Endlers Dieing, Need Advice Fast

[waldo]

I recently got 5 endlers, They went into a well established 5 gallon tank. within a week the first one died, he had clamped fins, faded colors and slight fin rot. I tried melafix but it didn't help.

Yesterday I noticed another showing the same symptoms so I thought maybe there was something in the tank they didn't like. I transfered them into a 29 gallon with 8 tetras, the other sick one died, I figured he would.

The remaining three looked great, bright colored, swimming fast, eating. Now 2 more are showing the same symptoms. The tetras are ok. I started with the melafix again and added some prime just in case. Is there anything else I can do? would some salt help? I just don't know what to do, I don't want to loose all these guys.

I don't know the water parameters, I will get it tested tomorrow when the LFS is open.

 

[sylvia]

What do you mean when you say 'the 5 gallon is established'? Has it got other fish in it?

Melafix isn't a treatment for fish. I keep saying this Melafix won't do anything for a truly sick fish. It's useful for reducing stress or for use generaly preventatively after a water change or whatever - but it's no use with serious illness - you may as well be doing water changes (well, actualy, water changes are far more important and effective and I suggest you do some ).

If the fish showed signs of having finrot, treat them for it. I see you spell 'color' without the 'u' so I assume you're in the USA. Unfortunately, I live in the UK and am not familiar with any anti-finrot med. brands in the US but look for anything that says it treats finrot or external bacterial infections or Flexibacter columnaris or Aeromonas.

Good luck

 

[waldo]

The 5 gallon had a betta in it, I moved him into a different bowl so I could isolate the Endlers.

I will look for fin rot treatment tomorrow, hopefully my fish will make it until then. The melafix bottle said it was for fin rot. Should I treat both tanks since the Endlers have been in them both?

I have been doing small water changes daily, will continue until everyone is well. Thanks for the advice.

 

[sylvia]

I wouldn't treat any tank that doesn't actualy have fish showing symptoms of finrot but do watch both tanks carefuly in case any do develop it.

I know melafix says it's for finrot - but read what percentage of melafix is actualy active and not just some plant extract

About the endler's smaller tank - was it cycled? This is what concerns me - you say you had a betta in it but if you left the tank empty for more than a day or so, it won't have been fully cycled any more and then certainly 5 endler's would cause an ammonia or ntirite spike. Also, does tha tank have a filter and heater seeing as it was a betta tank? If not, there in lies the problem

 

[dwarfgourami]

I wouldn't treat any tank that doesn't actualy have fish showing symptoms of finrot but do watch both tanks carefuly in case any do develop it.

I know melafix says it's for finrot - but read what percentage of melafix is actualy active and not just some plant extract

About the endler's smaller tank - was it cycled? This is what concerns me - you say you had a betta in it but if you left the tank empty for more than a day or so, it won't have been fully cycled any more and then certainly 5 endler's would cause an ammonia or ntirite spike. Also, does tha tank have a filter and heater seeing as it was a betta tank? If not, there in lies the problem

The same company that do Melafix also do an active medication called Pimafix which can be used for bacterial infections. This I have found effective, particularly when used in conjunction with Melafix. Melafix on its own is like drinking orange juce, good for perking you up and helping you to shift your cold, but it's not actually going to cure your pneumonia.

 

[waldo]

I've seen different fin rot meds at the LFS, I live in a small town so I hope they have something as its the only pet store around. I'll let you all know what I get.

Yes the small tank was cycled with a heater and filter. I didn't take the betta out until about 1 hour before I brought the endlers home. The tank had been the betta home for close to a year, there was also 4 neon in it for the last 3 months.

The endlers are still alive this morning and not looking as stressed, but the rot has progressed slightly.

 

[waldo]

Ok, I got tetracycline tables, will treat for 4 days. Will update in a few days.