Poorly Lemon Cichlid

[Alien_spawn]

Hi,

I noticed about two days ago one of my lemon cichlids had fin damage (looked like he had been in a fight and lost)

I've seen this before where they have recovered, i came home today to find his tail fin, well doesn't really exist anymore and its gone red

So I quickly bought a cheap hospital tank for him, and have added melafix- I've kept cichlids for a while now and i guess I've been lucky as this is the only major illness I've had with them.

I was just wondering what are the chances of full recovery. I'm hoping it's not turning into fin rot, other than that he seems pretty much his usual self which I find strange considering how badly his tail is.

Any help / advise would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

AS


Please note: I used filter media from cycled tank and water/ gravel etc from the cycled tank for the hospital tank

 

[WILDER]

Not sounding to good i'm afraid, concerned about the red does it have a red edging like dried blood, or red patches.

 

[Alien_spawn]

Hi its like his outer flesh has been ripped off and its the red underneath, there are tail bones exposed. I guess its like red patches, The yellow of his remaining body seems to look worn and faded too

 

[WILDER]

Sadly it septicemia look under the symtoms as well.
http/www.nosickfish.com/diseases.php?disease=14#

Not the writer of this information below.
Septicemia- A condition where bacteria gains entry into the fish's body through wounds or the stomach. The bacteria can cause failure of the internal organs, damage to body tissue, blood vessels, and result in recognizable symptoms. This often results in internal bleeding, due to the fluids filling the fish's abdomen. Dropsy may occur as a result. The problem with this type of situation is that the bacteria is present inside the fish and safe from the antibiotics you would place in the water. It could be the result of another infection or caused from dirty water. Symptoms: Clamped fins, bulging eyes, red bellies, eroding, reddened fins, lack of appetite, and fish showing signs of being sluggish or exhibiting sluggish behavior. Treatment: It is best to feed the fish antibiotics rather than using the kinds you place directly into the water. Placing the ill fish in a hospital tank is advised while administering treatment. Check your local petstore for some good medicated food or check for antibiotics if necessary. Septicemia is fatal if not treated immediately! top

 

[Alien_spawn]

i think you could be right, bought on by being in a fight, i don't think he'll make it TBH now. but a least his in a hospital tank now

 

[WILDER]

Bless him, do you have any antibiotics as that the last resort, though the septicemia could be to far advanced, but it's the only option left if you want to try, as the melafix will do nothing.

 

[Alien_spawn]

i dont have anything for him other than salt / melafix or stress coat and no shops open this late

actually I wonder if the salt might help? not sure though, but since his been unwell all the other fish have been picking on him so in his own tank at least that cannot happen

 

[WILDER]

Don't need it with the melafix in, usually one or the other, as septicemia is blood poisoning so it won't help anyway, sorry.

 

[Alien_spawn]

I think salt does contain some natural anti bacterial properties, was just searching on antibacterial and antibotics

to see the difference > one inhibits bacterial growth, the other attacks bacterial growth.

So if its blood poisoning its likey that neither would help once its set in......

Damn it> well fed up i cannot do anything for him

 

[WILDER]

Same as with us if caught early yes antibiotics can help, but you have to act fast with septicemia as it soon kills, you need a med like tetracycline a good gram negative and positive antibiotic.

 

[Alien_spawn]

I was just thinking the same sort of thing doctors cut of parts like legs to prevent human death etc

pretty drastic and horrible but it needs to be done to save lives

 

[WILDER]

Yes to stop the blood poisoning from spreading, sad, will you be able to get tetracycline if the fish lasts.

 

[Alien_spawn]

Hopefully pets at home might sell it but not sure even then it will not be until the 6 in the evening when i get back

 

[WILDER]

Fingers crossed and good luck.
Sorry just noticed uk, won't be able to get it only from a vet, anti internal bacteria med by interpet for septicemia, but i doubt it will be strong enough.

 

[Alien_spawn]

Thanks Wilder. I'll have to see how he does fingers crossed African cichlids can be quite tough....so maybe just maybe there could be a very slight chance he might get better fingers crossed