FoundMoney
Fish Crazy
I have a 30 gallon planted tank with pressurized CO2. The tank is very mature and the current tank mates have been in the tank for anywhere from several months to several years. I don't test a lot since the tank has been running fairly smoothly, but I do have ammonia and nitrate test kits. Ammonia is at 0 and nitrates are at about 20 PPM. Temp is 78 degrees. Water is soft from the tap and pH runs between 6-6.5. 25% water changes are done 1-2 times per week.
The tank is stocked with 2 geophagus type cichlids, as well as a rainbow fish, 10 rummy nose tetras, 5 otocinclus and 1 clown pleco. Not 100% sure of the actual geophagus type but they are eartheaters and are probably S. juripari or g. altifons.
The tank is planted with about 10 stem of ludwidgia repens, 15 stems of cabomba carolina, a large Amazon sword, some contortion val, and some willow moss.
One of the cichlids has what appears to be blotches of gray on its body. They aren't fuzzy or anything; they just look discolored. The fish still has its appetite but does hide or stay near the surface more and also has shown some mild "darting" or "shaking" as if in discomfort The tail fins are also ragged. This fish has been getting bullied by the other cichild. I've bought both fish at the same time around 3 years ago. One fish was always dominant but bullying seems to have stepped up. The tail fins looked a little ragged for a while but I chalked it up to aggression. Frayed tail does look a bit worse in recent days.
My guess is the fish has columnaris from the stress of being bullied. No other fish are currently showing signs.
Not knowing exactly what the problem (or the cure) is, I've treated the tank with aquarium salt at slightly less than 1 TB per 5 gallons. After 1 day, the gray spots seem to have subsided a little, although behavior has not returned to normal and there are still traces of the blotches. However, I was out late last night and didn't have a lot of time to observe the fish. I was also reluctant to turn on the full lights so was using ambient room light to view the fish last. It remains to be seen what condition the fish will be in when I get home this evening.
I have a packet of Tetra Fungus Guard but have been reluctant to use it for a few reasons, the main one being that I'm not sure if this will work. I understand columnaris is bacterial infection but the medicine is actually for fungus or "fungus like" bacterial infections. Active ingredients are nitrofurazone, furzolidone and potassium dichromate.
Looking for help on diagnosis as well as possible remedies. If the fish doesn't appear to be getting worse when I get home I'm tempted to do another water change and just replace the salt that's taken out. I'm reluctant to try the medication as I don't want to use the wrong meds or adversely affect my tank, fish, plants or biofilter unnecessarily. I've heard the medication can stain the tank blue. I guess I could live with that if it saves the fish. I also know that columnaris can attack swiftly and can be deadly so it might make sense to be a bit more aggressive in treatment.
Your thoughts?
The tank is stocked with 2 geophagus type cichlids, as well as a rainbow fish, 10 rummy nose tetras, 5 otocinclus and 1 clown pleco. Not 100% sure of the actual geophagus type but they are eartheaters and are probably S. juripari or g. altifons.
The tank is planted with about 10 stem of ludwidgia repens, 15 stems of cabomba carolina, a large Amazon sword, some contortion val, and some willow moss.
One of the cichlids has what appears to be blotches of gray on its body. They aren't fuzzy or anything; they just look discolored. The fish still has its appetite but does hide or stay near the surface more and also has shown some mild "darting" or "shaking" as if in discomfort The tail fins are also ragged. This fish has been getting bullied by the other cichild. I've bought both fish at the same time around 3 years ago. One fish was always dominant but bullying seems to have stepped up. The tail fins looked a little ragged for a while but I chalked it up to aggression. Frayed tail does look a bit worse in recent days.
My guess is the fish has columnaris from the stress of being bullied. No other fish are currently showing signs.
Not knowing exactly what the problem (or the cure) is, I've treated the tank with aquarium salt at slightly less than 1 TB per 5 gallons. After 1 day, the gray spots seem to have subsided a little, although behavior has not returned to normal and there are still traces of the blotches. However, I was out late last night and didn't have a lot of time to observe the fish. I was also reluctant to turn on the full lights so was using ambient room light to view the fish last. It remains to be seen what condition the fish will be in when I get home this evening.
I have a packet of Tetra Fungus Guard but have been reluctant to use it for a few reasons, the main one being that I'm not sure if this will work. I understand columnaris is bacterial infection but the medicine is actually for fungus or "fungus like" bacterial infections. Active ingredients are nitrofurazone, furzolidone and potassium dichromate.
Looking for help on diagnosis as well as possible remedies. If the fish doesn't appear to be getting worse when I get home I'm tempted to do another water change and just replace the salt that's taken out. I'm reluctant to try the medication as I don't want to use the wrong meds or adversely affect my tank, fish, plants or biofilter unnecessarily. I've heard the medication can stain the tank blue. I guess I could live with that if it saves the fish. I also know that columnaris can attack swiftly and can be deadly so it might make sense to be a bit more aggressive in treatment.
Your thoughts?
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