OMG need help bad something on FW fish

meagheavz · 10-09-2007, 08:01 PM

i noitce this on my FW pelco today

meagheavz · 10-09-2007, 08:36 PM

anyone know wut it is pelase help

leoskee · 10-09-2007, 10:34 PM

Thats a fungal infection. Did he get caught in a net? His fin is badly infected to the pioint that you see the bone (white tip). If possible, QT him and treat him with Maracyn 2 by Mardel. You should remove your carbon before treating the tank.

I would avoid dosing the tank because Maracyn will kill your beneficial bacteria that helps filtration. If you have to, make sure to add carbon immediately after the treatment and use Cycle to help reseed your tanks bacterial colony. Don't forget to do several small water changes over a 2 week period.

*Disclaimer: Im pretty sure about the advice I gave you but I havent used any of those products in over 15 years. Check your LFS to see if they have any newer meds. You can also search for fresh water forums.

Good luck.

meagheavz · 10-09-2007, 11:41 PM

i have melafix and pimafix.. IDK he hides out i hav a cave that he goes in like all day he only comes out at night and i he was in a diffrent cave that u can see it and i put a flash light and i was like WTF...im hoping that works..

**KathyC** · 10-10-2007, 12:58 AM

Meg..if you have a QT tank, that would be the best place to treat him.
Melafix & Primafix won't help at this point as they are for minor things.

The Maracyn 2 would be a good treatment - follow the dosage instructions on the package carefully & do the water changes as instructed. I would suggest a large water change BEFORE starting the medication. It is quite unusual for this type of catfish to get a fungus infection like that as they are know as 'armor plated' catfish..the skin is very tough
If you put him in a QT tank to medicate..make SURE you have an airline in there.
If you don't have a QT tank & can't set one up, you'll have to use your current tank (forgot what size it is..) and DO remove the carbon (it will absorb the medication) as Leo pointed out. And he is correct about adding the product 'Cycle' after he is on his was to a cure as the medication WILL cause your tank to cycle again.

My other concern is that he is way too thin for what type of fish he is...(Gibbiceps Pleco) Are you feeding him the algae wafers? How many per day and are you putting them into the tank right before the lights go out?

Do you realize how big he will get when he grows up? I have 2 of them..one is 16" and the other is 17".
Please keep us updated on his condition!

fritz · 10-10-2007, 10:59 AM

Looks like he got caught in a net.

In all seriousness, fungus. I've treated fungus with salt in the past. Wouldn't hurt to add a bit of salt to the water in addition to the treatments already recommended.

**KathyC** · 10-11-2007, 03:40 AM

Not to disagree Fritz..but I need to ..Plecos don't deal well with salt and this fish is already way too stressed with that fungal infection. I'd almost like to suggest that she do a fast SW dip first...

Meg - I want to change something I posted here..use Maroxy instead of Maracyn2. It won't damage (as in kill) your tanks bacteria and you can treat him in the current tank, just remember you need to take out the carbon first.
You should be able to find it any any well stocked lfs.
Please don't delay, that is a nasty infection he has there!

meagheavz · 10-11-2007, 12:20 PM

hes never been in a net since ive had him..

leoskee · 10-11-2007, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyC


	Not to disagree Fritz..but I need to ..Plecos don't deal well with salt and this fish is already way too stressed with that fungal infection. I'd almost like to suggest that she do a fast SW dip first... Meg - I want to change something I posted here..use Maroxy instead of Maracyn2. It won't damage (as in kill) your tanks bacteria and you can treat him in the current tank, just remember you need to take out the carbon first. You should be able to find it any any well stocked lfs. Please don't delay, that is a nasty infection he has there!

Maroxy is for external parasites such as ick and velvet. It will do little to help out in this type of situation. You need a strong antibiotic at this stage of the game. If not the pleco will probably lose the use of the fin. This can lead to further internal problems. This might be the reason why it is so thin. Dont worry too much about treating in the tank. Cycling is not as detrimental in fresh water tanks as it is in our hobby. By know I hope you have done SOMETHING.

