Finrot On Guppies & Plec(plus Cotton/white Slime)

[ChrisChrisChris]

Plec & 2 guppys with finrot, no wonder they've been sat in a dirty uncleaned tank for along time!

Ive done a water changed, cleaned the tank up and the guppys coloured tail seemed to improve over past few days.

Do i automatically use medicine, or is finrot (and cottom wool like growth on the Plec) just a result of bad water/will clear up on its own?
Also does Number 8 finrot & fungus (Interpret brand) affect biological filter/bacteria in the filter?

PH 7.5 and nitrite 0 according to petshop(they didnt show me, went into the back room *sigh*).


Appreciate your guideance!

 

[MiB1986]

Plec & 2 guppys with finrot, no wonder they've been sat in a dirty uncleaned tank for along time!

Ive done a water changed, cleaned the tank up and the guppys coloured tail seemed to improve over past few days.

Do i automatically use medicine, or is finrot (and cottom wool like growth on the Plec) just a result of bad water/will clear up on its own?
Also does Number 8 finrot & fungus (Interpret brand) affect biological filter/bacteria in the filter?

PH 7.5 and nitrite 0 according to petshop(they didnt show me, went into the back room *sigh*).


Appreciate your guideance!

not really up on guppies as i have never had any problems with them, as for pleco be very careful, it sounds like the start of coliflower/brocolli diease which is not nice and can destroy the fish!.

There is nothing you can add or do if it is coliflower/brocolli diease, except for keep treating the wounds with some metaflex, it will go away eventurally (approx 4+ months) if the fish can survive it, they will have scars for life. I have several plecos i brought because i felt sorry for them and put them in isolation untill they were better, it takes time, alot of time.

Additionally other fish can get it, more websites recommened you kill the fish which is contaminated, i strongly disagree if you have time to wait.

most medicine does not effect your filter growth, personally i always use at least two filters in all my tanks, and then different makes as each filter works differently, ie one elite and one fluval, one jewel and one fluval, etc... normally you just remove the carbon. (which should be replaced reguarly anyway.

best of luck,

 

[OldMan47]

There are not many disease experts in this part of the forum. Have you tried posting in the Tropical Fish Emergencies instead? Lots of good help there for things like this.

 

[Tolak]

First of all, fill this out to help us help you;


Tank size:
pH:
ammonia:
nitrite:
nitrate:
kH:
gH:
tank temp:

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):

Volume and Frequency of water changes:

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:

Tank inhabitants:

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):

Exposure to chemicals:

Digital photo (include if possible):

A poorly maintained tank needs small frequent water changes from the start, 10% daily for about a week. This assures that there is not a sudden change in water parameters which could cause various problems.

Without a picture it is a real shot in the dark, but from the limited info provided it is probably columnaris, a more common bacterial disease often associated with poorly maintained tanks. Lymphocystis, a much less often seen viral disease, and normally has no cotton like appearance to it.

Any antibiotic that affects gram negative bacteria will affect the nitrifying bacteria in your filter to some extent. For columnaris you would want an antibiotic that treats gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria. You will also want to remedicate daily with a 50% water change, for 10-14 days. The water changes negate the effect of the antibiotics on your nitrifying bacteria, this is why a separate medication tank is a good idea for ill fish.

If it is lymphocystis there really is no cure, as is the case with most viral infections. This is another one where large water changes will help, as the lesions and growths will release viruses into the water column.

Carbon is pretty much useless after a few days, it has absorbed all the contaminants that it can. Many aquarists never run it save for a few very select situations. As stated, remove the carbon if you are medicating, as carbon will remove many medications.