White Film On Catfish

[happy swimmers]

Please help-I have 2 tanks and am constantly struggling with algae. Have problems introducing new fish. But my current problem is a white film that has appeared on my litle catfish. This film doesn't seem to fit any of the descriptions of common ailments. It starts at the top of his head and runs down his body, it's not fuzzy just a film. He's a pretty hearty little guy but seems listless and doesn't seem to be eating. I have an algae eater that chases him around the tank. I added Melafix to the tank. I do not like to resort to chemicals and other additives because I don't seem to have much luck. Can we save him? Thanx

 

[WILDER]

Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type
Water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, ph.
White film on fish can be bad water, bacterial infection to parasites.
You say it runs along the back of the fish does it come down the sides to form a saddle appearance.

 

[happy swimmers]

Size of tank in gallons or litres.
How many fish and which type
Water stats in ammonia,nitrite,nitrate, ph.
White film on fish can be bad water, bacterial infection to parasites.
You say it runs along the back of the fish does it come down the sides to form a saddle appearance.

It is 10 gallon tank. All water readings fine. 4 cherry barb, algae eater, 2 lemon tetra, black knife fish, 1 mollie. Yes! Film does look like saddle. He looks sad. I hope he can be saved. I have had him for a long time.

 

[WILDER]

Tanks overstocked black ghost fish need very large tanks.
What type of algae eaters are they, they produce alot of waste.
Can you tell us your stats.
If the white patches are coming down the sides of the fish its saddleback columnaris.

http/article.discusnews.com/cat-02/columnaries.shtml

http/www.tropicalfish4u.co.uk/acatalog/B...Knife_Fish.html

 

[happy swimmers]

Tanks overstocked black ghost fish need very large tanks.
What type of algae eaters are they, they produce alot of waste.
Can you tell us your stats.
If the white patches are coming down the sides of the fish its saddleback columnaris.

http/article.discusnews.com/cat-02/columnaries.shtml

http/www.tropicalfish4u.co.uk/acatalog/B...Knife_Fish.html

This is not good news. My favorite fish are in that tank-I forgot to mention my dwarf puffer(my ultimate favorite). I change water frequently. Everything is neutral. Vacuum regularly. I do not have ghost knife fish but small black african knife fish about 2 inches long. I was looking to upsize tank but haven't done it yet. These little guys with the exception of knife fish have been happily living together for at least a year with no problems. I did raise the temperature after last cleaning it is usually kept between 75-80 degrees. Do you think there is any hope? I also have 55 gallon tank that I use same equipment on (vacuums, nets, etc.). Have I wiped out my whole population?! 55 gallon does have black ghost knife fish that is about 7 inches long and is hand fed!! Am I going to lose them all?! Is the Melafix going to help? PLEASE HELP!

 

[WILDER]

With bacterial infections need to turn temp down as it multiplies faster in higher temps.
Need more than melafix, maracyn one and two.

With columnaris you need to use both the maracyn meds, you can get very bad strains of columnaris.
Maracyn
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for gram-positive bacterial infections. For infections of columnaris (body fungus), fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, and secondary infections.
Active ingredient: Erythromycin.


Maracyn–Two
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for internal or external gram negative bacterial infections which can even be absorbed through the skin. Effective treatment of fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, dropsy (swollen body, protruding scales), septicemia (bleeding or red streaks on the body), secondary and internal infections. Effective even when fish won't eat.
Active ingredient: Mincycline hydrochlor.

 

[happy swimmers]

With bacterial infections need to turn temp down as it multiplies faster in higher temps.
Need more than melafix, maracyn one and two.

With columnaris you need to use both the maracyn meds, you can get very bad strains of columnaris.
Maracyn
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for gram-positive bacterial infections. For infections of columnaris (body fungus), fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, and secondary infections.
Active ingredient: Erythromycin.


Maracyn–Two
Manufacturer: Mardel
A broad-spectrum antibiotic for internal or external gram negative bacterial infections which can even be absorbed through the skin. Effective treatment of fin and tail rot, popeye, gill disease, dropsy (swollen body, protruding scales), septicemia (bleeding or red streaks on the body), secondary and internal infections. Effective even when fish won't eat.
Active ingredient: Mincycline hydrochlor.

