Re: Tiny worm-like parasite -- 1/22/10
Dear Neale,
<Amy,>
I would like to thank you again for all the time you have invested in answering my questions. If I may be so bold, there are a few more I would like to ask...
<Fire away.>
The instructions on the anti-parasite medications advise a 48 hour wait before medicating again. I looked up the active ingredients and it appears that at least one causes kidney damage with prolonged exposure.
<Not a problem in this case. For one thing, freshwater fish's kidneys work rather differently to our own, so problems detected when medications are used in humans may not occur with fish. Moreover, most medications sold for use in aquaria have a very short lifespan in the aquarium, typically becoming metabolised within a day. So while all medications are poisons at some level -- including those doctors prescribe for humans -- if used as described by the manufacturer, there's little risk of causing harm to your fish. Indeed, not using the right medication can end up doing far more harm by allowing the pathogen free rein to harm your livestock. So, in short, use a medication for the full duration as described by the manufacturer.
Don't do half doses and don't skip days of treatment on a whim.>
So, I plan on treating for fin rot (with Maracyn unless there is something else you recommend)
<A useful medication, but strictly for bacterial infections rather than worms. Do also note that most medications are formulated to be used ALONE.
Mixing multiple medications in one aquarium is unwise. Standard operating practise is to complete one course of medication, do a 50% water change, and then start another course of medication the following day. Some aquarists like to run carbon in the filter overnight between the two courses. Carbon removes organic chemicals, including medications, which is why you always remove carbon (if you use it) while medicating. In practise the carbon step isn't essential because the bacteria in the filter will metabolise unused medications quite quickly.>
tomorrow afternoon in hopes to save the healthy fishes' nephrons.
<!!!>
However, there is no longer caudal fin to treat on the adult angelfish.
<Can grow back.>
In addition, The base of the caudal fin is sloughing scales and the remaining scales are protruding. To top it all off, the bloat around his belly has worsened, there is red speckling below his right pectoral fin, and fine scales are protruding along the ventral side (the attached photo shows his current condition). Again, water conditions are good and none of the other fish show any signs of illness.
<Unfortunately, septicaemia is quite common once Finrot has progressed down to the base of fins. Since this is an internal bacterial infection, this is best treated with antibiotics, preferably via food rather than added to the water.>
Is it in the angelfish's best interest to continue medicating, or am I prolonging the inevitable?
<By no means; given treatment, there is a chance the fish will recover.
Very small fish rarely do, but Angelfish are just large enough they might pull through.>
If the infection has gone septic, will a fin rot treatment be effective?
<Finrot medication that acts externally will not have much impact on septicaemia. Maracyn by itself isn't particularly useful, but Kanamycin Sulfate and Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Triple Sulfa have both been used successfully. Follow the instructions on these carefully.>
If he does pull through, is there a reasonable chance that he will see any regrowth?
<Fins can regrow provided at least some of the bony rays remain.>
Lastly, does the bloat indicate that there is already irreversible kidney damage?
<Not necessarily.>
Thank you again for your time and expertise.
Sincerely,
Amy
<Good luck. Cheers, Neale.>

Re: angelfish fins -- 01/17/10
ok, I will monitor the angels and see how they are...how long do you suggest it give them if I dont notice a change? a week or so?
<A week or two. Obviously, if it gets *worse* within that time frame, you have a problem.>
also, I have gold barbs that get red circular spots on them, like a sore.
they come and go, then where it is healed is a white spot on the scales, like a scar. not sure if this has anything to do with it but is this something I should watch also?
<Not sure what these are, but I'd check water quality first of all. If there's any trace of ammonia and/or nitrite, assume Finrot, and fix water quality problems. With luck, that should prevent any reoccurrence. If the water is fine, then you might think about possible parasite infections. Ick (Whitespot) for example bursts through the skin when mature, and this eruption can allow secondary infections.>
several have had these mysterious red sores for the last few months, here and there.
thanks
Lisa
<Please do use some capital letters next time. It's rather tedious reading messages that are all in lower case! You're also likely to give a poor impression to any passing psychiatrists! Cheers, Neale.>
Re: angelfish fins 1/19/10
Ok...Capitals it is. I was lazy and type quicker when I don't use caps...I had a thought yesterday. Could the fins of my angels be nipped off?
<Yes. Black Widow tetras, Gymnocorymbus ternetzi, are notorious fin nippers. Puntius semifasciolatus are generally good compared with other barbs, but they are greedy fish, and might be a bit rough at feeding time.
Both these species are schooling, hierarchical fish, and neither will behave properly if kept in groups of less than six.>
The reason why I ask is because about a week or so ago I decided to cut my feeding down to once a day for my fish. I usually feed morning and evening because I have so many fish, including a ghost knife fish (who I found out
later like to eat little fish).
<Well, this isn't a secret, and as we often say here, if you read about a fish prior to purchase, such unfortunately incidents will be less likely.>
Since I was trying to reduce feeding to reduce nitrated I cut it down to one time in the evening...at the same time is when I noticed the fins.
<Your Puntius semifasciolatus certainly seems to have a nipped dorsal. But Finrot can be superficially similar, and in tanks where ammonia and zero are not zero, Finrot is very probable.>
I just wasn't sure if the fins might be eaten because I reduced food or if it was because of stress from the tank almost crashing (a week or so ago) which is why I decided to reduce my food, to maintain nitrates and ammonia.
<Overfeeding can certainly cause water quality problems. But do also review aquarium size, stocking, and the size of the filter.>
As for the red sores that scar into a white spot, I am also wondering if it is a bite mark from the ghost fish. He is usually the first one out of his hiding place when I put food to the top so he is definitely hungry. I'm not sure if its best to find him another home or if there isn't usually a problem...I never see him chasing anybody or being aggressive at all so I don't know if I'm blaming him for nothing. Here are pictures of the gold barb minnow with a white scar as well as a pic if the knife fish (please ignore the water streaks on the glass). My question is, do you think that he could be the culprit since I have cut feeding in half or should I wait and see?
<See above.>
I have already started feeding twice again, with major water monitoring for ammonia and nitrate, to see if the fins start to grow back (that means he's hungry).
<Cheers, Neale.><<And a Bala Shark Neale... BobF>>