Mystery Ailment

[RandomWiktor]

Ok, here's the scoop. I do this fish rehabilitation project with bettas, getting refunds for those who don't survive and keeping or rehoming ones who do. I picked one up last night and, well, I can't figure out what is plauging the poor little thing. I'm hoping if I list the symptoms here someone will recognize it and help. He is currently in a 2.5 gallon filtered (w/out carbon) aquarium heated to 80 degrees with melafix in the water.

Symptoms:
- Severely emaciated; looks like a head on a stick
- Very pale
- Seems to have trouble turning (moves slow and shudders)
- Seems to be quiverring all the time
- Heavy breathing
However, he IS
- Eating very well
- Swimming just fine, even with the current
- Lacking any apparent signs of fin rot, ick, dropsy, external parasites, fungus, "body fungus" etc.

Can he possibly just be so underweight that he is fairing poorly, or is this the symptom of something I've not encountered yet? Should I add some aquarium salts? Any good foods he can have to build him up (right now he's getting pellets, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen blood worms)?

 

[WILDER]

There is a wasting desease fish can get also what does it look like when the fish goes to the toilet.

 

[RandomWiktor]

I haven't seen him pass a BM yet, but I know he must have because his full belly from feeding has subsided to normal. I will keep a close watch and euth. if he doesn't start putting weight on and looking better.
How contageous is it so I know how careful I need to be? He of course has his own siphoning gear etc. but should I wash my hands really thoroughly with salt/vinegar water if I accidentally touch his water and need to do something with another fish?

 

[WILDER]

Look at this information to see if anything matches up.
Mycobacterium species (Tuberculosis)



A. Gram positive, acid fast rods (M. marinum, M. chelonei and M. fortuitum are the most common Mycobacterium species involved.)



B. All species of fish are affected. This disease affects both saltwater and freshwater aquariums.



C. Clinical signs of tuberculosis are quite variable. The most common signs are anorexia, emaciation, vertebral deformities, exophthalmus, and loss of normal coloration. Numerous variably sized granulomas are often observed in various organs throughout the body. Often numerous acid-fast bacteria are observed in the granulomas.



D. The aquatic environment is believed to be the source of initial infection with fish becoming infected by ingestion of bacterial contaminated feed or debris. Once an aquarium is infected with this disease, it is difficult to remove except by depopulation of the aquarium and disinfecting the tank. Remember this is a zoonotic disease (atypical mycobacteriosis).



E. Atypical mycobacteriosis may manifest itself as a single cutaneous nodule on the hand or finger or may produce a regional granulomatous lymphadenitis of the lymphatics near the original nodule. Occasional local osteomyelitis and arthritis may also occur.

 

[BettaMomma]

Any news on this little guy?
Improvement or otherwise?

 

[RandomWiktor]

Ok, of those symptoms, he def. has the emaciation, spinal deformities, and loss of coloration. However, he has no open sores as I've heard are common when they have TB. He is also eating voraciously.

I am going to risk attempting to treat him. I finished the antibiotic and now have him on an anti-parasite just in case he has any. He is still having a rough time turning but it eating very well. Possibly has put on a little bit of weight. If he does not show more weight gain this week, however, or if his symptoms worsen or sores develop, I will euth. as I can not risk giving myself, my other fish, and my pets TB.

 

[WILDER]

Hope he gets well soon.

 

[BettaMomma]

I hope he can pull thru.
Bless you for trying to make him better.
I'm sure he loves you for it.