Hospital tank disaster.

[Dorsal]

I have a sick Rainbow. He had a lump near his stomach. That steadily grew until on Saturday afternoon it burst letting some white stuff out. I had treated the tank the previous week with a general medication. All the while he looked relatively happy (normal).

I bought a 2 foot hospital tank with a new filter to help try and save him. On Sunday (about 30 hours ago) I put him in that. I had no time whatsoever to cycle the tank. I used water out of the main (cycled) tank and put some gravel out of the tank on the bottom. I hope that one fish in thistank it would be ok. I added a strong antibiotic as the trusted LFS recomended.

Unfortunately though, tonight he looks unwell and is off his food (last night he ate). I did an amonia test, and it looks to be about 1ppm. The main tank is alway 0.

So, my question is, should I put him back in the main tank?? He won't be treated, but at least the amonia won't kill him?? Your thoughts appreciated

 

[fraservet]

Unfortunately the outlook is not good for your fish

I would keep him in the new tank and change some water with water from your main tank daily (obviously throwing away the water from the hospital tank, not putting it into the main tank!)
This will help to keep the water parameters better

I suspect it is his illness that is causing him to be unwell, not the conditions in the tank

continue treating with the antibiotic and see how he does

To prevent this problem in the future, you can either keep your hospital tank running with a couple of hardy fish which can be moved to the main tank when a fish is ill, or alternatively run the filter from the hospital tank in your main tank alongside the existing filter and it will be ready to go when required

 

[jrd77]

I am really sorry. I would do a water change in your hospital tank ASAP but I would not remove your sick fish and put him back in the other tank...that's just too stressful on his already stressed out and sick body.

You could add some cycle to the hospital so that the bacteria can try and take care of the ammonia. I would make sure the water in the hospital is nice and warm and you use your antibiotics as directed (you can also add salt if rainbows tolerate it) . I had an Oscar in my hopsital for 3 weeks with some unknown disease (he looked so bad!) and every night I'd say, "he won't make it through the night." But he kept making it and eventually got better. Don't lose hope! Keep medicating (and make sure you take out your charcoal filter...)

Good luck!

 

[Dorsal]

Thanks for the suggestions Both excellent. I will be putting the little filter in the big tank when all this is over to keep it ready should this happen again.

He actually looks a little better tonight as he's swimming around again I will give him a bit of a water change now I think to keep the amonia down. I talked to my trusted fish shop, ans he said that the type of antibiotic can actually increase amonia levels in the water.

 

[squidlips]

was the lump red can you describe it ?

 

[Dorsal]

was the lump red can you describe it ?

It's kind of hard to describe, but it was a lump right on the bottom of his body, just behind his gills that steadily grew. Eventually it started to become red. Then it burst. I've had a look at him tonight, and the area looks quite clean and well. So much so that you can't really see where the lump is.

He isn't eating, and hasn't since Sunday. He's moving well enough. He looks stressed though. His breathing is a little laboured. Tomorrow afternoon I might put him back in the main tank.

 

[Phantom Thief]

I wouldn't recommend putting him in the main tank. Your fish seems to have had some sort of cyst, which burst resulting in an ulcer. If it isn't eating, and has laboured breathing, there is something else wrong with it now, possibly an internal infection.

In any case, putting him back into the main tank will be risking all your fish to being infected too.

P.T.

 

[Dorsal]

I think I owe you all an update. After a week in his little hospital tank with antibiotics and promethal, my poor little rianbow is back in with his mates, and trying to establish dominance over the other fish!!!

I probably put him in a day too early, but I think he's on the mend. He isn't quite as active as he should be, but he has started eating again (furiously), and he seems to be getting better. Here's hoping

 

[Angry_Platy]

That is awesome news....I like hearing the good ending to what could be a bad story

 

[Dorsal]

That is awesome news....I like hearing the good ending to what could be a bad story

Thanks In further news, tonight he was pigging out on blood worms, and generally running around like a mad rainbow