Cure for persistent persistent persistent fin rot

[njparton]

For the past 6-8 weeks my fish have been suffering from persistent fin rot and I just cannot get rid of it.

I've tried Intrepet's Fin Rot treatment, Myxazin, Mylafix etc etc - none have been successful.

My Plec seems to be suffering the most and it's dorsal fin is starting to get very shabby indeed. I've read that if the rot reaches the base of the fin then there's a good chance the fish will die? If so, at this rate it's only got another 2-3 weeks

Does anyone have any advice or a recommended treatment (available in the UK) that might do the trick?

I've tried reducing the temperature to 24C and increasing it to 30C, but nothing seems to help.

The water parameters are as follows:

Ammonia = 0
Nitrite = 0
Nitrate = 30-60 mg/l (over a 7-10 day period, prior to water changes)
pH = 6-6.5
Temp 25C

 

[babyfish]

Couple of questions first,
how big is your tank?
how long have you had it running?
What sort of filtration have you got?
how often do you do water changes and do you clean the gravel at the same time?
have you got any live plants?
how often and how much do you feed?

 

[njparton]

Couple of questions first,
how big is your tank?
how long have you had it running?
What sort of filtration have you got?
how often do you do water changes and do you clean the gravel at the same time?
have you got any live plants?
how often and how much do you feed?

A lot of the info is in my sig - 140L, 8 months, 2 x external filters, weekly 20% water changes, bi-weekly gravel cleaning, loads of live plants and I feed them once a day.

 

[babyfish]

Sorry got to go get my eyes tested, can't read the small print
This sort of problem is usually found with either very new tanks or very old ones.
I got my husband to read out your fish list and I couldn't see any known fin nippers( I have an angel who suffers terribly coz of her long fins).
The only thing I can suggest is run some carbon in your filter for a week or so to remove all the previous medication.Give your gravel a good stir and clean it well during this week as well.Then start the treatment with melafix again, keep up with the water changes and just dose the fresh water each time. As melafix is a natural treatment it can sometimes take a little longer, but it will work in the end
Just a thought but are your angels breeding?They might attack the plec, mine do when they're guarding eggs

 

[Auslander]

Being only a newbie, I cant really help that much, but in one of my books it says to try either Methylene Blue, or Gentian Violet (available from the pharmacist).
Gentian Violet Use a 1% solution directly on the fishes skin, but make sure absolutely none comes into contact with its eyes, gills etc.
Methylene Blue sold as a 1 or 2% dillution. Use a 1% dillution at a rate of 2mg per 10 Litres of water.
Both these should be used in hospital tank as they stain everything they touch from plants to tank sealent.
Hope that helps.

 

[njparton]

Sorry got to go get my eyes tested, can't read the small print
This sort of problem is usually found with either very new tanks or very old ones.
I got my husband to read out your fish list and I couldn't see any known fin nippers( I have an angel who suffers terribly coz of her long fins).
The only thing I can suggest is run some carbon in your filter for a week or so to remove all the previous medication.Give your gravel a good stir and clean it well during this week as well.Then start the treatment with melafix again, keep up with the water changes and just dose the fresh water each time. As melafix is a natural treatment it can sometimes take a little longer, but it will work in the end
Just a thought but are your angels breeding?They might attack the plec, mine do when they're guarding eggs

They spawn about once every 3-4 weeks, but the eggs are eaten overnight by my network catfish.

I may return the catfish as it's starting to hassle my plec, although I'm a bit reluctant as it's a really stunning fish!

PS, I've increased the font size of my signature

 

[njparton]

Being only a newbie, I cant really help that much, but in one of my books it says to try either Methylene Blue, or Gentian Violet (available from the pharmacist).
Gentian Violet Use a 1% solution directly on the fishes skin, but make sure absolutely none comes into contact with its eyes, gills etc.
Methylene Blue sold as a 1 or 2% dillution. Use a 1% dillution at a rate of 2mg per 10 Litres of water.
Both these should be used in hospital tank as they stain everything they touch from plants to tank sealent.
Hope that helps.

