Sick Catfish not responding to treatment

[dlg555]

Hello, my two 14 year old catfish have a disease which was diagnosed as a parasite by my local aquarium store. I have completed two rounds of API General Cure with no success. The aquarium store then suggested another round of API General Cure along with API Triple Sulfa. They had the new doses and next is a another water change. I have added aquarium salt with the water changes along with a dose of Cycle and Stress Coat. My water was tested at the store and it was reported good. Can someone suggest another treatment? Thank you.

 

[Colin_T]

It looks more like excess mucous over a wound and possibly a bit of fungus, and a possible bacterial infection on the face.

API General Cure won't do anything to help the fish.

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Check the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and GH.

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Wipe the inside of the glass down with a clean fish sponge.

Clean the filter if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks. wash filter media/ materials in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. Tip the bucket of dirty water on the garden/ lawn.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a week. Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Add 2 heaped tablespoons of salt for every 20 litres (5 gallons) of tank water. Keep the salt in there for 2 weeks.

When you do the water changes, add salt to the new water before adding it to the tank so the salinity (salt level) in the tank remains stable.

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If there's no improvement after a week of salt and water changes, post more pictures.

 

[dlg555]

It looks more like excess mucous over a wound and possibly a bit of fungus, and a possible bacterial infection on the face.

API General Cure won't do anything to help the fish.

-------------------
Check the water quality for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH and GH.

-------------------
Wipe the inside of the glass down with a clean fish sponge.

Clean the filter if it hasn't been done in the last 2 weeks. wash filter media/ materials in a bucket of tank water and re-use the media. Tip the bucket of dirty water on the garden/ lawn.

Do a 75% water change and gravel clean the substrate every day for a week. Make sure any new water is free of chlorine/ chloramine before it's added to the tank.

Add 2 heaped tablespoons of salt for every 20 litres (5 gallons) of tank water. Keep the salt in there for 2 weeks.

When you do the water changes, add salt to the new water before adding it to the tank so the salinity (salt level) in the tank remains stable.

--------------------
If there's no improvement after a week of salt and water changes, post more pictures.

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I appreciate it.

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Wow, two 14 yrs old boys....LOL

They are almost the same age as some of the members here....

 

[dlg555]

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I appreciate it.

I did the 75% water change and added the salt resulting in positive results already. Their bodies look better and they are acting more normal. Should I continue with a bacterial medication?
Thanks,
David

 

[Colin_T]

What bacterial treatment?

You shouldn't be adding anything except salt with water changes.

 

[dlg555]

What bacterial treatment?

You shouldn't be adding anything except salt with water changes.

Ok thanks, I’ll stick with that and report back

 

[Lajos_Detari]

Actually the salt is for the bacterial treatment. It can also treat parasites.

Salt is the best treatment because the bacteria cannot develop immunity to salt.
If you use anti bacteria medication (anti-biotic), the bacteria can develop immunity against it.
It may work for the first time but it may develop immunity after a while.

 

[dlg555]

Actually the salt is for the bacterial treatment. It can also treat parasites.

Salt is the best treatment because the bacteria cannot develop immunity to salt.
If you use anti bacteria medication (anti-biotic), the bacteria can develop immunity against it.
It may work for the first time but it may develop immunity after a while.

Thank you , I appreciate your input!