Injured Platy

[Sevast0]

My friend had given me two dwarf sunset platies (yes the ones you get from Petsmart). The only thing she had to give them to me in was a small plastic bowl (which is what they are in in the pictures, and yes they have been moved to a hospital tank). One of them looks like it has a bite wound in its side by its tail, but I'm not sure exactly what it is. It's tail fin is clamped down, and it looks like it either has some fin rot or fungus growing. I took the pictures yesterday, and the fins look even worse today. I'm not sure what it is, how it got it, or what exactly to do. My friend's tank was a 10g tank and had nothing but dwarf platies in it. I don't know anything else about her fish tank (like the Ph or any other parameters), so that's not going to help much. I asked her to test her water, but she hasn't been able to yet. Also, the fish swims around happily, eats fine, and basically acts as if nothing is wrong. The other platy she gave me is perfectly fine and doesn't look sick at all. In the two pictures below is one from its left side (the side that is hurt) and the right side (where you can see the injury from the other side). Sorry the first picture is a little blurry. Any white spots you see in the picture is either bubles or floating debries in the water.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/riku24me/IMGP3968.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/riku24me/IMGP3967.jpg

[benzjamin13]

Looks like fungus. Just treat with some anti-fungus medications. Add some salt and bump up the temp should help as well.

[Lupin]

It isn't true fungal infection. Fungal infections are very rare to come by. This may be an onset of columnaris and possibly other diseases such as costia. I'd do daily water changes with this fish. If it doesn't improve after a few days, you could combine Maracyn and Maracyn 2. Usually clean water quality helps prevent bacterial infections from worsening. Poor water quality can cause finrot and bacterial infection issues.

[Sevast0]

Thanks, I'll see how it goes, and I'll pick up some medicine tomorrow just in case it gets worse.

[KarlTh]

Looks like classic columnaris to me, and absolutely nothing like fungus. Can someone sticky a my thread on the subject?

[mel_20_20]

I agree that it is columnaris, and you better jump on it fast with either Kanacyn, or the two Maracyns: Maracyn and Maracyn II.

Columnaris is caused by flexibacter, but it is often accompanied by another bacterium, Aeromonas, another gram-negative bacterium frequently found in one's tank, and often infects a Flexibacter-infected fish at the same time (secondary bacterial infection) and is thought to be the cause of death in many cases of Flexibacter infection. Therefore, treatment should also be aimed at this bacterium as well. Kanamycin (Kanacyn) will treat the coumnaris and also the Aeromonas.

If you use Maracyn then treat simultaneously with Maracyn II for the Aeromonas. Kanamycin is not considered to be harmful to the bio-filter except at high dosages, but I'm not certain about the Maracyns.

Here are pics of columnaris, and then a true fungal infection.

This is coumnaris
99167


This is fungus (pic provided by KarlTH in his thread)
99168

As stated before, absolutely pristine water is VITAL if the fish are to fight off this infection. Doing daily huge water changes in the hospital tank will not be a problem for the treatment protocol in your hospital tank.

Make sure the hospital has clean water as soon as you have meds and just before dosing the tank.

Dose the tank. Then next morning do huge water change and immediately dose the tank. The meds become unavailable after a few hours anyway so removing the water does not interfere with the treatment.

So, the next morning, twenty-four hours later, do big water change again and then again dose the tank.

Keep this up for the five days the Maracyns say should be carried out, but I would go an additional five days to make sure they are fully recovered.

I would also get Prime to condition the water as it detoxifies ammonia and nitrites, and this would help in case any traces of ammonia or nitrites start to appear. Nevertheless, every twentyfour hours do a big water change.

When I treated a fish for severe septicemia in my five gallon hospital tank I did 80% - 90% water changes every twentyfour hours. (he fully recovered) I used the two Maracyns and they were very effective.

Have some silk plants or a cave for them to hide in to feel safe while in hospital.

It will take hard work, but you can do it. We're all pulling for you and your sick fish. (The other fish that has no signs or symptoms should, in my opinon, go through the treatment with the fish that is obviously sick, since columnaris is very contagious)

[mel_20_20]

I forgot to mention: This is ectremely contagious so care should be taken to sterilize nets, siphon hoses, buckets, hands, anything you use while treating for this infection to avoid transmission to any other tanks you have.

[Sevast0]

Just a quick question, since it is extremely contagious, what are the early sign of it, just in case it does get spread to my main tank (though nets and such). I do make sure that i rinse everything i use for my aquariums every time I use it, but what are the early signs, so that I can watch and make sure they don't get anything. And is there anything I can do as a preventative just in case some bacteria did get into my main tank?

Also, I have kept the other platy with the sick one, just in case he has anything, and also as a quarantine period since I had just got him.

[mel_20_20]

Earliest signs would probably be behavioral. Not as active, maybe hiding or separating from the others. Possibly hanging out nearer the top where there's more 02.

Physically: Watch carefully for any area or areas of vague fuzziness, a flatness or dullness to the body.

An area of redness that may be very fine and hard to spot, at the edge/margin where fin and body meet.

Important note: Rinsing is not enough. Mix up bleach water to soak nets and siphon/hoses, cups, buckets. Then thoroughly rinse with tap to remove bleach. For nets I would do an after-soak in dechlorinated water.

Careful hand washing after contact with any possible contaminated water, surfaces, utensils, supplies, etc.

