My fish has both constipation and a bacterial infection. Don't know which to treat first, can you help?

Question

He's be constipated for some days and on the side where his scales are lifted he got a white cottony infection.
I cleaned him with a salt solution and the white stuff came off, but know he has a sore on his mouth that looks like a bruise.
How do I treat him without affecting his constipation?
Can i treat both at the same time?

It's a goldfish
He looks like he is tired but desn't look like he will die anytime soon.

Core problem is constipation and infection came from the raised scales on one side of his tummy.

Answer 1

Is your fish a goldfish? Are there other tankmates? Ideally you would isolate this fish from the others. But if this is not possible, you will have to treat it with the rest. (A small hospital tank is good because you can isolate the sick fish and it can recover better as there is less stress. Sometimes stress from other fish causes problems. But a tank such as this would need to have been set-up and running beforehand.)

First, make sure the tank is clean - zero ammonia, zero nitrite and low levels of nitrates. Make sure there is no waste or excess food lying about on the gravel.

Sounds like it may have a fungal infection. Salt solution would help this but water quality is key. There are some anti-fungal remedies on the market as well -- I would consult at an aquarium store if you decide to treat it. Sometimes if you just make sure the tank is clean, the water temperatures stay consistent and slightly elevated (about 78 degrees), and you add a little aquarium salt (don't use table salt) this is the best remedy.

Constipation can be treated at the same time -- try foods rich in fiber such as boiled de-skinned peas (if it's a goldfish). You can use live foods or frozen foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, etc.

Epsom salts (1/8 tsp per 5 gallons) instead of the aquarium salts may help with constipation.

If the cause of the fungus is just unclean water, then it's an easy fix. If it does have an underlying bacterial infection, then it may be harder to treat. Personally, I have not had good luck with the commercial medicines. The ones that treat topical ailments are the most effective. Remedies for bacterial and/or viral infections that are internal are difficult to treat. The fish needs to have the treatment internalized and these medicines that you put in the tank are external. You can get medicated food, but I have not seen it very often in stores.

Answer 2

the mouth sounds like mouth rot,the cotton wool stuff sounds like its fungal,and the bacerial infection is just adding to the problem,
Ive got tropical and marine fish and have never had all of those at once ,but my advice would be o get your fish to an aquatic shop and ask them,you don't say what kind of fish it is some are medication sensitive,like clown loach that cant take the full dose of any medication ,
if it was me i would treat with an antibacterial med first like inter pet 9bacterial treatment and then seven days later do a water change 30 percent and then treat with inter pet 6 which is a fungal medication,if your fish has mouth rot,depending on the type of fish,combined with the other problems,the out look does not look good

Answer 3

Best Constipation Cures

Answer 4

it sounds like your fish has fungus or something
Here is a site that shows all the diseases from goldfish and the treatments
http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/disease.html

And yes you should be able to treat both symptoms at the same time


Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 5

If I were you, I would start with the bacterial first

xoxo
Ashley

Answer 6

call a pet store that successfully raises fish - or check the internet - if you use an the balance of the water is very important.

Answer 7

yes you can treat them at the same time i recomend melfix i gave it to my betta for the last two days and she is already doin better