how do i cure my daughters sick fish?

Question

Please can someone help me. my daughter has a coldwater tank with 6 fish and 2 plecks. the fish have got sore looking red tails that seem to be disapearing. The plecks seem to be fine so i've seperated them. Can anyone help us please?
thank you

Answer 1

This sounds like Aeromonas which is especially common in coldwater fish (this is often labeled as septicemia; however Septicemia is a symptom of many infections, not an actual disease)

Water parameters are key, as Aeromonas is vastly more common in poor conditions (over stocking, over feeding and lack of good maintenance can lead to problems here).

*Ammonia/nitrites- 0
*pH- stable
*GH - 100+ for most coldwater fish (this is important for necessary electrolytes and even aids in Redox Potential)
*KH- 50+

As for treatment, I would start with a medicated bath using Methylene Blue and a small amount of tank water for 30 minutes (throw this away after use)

Then for in tank treatments, I recommend Nitrofurazone or better Nitrofurazone combined with Kanamycin. Sometimes Triple Sulfa and others can be effective as well.
However do NOT use Tetracycline for any fish with septicemia symptoms and the resulting anemia can hurt your fish further.

Please read this article about Aeromonas for more information: http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Vibrio_Aeromonas.html

Answer 2

That sounds like either fin rot or septecemia, a blood borne bacterial infection. It's possibly a combination of both and since they can both be caused by the same bacteria it's possible that's what you are seeing. Prompt treatment with a quality antibiotic is needed. Since this possibly includes an internal infection, I would suggest you use Furanase, Furan-2 or if you have a vet that is willing to assist in the treatment, Cypro is a good choice. If you can't find any of those, Maracyn TC would be the next best choice.

Also start feeding the fish antibiotic medicated food. That's also available at all larger or better pet stores. I would feed this food for at least 10 days and use it in addition to the antibiotic treatment in the water.

MM

Answer 3

In addition to the above, also make sure you aren't overstocking the tank - the number one reason people get problems, aside from overfeeding, is cramming too many fish. You haven't given any detail, so it's hard to tell, but if you, say, had 6 goldfish and 2 common pleco's, then you would need at least a 75 gallon tank to sustain them in good health. If you had a 20 gallon tank, you shold have just one goldfish, two max, and no common plecos.

Answer 4

ammonia poisoning, change water mom. You may be over stocked. If those are 6 goldfish they need about a 75 gallon tank to thrive. BTW pleco's do not go with goldfish, if that's what you have. Correct the water and living conditions and the fish should heal themselves.

Answer 5

Go to your local pet store and see if there are some drops available to treat the water. It may be a bacterial infection

Answer 6

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