Bala Shark is Twitching & lower fins are fraying!!

[seanus]

Hello,

Two days ago, three of my fish died overnight! Four days ago, I added a tadpole & then after 48 hours, he, the glass fish & the silver-tip shark died

Now, the cichlid and bala are really stressed & aren't eating much. All water levels are okay, nitrite, ammonia, etc.

The bala is twitching a lot & darts around the tank unlike ever before. He doesn't show any signs of disease (no white spots, no tail rot, etc) but his bottom fins are starting to separate & he looks itchy, but doesn't rub up against anything. He just jumps around the tank, uncomfortably.

Help!

Thank you.

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like the tadpole has fetched a parasite into the tank, are they heavy breathing and are there gills red and inflamed.

 

[seanus]

You must be right, Wilder. Thanks.

In response to your question, yes, the bala is breathing heavily. His gills don't really look red or inflamed, but it could be getting there.

I have:

1. MelaFix
2. QuickCure (with Malchite Green) - says it's for ick & other parasites.

How would you recommend treatment?

Changing water & medicine, etc.

Thank you so much!

 

[WILDER]

Malachite Green (zinc free) 100% Cures Ich, fungus, oodinium (velvet) mouth fungus, and prevents fungus on some eggs, most effective when used with salt. 28.4 grams make 1 gallon. Then use 1 drop per gallon.

 

[WILDER]

Turn temp up to 30 add extra aeration, add salt if you have no scaless fish.

 

[WILDER]

Keep an eye on the gills as it could be gill flukes and you might need a different med.

 

[seanus]

Thank you so much, Wilder! I will start the treatment, now. I've used it before, but do you think it will be okay for my live plants?

(BTW, I love England! Went to Leeds Uni...)

All the best,
Sean

 

[WILDER]

Are bala sharks scaless fish never kept them need massive tanks, not sure if it will kill your plants does it say in the instructions, leeds is about one hour away from me, nice place.

 

[WILDER]

Forgot do you have any old copper coins or piping as you can sterilise then and put them in the tank, an old method for parasites.

 

[seanus]

Thanks.

Balas have scales, so he should be okay w/ this treatment. Actually, I've used this treatment on these same fish (about a year ago). He has grown about double his size over the year I've had him. So, eventually, I know he will need to be transferred to a bigger tank.

The malchite green doesn't say anything about the plants, but I've had plant deterioration in the past, so hopefully it will be okay.

Thanks again,
Sean

 

[seanus]

Hmm, I can't think of any old copper near by. I moved two months ago & consolidated, so I think I will try the malchite green for now.

Thanks!

 

[seanus]

Nice swordtail photo, btw. Is he a gourami?

 

[WILDER]

Just got it off the net for my avator just said swordtail so not sure, i thought is was a nice looking swordtail, good luck anyway hope they pull through.

 

[seanus]

Thanks, Wilder.

I added the malchite a little while ago & the only thing I am concerned about now is that I just gave them a snack and bala is eating ...

However, my favorite & most special fish (the eartheating Cichlid) is not eating

I performed a 20% water change last night & a fair amount of moldy food flakes were kicked up from the rocks. I guess due to the stress & lack of eating from the fish that died, there has been some over-feeding the past few days. Should I do another water change w/ the gravel vac?

I really don't want to add to the stress anymore than I have to & now that I've added the malchite, the filter has been removed.

Any recommendations?

 

[seanus]

Here is a photo of someone else's eartheater...looks EXACTLY like mine.

Now you see why I will do anything to save him...so much personality & a huge mouth. He builds pyramids around the tank & picks up rocks, one at a time