What Is This?

[WILDER]

Do the fish still have the dusting on them?

 

[WILDER]

This is a good article on velvet.,
http/www.skepticalaquarist.com/oodinium

Just check the symptoms, and take a look at your fish.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Hey WILDER, my danios are a lot worse today. The brown patches appear to be developing on them all, their flanks are losing colour but instead of generalised loss it appears to be in very specific areas with straight lines where colour loss starts and ends dramatically. On one of the danios the gill plate is a complete red coloration. One of their backs is in a very steep slope between the head and dorsal fin. One of their stomachs is very angular and pinched.

Something occurred to me, could it be genetic? As they are long-finned i would imagine inbreeding is a very real possibility and to be honest the shop i got them is a bit iffy.

Edit: All my other fish are fine except the gourami's red patches for which i think i will get an anti internal bacteria med for.

 

[WILDER]

I would get treating with an internal bacterial medication.
Do the brown patches look like cotton wool, as this can be columnaris. Which is also bacteria.

Also make sure the spine not curved, or bent.
Keep a look out for when your fish go to the toilet.

The fish do sound terrible. Is it possible to isolate the sick fish.,

 

[Tuxyu3]

Unfortunately isolation is not possible, the only other decent lengthways tank I have is only 3 gallon and is being used to hatch killi's anyway. The patches do not look like cotton wool, they almost look 'scabby' a bit like very dark blood has dried there, though I know of course that is impossible. The spine does not appear bent, it is just the top of the fish between head and dorsal fin is very angular and steep as a pose to being a gradual curve/bend. I will get the internal bacteria medication tomorrow, I know the instructions will probably say anyway but should I half dose for the cory's and kuhli's?
If it was just one of these symptoms the fish would not look too bad at all, it is just all these little things in conjunction that makes it look so severe as previously mentioned all other fish are fine apart from the Gourami's presumed bacteria problem.

 

[WILDER]

Is it possible to take one of the sick fish to the LFS for a skin scrape.

There no need to half dose with bacterial medications. I'ts only the copper based medication you have to half dose for sensitive fish.

Get the bacterial medication as quick as possible.

 

[Tuxyu3]

The nearest LFS is not a very good place and I don't think they would even do a water test. The closest fish shop that I think would even consider it is at Lear 30mins away. If they do do it would it be worth the trip there and back? I have dosed with the internal bacterial medicine, how long should it be before I see results?

 

[WILDER]

Anti internal bacteria medication is only effective on mild bacteria infections.
You can double dose in severe cases.
If the fish do have a severe bacteria infection you really need to use antibiotics.

 

[Tuxyu3]

My Gourami's have been showing symptoms for months (I didn't realise at the time) with no change, is this a sign the infection is mild? If I did need the antibiotics where would I obtain them?

 

[WILDER]

If it was a mild bacteria infection your fish has, yes they can show symptoms for months.

I still worried as it could be both parasite, bacterial.
I need to read the whole post again. As it beginning to get abit confusing.

Furanol 2 by JBL. Will wipe the good bacteria out in your filter.
Antibiotic can only be prescribed by a doctor, or vet, in the UK. Will also wipe the good bacteria out in your filter.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Yea, things like this do tend to get confusing, sorry about that. I personally am swaying towards it being bacterial as the Gourami's are showing (or have shown over the past few months) most of the symptoms listed on the medicine, which is Interpet Anti Internal Bacteria by the way. I have another tank so if I have to end up using a bacteria-killing medicine I could re-seed from that.

 

[WILDER]

Take a sample of your water to the LFS to be tested. As them if the wouldn't mind writing the readings down for you,

How often do you maintain your filter, remove ornaments for a good gravel vac?

Have you replaced your old filter with a new one?

OK. You posted while I was replying.

For now carry on with the internal bacteria medication. If no improvement in 5 days, don't hesitate to post back.

 

[Tuxyu3]

I will post back then one way or another to let you know the results. I try to do a water change and maintain my filter once a week. My only ornaments are a bridge and some wood so I usually pick them up and give the sand a good vacuuming every water change. Filter has not been replaced yet, I have still not decided what I want to replace it with.

 

[WILDER]

Ok. Sounds fine to me.
Once a filter not working properly it can cause a raise in ammonia, nitrite.

Why not start a thread asking members to recommend a good filter for your tank.

 

[Tuxyu3]

Well, this is the third day of treatment and I believe it may just be doing the trick. The fish are all very happy in their behaviour, swimming and chasing each other as you would expect. The brown marks are still on the worst affected danio though they are no worse. The Gourami's have shown no streaking since the day I becan treatment (touchwood).

PS. Instead of cluttering things up with a new thread I am just checking out old ones before posting a topic asking if my final decision sounds good, I think I am honing in on an All Pond Solutions filter.