Redness Around Otocinclus' Mouth

[Alps]

The two otos that I've had for at least two years now have this bright red around their mouths and when I look from above them I can see a redness through their heads. What can I do? I've been doing bi-weekly 30% water changes and dosing melafix. They aren't really acting oddly, but they are possibly a little less active.

 

[WILDER]

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph.
Melafix is only good on cuts and wounds.
You need a bacterial med.
Do you mean bleeding beneath the skin.

There a desease caused erratic red mouth usually have bleeding beneath the skin in the tummy regions, can effect liver and spleen in fish.

 

[Colin_T]

they could have picked up a virus (similar to a head cold in people). These are usually caused by poor water quality, dirty gravel and overcrowding. But can also be brought into the tank with new fish.
Have you added any new fish to the tank in the last month?

The other thing could be chemical poisoning or a really bad case of gill flukes.

 

[Alps]

How many gallons is the tank.
How many fish and which type.
Water stats in ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and ph.
Melafix is only good on cuts and wounds.
You need a bacterial med.
Do you mean bleeding beneath the skin.

There a desease caused erratic red mouth usually have bleeding beneath the skin in the tummy regions, can effect liver and spleen in fish.

tank is 10 gallon. 1 rubber lip (small), 2 cardinals, 2 sterbai cory, 2 ottos, 2 amanos.
I'm not sure if it is a bleeding, but it is a redness inside their head region. no external wounds so melafix isn't helpful right?
I'll take the water stats and get back to you when I'm at home in a couple hours.

- would a bacterial med be something like pimafix?

they could have picked up a virus (similar to a head cold in people). These are usually caused by poor water quality, dirty gravel and overcrowding. But can also be brought into the tank with new fish.
Have you added any new fish to the tank in the last month?

The other thing could be chemical poisoning or a really bad case of gill flukes.

no, i haven't added fish for over 6 months. doubt its chemical poisoning because it s only affecting the ottos.

- side note : where is perth, WA in comparison to seattle?

 

[WILDER]

No pimafix is no good.
How is there mouths.
Not sure what the red is beneath there head never heard of it before, all I can think of is internal bleeding.
You could try a bacterial med in issolation.
What your location?
Maracyn one and two.
If you can isolate to a hospital tank tetracycline.

 

[WILDER]

Pooling of the blood is septicemia.

 

[Alps]

Pooling of the blood is septicemia.

Well their mouths are in good condition, bellies are full and round as usual. But it isn't an intense red, but more like a light rash type red in their head region.

 

[WILDER]

I would try a bacterial med the ones above and see if that makes a difference.
Good luck.

 

[BBrain]

I've seen redness of the mouth, and under the gill area, in my Otos from time to time, over the last couple of years. I don't know the cause. The redness comes and goes, and the fishes survive okay, and none of my other fishes in that tank get sick, so I've never added any medications.

I've seen this same concern posted on aquaria forums from time to time, but haven't read of any cause, or if it's a serious health concern. So maybe yours will be okay.

 

[Alps]

hey good news. I started changing the water even more frequently, around 3x week at about 30-35% each time and the reddening seems to be lessening a good deal.

 

[WILDER]

Thats good news.