Thanks for detailed information. Little guy's hanging on. That's an awful lot of chemicals. Is it safe? Should I leave filter out and let tank cycle? Is this a daily treatment? Just wondering because I haven't had much luck with chemicals or other treatments. I use bottled water and no salt. Seems as if when I add salt or additives I lose fish. Best results with Aquasafe and distilled water. Thank you so much. Didn't know fish keeping was going to be so complicated and time consuming. Thanks so much.

 

[WILDER]

The maracyn one and two shouldn't touch your bacterial colony in the filter, but It does knock it to be honest.
Need maracy one and two to cover gram negative and positive bacteria, you can use both meds together.

 

[happy swimmers]

The maracyn one and two shouldn't touch your bacterial colony in the filter, but It does knock it to be honest.
Need maracy one and two to cover gram negative and positive bacteria, you can use both meds together.

Sounds great. I did 5% water change last night. Did another water test and nitrate levels were off the chart. Water was also very hard. Did water change with Aquasafe additive. Took out filter and added more Milafix. Didn't have time to go to store and get other treatments. Will do first thing in the morning. Should I do salt bath for the little guy or just leave him and add the treatment? Do you think it is safe to add with Milafix? Checked him this morning and there doesn't seem to be as much film but he does have small lesion next to one of his fins and his eyes are cloudy. Still not eating and lethargic. I hate to see them suffer and not be able to do something.

 

[WILDER]

Catfish are scaless fish so can't handle to much salt.
A salt bath with be good but only a few teaspoons of salt.
Melafix won't harm the fish but you will need to get the stronger meds.
You can use melafix with anti internal bacteria meds.
Cloudy eye is a symtom of a desease not a desease in its self, old age, stress, poor diet, parasites to bacterial infectons.

 

[happy swimmers]

Catfish are scaless fish so can't handle to much salt.
A salt bath with be good but only a few teaspoons of salt.
Melafix won't harm the fish but you will need to get the stronger meds.
You can use melafix with anti internal bacteria meds.
Cloudy eye is a symtom of a desease not a desease in its self, old age, stress, poor diet, parasites to bacterial infectons.

OK. Lowered temperature. Did 20% water change with through vacuuming 2 days ago. Did another vacuuming tonight with 50% water change. Isolated my little guy in hanging seperater on side of tank cuz others were picking on him. Treated tank with Maracyn TC and Maracyn 2. Little guy seems a little more active and coherent. Leaving lights off for exteneded time and feeding less with medicated fish food. Hoping for the best. Eventhough I don't have any issues with my 55 gallon except high Nitrate. Did 10% water change with through vacuuming 2 days ago and another vacuuming and 25% water change today also added some live plants. Plan on doing another water change every other day until I can get Nitrate under control. Do you think it's too much at one time? Going to sleep now hopefully all is well in the morning.

 

[WILDER]

As long as your'e not altering stats to fast its fine, best way to do it like you are doing.
Good luck.

 

[happy swimmers]

As long as your'e not altering stats to fast its fine, best way to do it like you are doing.
Good luck.

Thanks for your time and advice. Checked this morning all is well, no casualties so far. All seem happy except my Molly. Seems to playing in current-little wobbly if that makes sense. Anyway well keep up vacuuming and water changes until I get a balance. Learned a lot this week feel like a junior chemist. Thank you again-well keep you posted on progress. Thanx

 

[WILDER]

I know there plenty to learn and you never stop learning.
Good luck.

 

[happy swimmers]

I know there plenty to learn and you never stop learning.
Good luck.

Yipppie! My little catfish started eating today! He's also been swimming around his little area. Think he wants out. Going to keep him in there for a few more days. Nitrates are down to an acceptable level-still adding the meds and doing 1 gallon water changes daily. Hoping for the best. Still has film on him but his eyes look clearer. Still working on 55 gallon tank-little change in nitrates-all inhabitants look well- they seem to enjoy the new water. Anyway was thinking about adding melafix to tank just as a precaution. Should I do this now, wait till I get nitrates under control, or not at all? Thanks for your help.