I'm not sure how many people use methylene blue anymore as it can apparently be harmful in large doses?

I'm really looking for an off the shelf remedy that's designed for this condition that I haven't tried yet and which has been successful for someone else.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi njparton

Check this thread out:

http/fish.orbust.net/forums/index.php?sh...showtopic=21424

It is a product available in the UK and it may be an appropriate treatment for your problem, or not. You would have to read the label.

There is also a good link on that thread that will give you information about bacterial infections.

I hope it helps and your fish get well.

 

[corymad]

Hi

Sorry to hear of your problems. Please see attached link, written by a pharmacist - it might help. The article isn't just for cichlids and is worth reading with an open mind.

http/www.malawicichlidhomepage.com/aquai...medication.html


In the past, hubbie has put meds directly onto scales with a cotton wool bud. This has worked for numerous fish over numerous years.

 

[Lenna]

I know this may sound really strange, but it works for me. It's tea tree oil. My aunt always uses it to cure fin rot in her goldfish, and since I've been using it I haven't had any fin rot or other fungal diseases. I put 2 drops from an eye dropper in my 12g tank, just enough to give a fine "oil" slick on top. It seems to kill harmful bacteria without damaging the ammonia cycle. I do this every time I do a water change. Can't give you any guarantees though as I've never had plecos. PS I've found methylene blue is pretty useless.

 

[rsgtz]

I had this problem a week ago with all of my fishes
at first i turned the heat to 80 degrees
and i used SALT, MELAFIX, QUICK CURE and the disease disappeared

 

[njparton]

Thanks for all the links

Melafix is based on Tea Tree Oil (you can certainly smell it!!).

 

[Inchworm]

Hi njparton

I've been rereading this thread and noticed that you do very small water changes and infrequent bottom cleaning. Bottom feeders are especially susceptible to bacterial infection if the bottom isn't clean. I vacuum mine every time I do a water change.

You might try increasing both and see if that helps. It won't hurt. Few things do so much to keep fish healthy than having clean, fresh water in their tank.

Also, try to keep your water temperature consistent. Fluctuations, whether up or down, weaken fish and make them less able to resist infection.

I'm bringing this up now because there may be a possibility that your fish is being reinfected, rather than it being the same infection that is ongoing. Since this is a frustrating problem, I thought you might like to consider this as well as just looking at "cures."

 

[njparton]

Hi njparton

I've been rereading this thread and noticed that you do very small water changes and infrequent bottom cleaning. Bottom feeders are especially susceptible to bacterial infection if the bottom isn't clean. I vacuum mine every time I do a water change.

You might try increasing both and see if that helps. It won't hurt. Few things do so much to keep fish healthy than having clean, fresh water in their tank.

Also, try to keep your water temperature consistent. Fluctuations, whether up or down, weaken fish and make them less able to resist infection.

I'm bringing this up now because there may be a possibility that your fish is being reinfected, rather than it being the same infection that is ongoing. Since this is a frustrating problem, I thought you might like to consider this as well as just looking at "cures."

That all sounds like good advice - thanks

Although I'm sure 20% weekly water changes is pretty much standard?

 

[Inchworm]

...Although I'm sure 20% weekly water changes is pretty much standard?

Hi njparton

No, a 20% water change, weekly is not necessarily standard. It all depends on the number of fish, what kind they are, what they are fed, etc. Other factors such as overfeeding could also affect the amount and number of water changes required to keep your tank healthy.

I have a couple of tanks that get 20% or more of the water changed daily because they are overstocked. Actually, they are overstocked with heavily fed young corys, yet they remain healthy and I am convinced that it is due to the frequent and liberal water changes and gravel cleanings I do.

You will not deplete your beneficial bacteria, if you are worried about this. When in doubt it's always better to change too much, rather than too little water.