[Sevast0]

Thanks, I'll watch my main tank for anything. And also I'll rinse my stuff better. What I've been doing is rinsing it in really hot water, then rinsing it in cold water.

But is there anything I can or should add to my main tank now? Like to strengthen their immune systems, or prevent them from getting anything? Or should I just do some more water changes and watch them carefully?

[mel_20_20]

Based on an interesting study done by the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Auburn University, there is a possible preventative measure that we might want to consider employing, though the use of salt other than for the treatment of Ich is highly controversial.

This is from the article: "The Dreaded Flexibacter", written by "Dr. Barb", found on the Flippers "N" Fins website, under the link "emergency room"

"A recent study from the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures at Auburn University in Alabama showed that keeping some freshwater fish in water with salt of increasing concentrations can prevent Flexibacter infections, presumably by preventing adhesion of the Flexibacter to the fish’s body. When fish were exposed to Flexibacter, those kept at a 0.1% salinity (one teaspoon salt per gallon) had mortality rates reduced by one third, while those at a 0.3% salinity (one tablespoon salt per gallon), experienced no deaths. In the freshwater control group (salinity= 0.03%), there was virtually a 100% mortality (except goldfish, which had a 67% mortality). Whether the findings of this study hold true for aquarium fish is unknown, but it suggests that salt at concentrations that are commonly used in the hobby may help to prevent a Flexibacter infection.
(fonts in bold by me)

Now, having shown you this, I don't know if it is in your fishes best interest at present to try this because it is true that salt does add a little stress to the fish, but I believe that if you see others in the tank begin to show signs or symptoms then I, personally, would try it.

I don't believe I would go to the 3% extreme, but I believe the 1% (1tsp per gallon) is what I would do. Again, that is only if I began to see others with indications that the infection is becoming widespread.


Edit: remove sentence fragment

[mel_20_20]

I would certainly keep their water pristine. Keep the temperature on the cool side since the bacteria like warm water.

[Sevast0]

Thank you for all the help. I'll keep a close eye on them, and keep their water pristine. I'll also take good care of my two platies in the hospital tank. I'm hoping that everything goes well for my fish. I've dealt with a few other diseases, but this is the first time dealing with columnaris. I'll post an update tomorrow or in the next few days to let you guys know how everything is working out.

Again, thank you very much!

[mel_20_20]

You are most welcome. We're all pulling for you.

[Sevast0]

So, here's a little update for today. I bought the medicine that you suggested, and added it to the tank. His tail is starting to disappear more, but he still looks active and good. The other one is starting to show some white areas on his tail fin (I can't get any pictures of him, he doesn't stay still long enough). While the more injured one does swim actively from time to time, he also likes to rest on the bottom not moving around for a while. It's not like he doesn't move at all, his breathing is fine, and he isn't on his side, he's just like a normal resting fish. Is it fine for him to be resting so much? or is he getting worse? I already know his fins look worse, but is his over all condition getting worse since he is resting more than normal now? Or is he just resting more because he is sick and is recovering?

Here are some pictures, sorry about any blurriness.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/riku24me/IMGP3984.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/riku24me/IMGP3988.jpg

I hope they get better soon, I'm hopeful. I know the other one who isn't as bad will probably make it, but I'm not sure about this guy. I hope he makes it.

PS- I know I've been calling them "he" and I know they are both female, but it's kinda a habit calling my fish "he's". I've called all fish "he" even if they are female. lol.

[mel_20_20]

I think resting is probably a good way to view his behaviour. He doesn't feel well and we do the same thing when we're sick. Just keep up the big water changes to keep his water absolutely free of ammonia and nitrites, and dose the meds. Keep it up. I think at this point there's no reason why we can't be hopeful.

[Sevast0]

Well, last night a few hours after I posted my last update, he had this weird white stuff hanging from his gills.

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i265/riku24me/IMGP4018.jpg

I came on here to post about it again, but when I came to the site, it said it was moving, and I couldn't do anything. So I was hoping he'd be fine this morning, but when I woke up can came over to them, he was dead. I did the water changes, and I did get the medicine a little late, but I was still hoping he'd do fine. The only weird thing is that he wasn't floating, or on his side on the bottoms, he was sitting normal on the floor as if he was still alive, but i poked him with the net to make sure. And he was dead.

The good news is the other one is still alive, but I'm going to continue to treat him because the other one started to show some white on him yesterday. So I'm still hopeful that at least one of the two can live through this.

[Sevast0]

This morning, the other platy died as well. I guess maybe I was too late to save them. But at least I know I tried to help them.

[mel_20_20]

I'm so very sorry for your loss.:( I tried to post yesterday after the first one died, but due to the move my post wouldn't go through, and then the whole site was unavailable again and I couldn't even access this forum.

You did your best and you can take comfort in that. It is small comfort, I know, because it does hurt to lose our little creatures that we have in our care, but please know that it does mean a lot that you tried so hard.

The pics you posted, at the end, did show that she was in really bad shape, poor thing. :tombstone: Very advanced illness. You were up against a formidable foe. You fought a hard fight. Be watchful of your other tank to catch any early signs of problems there.

Use bleach to disinfect your hospital tank, filter, heater, buckets, hoses, decor, and nets before you put away your hospital equipment.

If you see any signs in the main tank I would just go ahead and treat that whole tank. Post for help as always.

Again, we are all so sorry for your loss. Keep your chin up.