As far as the comment about armour plating, pleckos have hard scales that lay on top of each other that create the "armour". But this does not apply to areas where soft tissue connects, such as fins connecting to spines and the length of the bottom of the fish.

meagheavz · 10-11-2007, 05:55 PM

yes ive done something..ive used a few things id idnt get wut anyone said here though.. and went a show a fish docter who gave me things

10-09-2007, 08:01 PM	#1
meagheavz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: longisland NY Posts: 480 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (1)	OMG need help bad something on FW fish i noitce this on my FW pelco today Last edited by meagheavz; 10-09-2007 at 08:47 PM.

10-10-2007, 12:58 AM	#5
KathyC Rafflemeister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Barnum Island Posts: 4,709 Reefer Ratings: (80) Friends: (53)	Meg..if you have a QT tank, that would be the best place to treat him. Melafix & Primafix won't help at this point as they are for minor things. The Maracyn 2 would be a good treatment - follow the dosage instructions on the package carefully & do the water changes as instructed. I would suggest a large water change BEFORE starting the medication. It is quite unusual for this type of catfish to get a fungus infection like that as they are know as 'armor plated' catfish..the skin is very tough If you put him in a QT tank to medicate..make SURE you have an airline in there. If you don't have a QT tank & can't set one up, you'll have to use your current tank (forgot what size it is..) and DO remove the carbon (it will absorb the medication) as Leo pointed out. And he is correct about adding the product 'Cycle' after he is on his was to a cure as the medication WILL cause your tank to cycle again. My other concern is that he is way too thin for what type of fish he is...(Gibbiceps Pleco) Are you feeding him the algae wafers? How many per day and are you putting them into the tank right before the lights go out? Do you realize how big he will get when he grows up? I have 2 of them..one is 16" and the other is 17". Please keep us updated on his condition! __________________ Don't just treat the symptom, remedy the cause!

10-11-2007, 03:40 AM	#7
KathyC Rafflemeister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Barnum Island Posts: 4,709 Reefer Ratings: (80) Friends: (53)	Not to disagree Fritz..but I need to ..Plecos don't deal well with salt and this fish is already way too stressed with that fungal infection. I'd almost like to suggest that she do a fast SW dip first... Meg - I want to change something I posted here..use Maroxy instead of Maracyn2. It won't damage (as in kill) your tanks bacteria and you can treat him in the current tank, just remember you need to take out the carbon first. You should be able to find it any any well stocked lfs. Please don't delay, that is a nasty infection he has there! __________________ Don't just treat the symptom, remedy the cause!

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10-09-2007, 08:36 PM	#2
meagheavz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: longisland NY Posts: 480 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (1)	anyone know wut it is pelase help

10-09-2007, 10:34 PM	#3
leoskee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 605 Reefer Ratings: (2) Friends: (0)	Thats a fungal infection. Did he get caught in a net? His fin is badly infected to the pioint that you see the bone (white tip). If possible, QT him and treat him with Maracyn 2 by Mardel. You should remove your carbon before treating the tank. I would avoid dosing the tank because Maracyn will kill your beneficial bacteria that helps filtration. If you have to, make sure to add carbon immediately after the treatment and use Cycle to help reseed your tanks bacterial colony. Don't forget to do several small water changes over a 2 week period. *Disclaimer: Im pretty sure about the advice I gave you but I havent used any of those products in over 15 years. Check your LFS to see if they have any newer meds. You can also search for fresh water forums. Good luck.

10-09-2007, 11:41 PM	#4
meagheavz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: longisland NY Posts: 480 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (1)	i have melafix and pimafix.. IDK he hides out i hav a cave that he goes in like all day he only comes out at night and i he was in a diffrent cave that u can see it and i put a flash light and i was like WTF...im hoping that works..

10-11-2007, 12:20 PM	#8
meagheavz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: longisland NY Posts: 480 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (1)	hes never been in a net since ive had him..

10-11-2007, 05:55 PM	#10
meagheavz Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: longisland NY Posts: 480 Reefer Ratings: (0) Friends: (1)	yes ive done something..ive used a few things id idnt get wut anyone said here though.. and went a show a fish docter who gave me things