teaspoons per gallon for 15 minutes, remove the fish afterward, and dab the rotted areas with hydrogen peroxide using a Q-tip. Return fish to main tank without adding any of the water from the isolated area.

This worked for me, though I'm sure Mindemae's works just as good (if not better). Hope it helps, and keep us posted!
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angryspidermonkey
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2010, 08:36:01 PM »
Forgive a rookie question. . .

When you say .3 concentration to 10 gallons, what does that translate to in terms of teaspoons or other measures?

Mike
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Nossie
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #8 on: October 28, 2010, 03:56:53 AM »
I don't have much to add d: Except that I've only treated with anti-bacterial medication whenever any of our fish had shown symptoms of fin rot. Of course, after a larger water change on 50-60%. That way you don't have to perform any water changes while treating, and the water will stay good for longer.
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #9 on: October 28, 2010, 09:50:01 AM »
The problem with not doing water changes while treating, for more than 3-4 days is that some medications will actually convert to toxins the longer it sits in the tank. 
Methylene Blue is very mild.  It can sit in the tank without converting to toxic form.
Always be careful  and follow the instructions on the label of medications.  Most say to do water changes and only 25%.  You don't want to dilute the medication that is in the tank by taking too much out with a big water change. Smiley  Some medications you have to do a 25% water change everyday (Malachite Green and Formalin), if left in the tank too long this will convert to toxic formaldihyde, some every 3-4 days is sufficient. (Furanace)
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Goldiegirl
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2010, 11:20:03 AM »
The .3 concentration of salt means 3 tablespoons for every 10 gallons of your aquarium. So if you have a 30 gallon, you add 9 tablespoons... a lot of salt but goldies can tolerate it, for some reason they have a high resistance to it Tongue
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2010, 11:36:35 AM »
Here I found this with some of the medications mentioned above and it tells how to treat with it.
Most you have to do a 25% water change everyday before adding a new dosage of medicine. Smiley

(Link is not visible to guests. Please register to view.)

Wow, these prices are quite high tho! Yikes! Shocked
For instance most farm supply stores sell medications like Oxi tetracycline for only $5-$6 a bag (181.4 g/6.4 oz). Wink
« Last Edit: October 28, 2010, 11:42:52 AM by Mindemae » Logged
angryspidermonkey
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2010, 11:49:09 AM »
Alas, not too many farm stores in Brooklyn, NY. . .

But we're pretty used to high prices. . .
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2010, 12:46:57 PM »
Hey, I've been to Brooklyn and you have a tractor supply store unless it closed down. Smiley
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #14 on: October 28, 2010, 12:49:14 PM »
Oh but wait, Doesn't your state have a law against buying prescription animal medications without a prescription? Undecided
I forgot about that! Sorry!  You may have to find your meds online. Sad
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angryspidermonkey
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2010, 09:34:24 PM »
Hey,

I just wanted to thank everyone for the help.  As suggested, I increased the salinity in the water and I got some antibiotic food and Rolf seems to be on the mend.  His fins are now slowly growing back!

I really feared I was going to lose him.  Thanks so much!

Mike
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Mindemae
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #16 on: December 15, 2010, 10:07:15 PM »
Oh so glad to hear that and glad we could help! Smiley
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Nossie
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #17 on: December 16, 2010, 11:57:53 AM »
It's so nice to hear from you! Smiley I'd be happy if you could show some pictures of the guy when he'll be all healthy Wink
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Goldiegirl
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Re: Oddly sick fish
« Reply #18 on: December 16, 2010, 12:56:11 PM »
A victory in the land of fish disease. Congrats on the combat  Wink
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