Signifer Rainbows - Video

[KLKELLY]

Hi guys,

I'm still doing my best to find out what is wrong with them. Summary fish were in the fully cycled tank for one week - acting normal and healthy. I didn't lose one. Filter broke. Lost four of the 1" signifers over the next few days. Ammonia never spiked - I'm anal about checking it and use prime at even the slightest hint of ammonia because I dont want to risk a spike with a PH of 8. Red gills on some, surface breathing ensued over the next five days.

The remaining Signifers have stayed strong for the passed three days. One of them was flicking against the ammonia alert card today and they are doing this wierd thing where they swim and bump along the wall - not like flicking though.

I have no clue whether its bacterial (b/c of the filter breaking) or parasitic - new fish, stress. Theyve lost their colour also. No signs of ich or outward problems. I thought I saw gill filament meaning irritated gills (they are breathing rapid also).

Currently about 7 tsp. of salt in the 20 gallon. They did have two doses of prazi mid week. No noticeable improvement in breathing rate or surface breathing. Surface breathing in the daytime is reduced. I took out most of the plants today thinking they could cause low o2 during the night. Doing small daily water changes (10-15%). Ammonia 0, Nitrate 0, nitrite 0, ph 7.9, temp 75. Two bubble stones (3" x 2) and an AC filter.

Here is a video - hopefully someone can provide some insight so I know how to treat them.

http/s80.photobucket.com/albums/j194/ksi...nt=MVI_2875.flv

I don't have the experience to say what is wrong. Looking for guidance.

Thanks.


Karrie

 

[chibi]

It could be ich. Ich can't always be seen on the outside. I had an outbreak of it and my fish were doing that. I'd wait for some other opinions though because I've never had that kind of fish.

 

[KLKELLY]

In case link didn't work:

 

[WILDER]

Sounds like gill flukes to me, red gills, flicking and rubbing and laboured breathing.
http/article.dphnet.com/cat-02/flukes1.shtml

Are the fish darting around.
The behavour they are showing in the vid is stress.

http/ezinearticles.com/?Skin-and-Gill-Fl...sh&id=78794

 

[KLKELLY]

Thanks Wilder.

What do you recommend? I'm keeping the water perfect.

They went through one night of 1/2 dose quickcure last week, then a back to back dose of prazi. Plus salt in the tank.

They haven't had a full treatment. I'm concerned about salt because there doesn't seem to be enough info on treating the p.signifer. They reacted badly to the salt increase the other night - swimming/wigging out. I did an immediate small water change.

Should I do QC which has formalyn? Would this be a better treatment than restarting a round of prazi?

I'm glad this forum exists!!! They swim real fast sometimes like they are trying to shake something off of them. I wish it was Ich - at least I'd know what was bothering them!

 

[WILDER]

I would remove the salt with water changes as usually they say it no good on flukes.
There clout but it's a united states med.
Have to look prazi up.
Gill flukes are very hard to get rid off.
I had to strip my tank down in the end then medicate again that got rid of them.
Clout
Manufacturer: Aquarium Products
A very strong and effective medication for parasitic and protozoan infestations. Treats: Ich, Hydra, leeches, Planaria, Epistylis, Trichodina, Hexamita,Tetrahy-mena, body fungus, digenetic flukes, parasitic copepods, monogenetic flukes and anchor worms.




Prazi for gill flukes how many rounds have you done with the med.
Any signs of bacterial infections on top as flukes are nasty and like most parasites they do cause bacterial infection on top.

There this but I would only use it as a last resort.

http/www.fishdoc.co.uk/treatments/potass...ermanganate.htm

Gill Flukes



Symptoms:

Fish with gill flukes have gills that may appear red and inflamed, bleeding or slimy. Excess mucous or puss may exude from the gills. Sick fish can be observed gasping for air near the surface. This disease is most common in younger fish and fry, who are more susceptible to the parasite.



Cause:

The monogenetic fluke Dactylogyrus, which destroys gill tissue and damages blood vessels in this region.



Treatment:

Treat with Clout, Fluke Tabs, Paraform, Trifon, Paragon, Quick Cure, Formalin, orParasite Guard. Gill flukes are highly contagious, therefore, all fish in the same aquarium should be treated.

 

[KLKELLY]

Thanks so much Wilder!!!

Karrie