Having Some Big Problems And Don't Know Why - Help Please

[SouthernCross]

Could some experts please do me a huge favour and check out my thread in the New World Cichlid forum here:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/436792-ellioti-wasting-away-advice-please/

I have a huge problem, what started out as some thin Ellioti has spread to sudden deaths if other fish in my tank and I'm at a loss what to do next.

If you could post any help you can offer in that thread I'd be most appreciative.

Cheers

 

[techen]

Could you not reply to Stars questions so we could get more detailed information?

 

[nic1]

Just another thought to add on to star4 question list, when you change the water, what container are you using if any? is there any chance that it was used for something else involving other chemicals?

 

[TwoTankAmin]

One of the main issues with wasting disease is determining the cause. That is because there are few potential casses which are totally different and which would require different treatments. Here are the two most common.
 
The first, and nastiest possibility, is Mycobacteria. This can be very slow progressing and confirmation requires microscopic evaluation. There are several treatment regimins one can find for trying to treat such infections. However, ther are favious strains of mycobacteria and pinpointing which one may have takes some help from a lab or vet. Here is an abstract from research on zebra danio populations kept in labs for research:
 

Abstract 
Two established zebrafish colonies experienced increased mortality and decreased reproductive performance. Initial examination of several fish from one facility revealed hyperemic gills, petechia around the opercula, abdominal distention, and emaciation. Affected fish had congested liver with inflammation and multifocal hepatic necrosis. Large numbers of acid-fast-positive, rod-shaped bacteria were evident in multiple tissues and the blood. Mycobacterium fortuitum was subsequently isolated from several fish. Zebrafish from the second facility had skin erosions and ulceration along the flank just caudal to the pectoral fins. Large numbers of acid-fast-positive, rod-shaped bacteria were observed within the necrotic centers of well-demarcated, multifocal granulomas in gonads, liver, and peritoneum from affected fish.  Mycobacterium abscessus and M. chelonae were isolated and identified biochemically. Definitive diagnosis in these outbreaks was obtained by culture on selective media. Because Mycobacterium spp. grow extremely slowly and positive confirmation may require 45 to 60 days, Mycobacterium species-specific polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to provide a rapid screening assay for Mycobacterium spp. as well as for verification of culture results. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of mycobacterial infection in laboratory-maintained zebrafish and provides guidelines for diagnosis, management, and prevention of atypical mycobacteriosis in laboratory zebrafish colonies.

from http/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11200575
 
The next potential cause for wasting disease is completely different and, in my opinion, the more commonly found cause which is internal parasites. Again, this can be hard to diagnose. However the following information can be of help in this respect: http/www.inkmkr.com/Fish/FlubendazoleArticle.pdf
 
The above article deals with things in detail and includes the following information:

The hydra-killing Flubendazole that I used in my office aquarium to eradicate hydra led me to a larger realization. The “wasting” fish in that tank seemed to become cured when I added Flubendazole to the water. Whoa! This was quite a remarkable revelation. My intent was to remove the hydra and any possible nematodes and, to my surprise, the disease I have found to be associated with a particular protozoan species was cured.

 
I have used this med to treat wasting with some success. The problem is I am not sure the drug is available in Australia. The nice thing about it is that it is effective when added to the water so it is useful when the fish have stopped eating.
 
The problem here is in knowing which cause might be present as well as the possibility that both can be present at the same time. In any case, one's treatment options are limited by what country one is in and what meds may be available. Also, in most cases, one will need to treat the whole tank rather than using a hospital tank since either of the above causes can spread to other fish.
 
Finally, you may also want to have a quick read here: http/www.loaches.com/Members/shari2/skinny-disease/chronic-wasting-syndrome-aka-skinny-disease/what-is-chronic-wasting-syndrome-1/

 

[SouthernCross]

Have answered the questions...

I run a garden hose for my water changes, always have done and no dramas until now...

Hopefully things are improving as I haven't had any more deaths yet... Will continue to monitor closely.