Is This Fish Tb?

[jnms]

I posted a question in another thread, but I guess I really should make my own thread rather than high-jacking someone elses.

I came here to post a thread as my fish have the following symptoms!

Progressive thinness
Clamped fins
Skeletal deformity
Curved Spine
A little red around gills
Scales loosening and falling out
Random white Spots that appear and disappear
Thinness of Body
Flicking

(Similar symptoms to that other TB thread, except my fish do NOT have stringy poop).

I am losing 2 or 3 fish per week. This has been going on for 2 months. All my fish are Mollys.

These are my water perameters:

Am: 0.0
Ni: 0.0
Nirate: 40
Ph: 7.8

I am concerned it is fish TB.

 

[rifty]

sounds like it mate what are you treating it with?

 

[jnms]

I haven't treated yet. Aside from water changes and melafix.

From what I understand Fish TB needs a pretty srong antibiotic, and those can't be obtained in the UK without prescription - so I'm kinda hoping someone here can give advice regarding treatment.

 

[colleen0309]

Fish TB is relatively rare, but it does happen. Please keep yourself protected. If I remember right, it can be transmitted to humans. Better to be safe than sorry, especially with this particular disease. Sorry for your trouble.

 

[jnms]

Thanks for the advice colleen. I'm keep well away from the water and using long sleeved rubber gloves when I do go in there.

I'm thinking about talking the vets to see what they have to say. But I can't see them giving me antibiotics just on my say so...

 

[jnms]

Could any advise on how I treat this?

 

[colleen0309]

I did a little research on fish tb and found some good articles at www.aquaticcommunity.com/disease/tbc.php. They suggest kanamycin over several months for treatment, or euthanasia. If it is tb, I am so sorry. And yes, it is transmitted to humans and other pets.

 

[jnms]

Thanks for the link.

I don't think there is any way I am going to be able to get kanamycin, as all antibiotics are prescription only in the UK. I don't believe a vet is going to issue me a prescprition based on me saying my fish might have TB.

I have about 14 Mollys left. One or two aren't looking too good, the rest are fine for now. But as I said, I am losing a few fish per week.

Perhaps I will have to get rid of the fish, and sterilize the tank.

 

[loraxchick]

HIGHLY unlikly it is fish tb. Im swinging more to internal parasites. Get a "dewormimg" med that contains metronidozole, lavamasole and or praziquentil.
internal parasites symptoms include:
loss of appetite
bloating or wasting
flicking or rubbing
white stringy or mucousy poo
CURVED SPINE(giving them an "s" shape as above
loss of color/paling
lethargy
hiding
spitting out food
Id suggest you go that route. Does not appear bacterial from the description and as mentioned i doubt it is fish TB...it is rare indeed. And even if it was the likelihood of cure is virtually nil.
all the best
cheers

 

[jnms]

Thanks loraxchick.

A few of the symptoms I forgot to mention are:

pop-eye (both eyes)
loss of scales
sores appearing and disappeaing on body

Would these symptoms also suggest parasites?

 

[jnms]

Just to confirm this. You guys reckon it could be parasites even though there is no white or stringy poo?

 

[colleen0309]

Well, if it is tb, the most likely outcome is the loss of your fish. At this point, I would be inclined to try just about anything. Is there any way you can quarantine the two fish who are sick and treat them for internal parasites. If it works, you could treat the rest of the tank. I'm not a big believer in treating a tank if you don't know what's wrong, but you are losing all of your fish no matter what you do. So, in this case, I'd try the meds for internal parasites. Wish I could be of more help.

 

[jnms]

Thanks colleen, you've been a big help. Gonna start treating for parasites tomorrow and see how it goes.

 

[colleen0309]

Let me know how things work out for you.

 

[laura120381]

hi there,

i read somewhere (can't remember where, prob pfk) that if you take a fish that has died of suspected tb to a vet they will prescribe you with anti-biotics. I am sure it said something about performing a post mortem to discover the cause of death but with the symptoms you describe, perhaps a vet might be able to diagnose through sight alone? i would imagine all this, and the anti-biotics is going to be somewhat expensive though! could be worth it though if you can save some of your fish.

good luck and i'm sorry to hear of your losses. +1 coleen...please be careful not to get contaminated yourself and treat for parasites...worth a try.

L