Cichlids Ill....

[Irf]

Hi all,

Here is a pic of one of my sick fish:



It's the golden one at the right of the pic.

The fins and tail are disappearing, and also there is some sort of whitish growth/slime on their body. There are two fish who have this problem, and I have lost two the same way in the last month.

The fish gradually get less active as the illness sets in. I have tried dosing regularly with Melafix -- no change. Normally water changes are weekly, 50%. No recent additions. The tankmates are mostly Malawis, with a couple of plecs and one loach. The tank has been stable otherwise for around 18 months. Filtration: 2 x Eheim 2224, with normal eheim media (no carbon). Decorations: some bogwood and lots of rocks.

Any ideas anyone?

Ammonia: 0
Nitrates: 80 (60 from the tap)
Nitrites: 0
pH: 7.8
Temp: 24C

Thanks for help..... off to do another water change now.

Irf.

 

[Irf]

OK, no responses so far.....

I've just done a massive clean-up (removed most of the rocks), and a 80% water change.

Irf.

 

[WILDER]

The growth are the fluffy looking in appearance.
If the fish is producing for slime and look slimey its a parasite.
Check the gills over to see if they have excess slime on them or red and inflamed.
Any signs of flicking and rubbing.
Any fish laboured breathing.

 

[Irf]

Yes, the growth is a bit fluffy looking - not really slimy I guess. I will check the gills later on when I am home. No flicking and rubbing (but have seen this in other fish that are not currently sick - what does that mean?).

Also the laboured breathing seems to come on later, when the illness is very advanced.

I am inclined to do another large water change this evening unless other ideas are offered.

Thanks,

Irf.

 

[WILDER]

Water change will help dilute the bacteria down in the tank.
Read this article to see what you think.
http/www.flippersandfins.net/flexibacter.htm

 

[Irf]

Wilder - that is a fantastic article...... thank you for the link. Having read it from start to finish I can see that problem is exactly as described here, and it's not slime or fungus but Flexibacter. I will come up with a traetment plan immediately. Unfortunately living in the UK I don't think the various antibiotics described are readily available, especially those incorporated into fish food. I will probably settle for the off-the-shelf remedies available, but now I am far better informed.

Regards,

Irf.

 

[WILDER]

For columnaris in the uk pimafix and myxazin by waterlife.
You will need to increase aeration in the tank as meds reduce 02 in the water.

 

[Irf]

Great - thanks for the pointers. I will get some. No problem with the aeration....

Irf.

 

[WILDER]

Good luck.