When is it right to kill a sick fish?

[njparton]

One of my silver dollars has had a fungal infection for the past 3 months now, and I just cannot get rid of it.

I've tried increasing the temperature and about 8 different off the shelf remedies. I've tried both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial remedies.

The tank temp is at 30C and ammonia & nitrites are at 0 and I do a 25% water change when nitrates hit 40 mg/l. The tank is aerated 24hrs a day. There is no carbon or zeolite in my filter.

One of my clown loaches and both my angels have also caught the same disease, all suffered from white patches/growths on their scales (or skin for the loach), but all have recovered. Some of my other fish started to exhibit fin rot, but have again recovered.

Whenever I stop one treatment to either see if it has worked (usually after 2 weeks...) or to start a different one (leaving 48-72 hours in between), this particular silver dollar always always starts to show white growths and fin rot again.

I don't have a 2nd tank and/or the means to treat it in a bucket etc.

I obviously can't take him back to a shop, what else can I do?

The infection is obviously bothering it, and it's tail fin is only 1/4 as big as it should be. I also feel that the other fish would be a lot healthier and better off with it not around.

Should I consider euthanasia?

 

[Loveless]

yes

 

[mrV]

One of my silver dollars has had a fungal infection for the past 3 months now, and I just cannot get rid of it.

One of my angels had fungal infection too and medicine didn't help. It did go away for couple days but came back everytime. I stoped using medicine, because it didn't seem to help. (Of course, the fish was in hospital tank all time.)

I just changed water daily, prepared it good with turf, conditioners etc. After couple months fish healed. Just by keeping water excellent.

water change when nitrates hit 40 mg/l.

I think 40mg/l is quite high.

You should get "hospital" tank too. Probably it's better to put it down if it didn't get well at all - otherwise other fishes are danger to get same diseases - if the sick fish is in the same tank with others and you have no chance to isolate it.

 

[Cian McLiam]

I would only consider euthanasia if the fish is crashed on the bottom and has no hope of feeding itself.
30C is too warm, the bacteria will multiply faster.

Ken

 

[njparton]

I don't have the room or the cash for a 2nd tank, even a small one...

I only raised the temp to 30C after the first 2 or 3 remedies didn't work and the instructions on the next treatment said to do so... I usually keep my tank at 25-26C.

I must say that to protect the health of my other fish, I'm considering taking action within the next week...

The only water parameter I normally keep track of that I haven't mentioned is pH. That's at 6.5 but I don't suppose that matters really.

 

[Phantom Thief]

I really would reccomend a second tank. Since you cant, possibly a vet, if you care enough. Or in a last ditch effort, you can try the lfs. Only go to one which you trust, or you'll end up with a dozen chemicals for no good reason. If all else fails...then you have no choice but to silence it.

Best of luck,

P.T.

 

[Ob1]

I would get a second or at least something semi perminate to isolate the effect fish. are you using active carbons - this will remove the treatments making them less affective.

If a second tank is not an option, Then I would suggest looking again at the root course of the fungus/fin root.

consider a complete re clean of your tank. ask someone or your lfs to take your fish while you’re re-cycling the tank. double check your analysis of the poorly fish. is it fungus or could it be something else maybe PH burns - I’m not an expert but these things happen for a reason get to the root course

I always thought high temp were good to treat fungus
Ken_g_w
“30C is too warm, the bacteria will multiply faster.”

It makes a lot of since but I’m sure rising the temp will help the fish?


Should I consider euthanasia?

Yes, without any hesitation – you will actually feel better they way. I know I have had to kill 3 fish. I believe the knife is the fastest way. But and there is always a but: only you can observer the fish, we cannot if they are not them self’s, seems stressed and do not eat. I would take responsibility and do the right thing.

 

[Cian McLiam]

Ob1,
I suspect the problem is more bacteria related than fungus. Fungus will attack damaged parts of a fish but if it is constantly re-occuring I have a feeling high levels of free-swimming bacteria in the water are infecting abrasions and fungus is a secondary infection. The bacteria should be the priority if fins are being eaten away.

Warmer water will speed up a fishes metabloism and immune system, they will basically 'live faster' so food digestion increases in speed and fish appear more healthy. It also speeds up the life cycles of parasites allowing the vulnerable stages of their development to be attacked by meds and some parasites die at 30C.

The downside with bacteria infections is that they multiply much quicker in warmer water too, this will outweigh the benifits to the fish. A normal 25C is better when treating bacteria infections, and lots and lots of good clean water helps immesurably. You will also be removing free swimming bacteria with each water change too.

Ken

 

[mrV]

Ken_g_w
“30C is too warm, the bacteria will multiply faster.”

It makes a lot of since but I’m sure rising the temp will help the fish?

Im with Ken, 30C is quite high. For silver dollars temp ~25/26C is good (23-28C) and 30C is over the limit. Usually when you see some scales e.g. temp. 23-28C means, that the fish tolerates temperature from 23-28, middle point is much better than limit points. Decreasing temp slower than 23 or increasing it over 28 isn't good for it.

 

[njparton]

I've tried anti-bacterial remedies as well as anti-fungal.

None work in the longer term and only provide short-term benefits.

I could try putting the problematic fish in a large bucket by a radiator and treating it singly - but I don't have a 2nd heater and I don't suppose a heater in a plastic bucket is a good idea anyway...?

 

[Ob1]

thanks you the information Ken_g_w, I have learnt somthing new today, cheers

 

[haaris]

how do you euthanise a fish?

 

[mrV]

how do you euthanise a fish?

Using scissors, hammer or sharp knife. Or MS222, benzocaine or clove oil (=eugenol). You probably need prescription from vet for MS222 or benzocaine - both are very expensive too.

And if you don't live in USA, you'll find clove oil from e.g. healt (food) store. Clove oil is somehow forbidden in USA. Dentists use to use clove oil in an(a)esthesia. And it is used in fish an(a)esthesia too.

Don't ever, NEVER, put fish into freezer or poiling water, flush them down from toilet or release them back to nature.

 

[Loveless]

I would only consider euthanasia if the fish is crashed on the bottom and has no hope of feeding itself.

I am new on this forum but I think it's cruel to let a fish suffer any longer, especially when it has been sick for 3 months already. Would you rather have a skin irritation for 3 months or you would rather die? I personally would pick the former.

 

[david27]

Its a tough call when to euthanise without seeing the fish. But if you have a well stocked tank then you have to consider the risk to the other stock.

It is a very hard decision to take but one that you alone can take.

Whatever decision you take, if you feel it was the best thing for the fish in the long term then you will feel you have done the right thing, no matter what anyone else may think.

Sorry to be having to answer this sort of post hope alls well soon

David