Eel Ailing

[fengyu]

I've had a tire track eel for one year and have merely feed him with nightcrawler worms. He has never tried to eat other foods except them. His size is about 10 inches. I lately found that he seems to be breathing with difficulty and he has some rather large white spots and some redness on the underside, almost as if the skin were burned (not ick-type spots). I thought since he prefers to hide he may have scraped against the rocks too much. Can anyone help with a diagnosis? How can I treat him? What medicine would be helpful to him? Thank you.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

Need more info on your situation first;

a. how many gallons does the tank hold he is in and how long has it been set up?
b. do you have any recent test results for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates and if so can you post them to us?
c. what other fish and how many does the tank hold?
d. how long has his condition been progressing?

 

[fengyu]

I've had a tire track eel for one year and have merely feed him with nightcrawler worms. He has never tried to eat other foods except them. His size is about 10 inches. I lately found that he seems to be breathing with difficulty and he has some rather large white spots and some redness on the underside, almost as if the skin were burned (not ick-type spots). I thought since he prefers to hide he may have scraped against the rocks too much. Can anyone help with a diagnosis? How can I treat him? What medicine would be helpful to him? Thank you.

Thanks for replying.

A. 20 gallon tank set up more than a year ago
B. ammonia and nitrites both tested at zero today. Do not have test for nitrates at present.
C. the eel, one algae eater and one molly - live plants
D. about two weeks for the condition - returned from 10-day vacation a few days ago - condition was ok prior. During trip the caretaker fed a nightcrawler about every two days. Past five days he has not eaten.

 

[mellowserra]

Tyre tracks have tender skin which can be torn on rocks and in gravel, it is recommended to keep them in a tank with a sand bottom.

You need to take care that he does not get a bacterial or fungal infection in his sores. Maintaining excellent water quality at this time is a must.

Adding a small amount of salt to the tank will assist in healing his wounds to heal faster. (What kind of algae eater do you have? Plecos are not very salt tolerant, it is hard on their kidneys!)
You can add "aquarium salt", found at most pets/aquatics stores, or you can use "kosher salt", which can be found in a grocery store. Do not use iodized salt or regular table salt! You can add a tablespoon per gallon, be sure to mix it in a separate container before adding it to the tank.

Melafix is an excellent product for preventing bacterial infections.

If you are already noticing signs of a bacterial infection, you may want to go with something a little stronger, an internal bacterial med, Maracyn 2 has always done a great job for me.

I might also add that the eel you have should reach a size of about 40 inches and MUST be moved into a much larger tank as SOON AS POSSIBLE. 180 gallons or more is preferable for this species.

 

[fengyu]

Thanks for all the good information. I will try your suggestions. Someone else on another forum suggested perhaps he was wrapping around the heater and burning himself. I am not 100% certain on the variety - am basing on photos I've seen online. He was about 6" at the pet store several months ago - cost $20 - they never said what his adult size would be. Am recently new to this forum. Perhaps I can upload a photo of him and you could assist in identification? 180 gallons is beyond my ability - if it proves he is a tire track and 40 inches will be his adult size I guess I'll have to see if an aquarium store would be interested in buying him assuming I get him back to good health.

Tyre tracks have tender skin which can be torn on rocks and in gravel, it is recommended to keep them in a tank with a sand bottom.

You need to take care that he does not get a bacterial or fungal infection in his sores. Maintaining excellent water quality at this time is a must.

Adding a small amount of salt to the tank will assist in healing his wounds to heal faster. (What kind of algae eater do you have? Plecos are not very salt tolerant, it is hard on their kidneys!)
You can add "aquarium salt", found at most pets/aquatics stores, or you can use "kosher salt", which can be found in a grocery store. Do not use iodized salt or regular table salt! You can add a tablespoon per gallon, be sure to mix it in a separate container before adding it to the tank.

Melafix is an excellent product for preventing bacterial infections.

If you are already noticing signs of a bacterial infection, you may want to go with something a little stronger, an internal bacterial med, Maracyn 2 has always done a great job for me.

I might also add that the eel you have should reach a size of about 40 inches and MUST be moved into a much larger tank as SOON AS POSSIBLE. 180 gallons or more is preferable for this species.

 

[mellowserra]

Had to borrow a picture, no digicam. Does he look like this?: