Very Ill Barbatus

[wolfie]

Hi all
I have a Cory barbatus that has had pink/white mark just back from left eye. Had been there for a month or so and thought it was just a scrape or wound from a fight? Noticed that she was not swimming around much yesterday and took a closer look at her mark to see that it seemed to be deepened by a couple of millimetres. Today she has just barrel rolled around various locations of the tank and has ended up in some java moss. The area now shows blood and I have tried to take a photo. Have added Melafix as suggested by local fish store. Keeping her in community tank as the stress of move I think will kill her. Any advice appreciated.
Wolfie

 

[WILDER]

Sorry if she is rolling not a good sign at all, it could be speticemia, as corys are very prone to bacteria infections, can you post water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate,and ph, how many gallons is the tank plus full stock list of fish and maintance routine.

Not the writer of this information below.

Septicemia



Symptoms:

Fish may have reddening at fin bases, blood streaks throughout the fins and body, small hemorrhages around the eyes. Dull listless behavior and lack of appetite may also be present.



Cause:

Systemic bacterial infection caused by various bacteria, including Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Vibrio. The illness is often brought on by poor water quality or as a result of parasitic infestations or other infections. These bacteria enter the blood stream and circulate through the tissues causing inflammation and damage. Inflamed blood vessels in the skin and at fin bases stand out. Blood vessel and heart tissue damage cause hemorrhaging and consequently leakage of body fluids into the abdomen, which may lead to Dropsy.



Treatment:

Water conditions must be improved for all fish in the tank, regardless of how many fish are infected. Check your water’s Treat with Kanacyn or Tetracycline as well as with a medicated food if the fish will eat. If parasites are suspected, all the fish in the tank should be treated with antiparasitic medication. Using salt to help restore osmotic balance might be helpful.

 

[wolfie]

Additional info
Tank been running for just over two years and was a rescue from a friend who gave up and was waiting for the fish to die! 36"x12"x18" with an external fluval 304 filter with spray bar. Planted with Java Fern, Java Moss and Cryptos.Gravel substrate with Bogwood, slate caves and small ship for cover and hidey holes. Stocked with 3 scissortails®, 1 cherry barb®, 5 penguin fish®, 1 clown barb®, 1 red tail shark, 2 algae eater(1r), 3 cory agazzis, 2 cory barbatus and 4 checkered barbs.(r=rescued) Test done on 5/11/05 pH=6.0 am=0 nitrite=0 nitrate=40ppm. 30 litre water change done on 5/11/05. Usual maintenance routine water change 3 or 4 week of 30 litres (gravel/plants cleaned) and filter cleaned every other time. 15ml of Melafix being added each day now.

 

[WILDER]

Right water stats are good, can you issolate the sick fish as it will need an interpet anti internal bacteria med quickly, but to be honest if the fish is rolling sounds like the septciemia has already got to the fish.

 

[wolfie]

Unfortunally she passed on the 9th November 2005. Thanks for all your advice.

 

[WILDER]

Sorry R.I.P. septicemia is hard to cure sometimes.

 

[Inchworm]

Usual maintenance routine water change 3 or 4 week of 30 litres (gravel/plants cleaned) and filter cleaned every other time.

Hi wolfie

I just saw your thread and want to point out that you are not doing water changes often enough, and that your corys and the other barbatus are at risk of coming down with bacterial infections too.

I would recommend weekly water changes, but the filter need not be rinsed in tank water unless it actually appears to be getting clogged up.