Infection

[Radek Z]

I have added 8 red eye tetras to my tank and one of them developed nasty looking infection at the root of the tail (seems like transport injury). She seems to be doing fine othewise but I do not like to look of that infection. The problem is I have only one tank so taking care of that fish means adding something to the water with all the other fishes - Tatras, Mollies and Ottos.

I have couple of medications from JBL - one Furanol is very nasty - kills all the bacteria including the good ones and the second one Ektol fluid seems to be milder but then I am not really sure.

Some difficult choices - see if the fish makes it? Treat whole tank (nah nah)? Get minimum hospital tank (what is minimum) and treat there (will the fish make it till this is ready - couple of days.

Can anyone help?

[MrGoodbytes]

You could set up a hospital tank with a 10 gallon tank, a heater, a simple light fixture, a small air-powered filet and some hiding places.

Someone else can probably give you better advice on medication.

Graeme

[Leopardess]

Well, the first thing I would do would be to get a Hospital Tank. They are pretty necessary when you get new fish and will always be there for emergencies. Even a simple 5 gallon will do.

Other than that, i would definitely not let the infection go unchecked. Something needs to be done. You do not want that spreading. You can try treating with some added salt, warmer temp, and some Melafix or a Broad spectrum antiobiotic/fungal medicine. Since you have 8 new fish in there, they may also have some illnesses you don't see yet - which the medicines would help.

But I would stronly opt for a hospital/quarantine tank. That way, ever time you get new fish, they can go in the quarantine tank for three weeks to help prevent these situations.


Edit: I just noticed you have a planted tank, right? You don't want to be adding any medicines that will negatively affect your plants - it could end up costing more to replace them than a new q-tine tank would...

[Radek Z]

So I have setup the hospital, water same as in the tank, temp the same. But there is a catch - literaly - how do I catch that fish. My tetras are extremelly shy - sligh movement around the tank and they make for cover. Any tips?

[Leopardess]

Try lowering the water level..and coaxing them out with food. Or, leave the net in the next (hanging somehow, suction cups work) so that the fish get used to having the net in the tank. Or try getting a very wide net and using it to herd them into a smaller net. I've heard of getting a net as wide as the tank to push all the fish to one side.

[Drakerizzo]

Radek Z, sorry to hear anout your tetra, hope he makes it!!!

I agree with leopardess, from what I have seen and read aquarium salt and warmer water temp seems to be the best cure for most infections/deseases.

Good luck.

[Radek Z]

So I have fished the Tetra out while sleeping - easy. Will see if she makes any progress in few days in the hospital.