Dershum
12-30-2003, 10:05 AM
I need some help identifying and dealing with whatever is killing the fish in my 55 gallon tank here at home.
About 3 weeks ago, I noticed that one of my bala sharks had a strange red spot at the base of his dorsal fin. Thinking that it was probably nitrite poisoning (I'd had that a year or two ago with a catfish with red gills, so I assumed it wsa the same), I did a big water change, but the fish died the next day. The fish was also exhibiting what I can only describe as "twitchyness". I kept watching him to make sure that it wasn't some form of fungus or itch (he wasn't flashing, just darting crazily back and forth in the tank). Unfortunately, he was dead the next morning.
Now, last week I noticed another of my bala sharks was having the same problem, so I did a very large water change (35 galons), and did some poking around on the web looking for what might be ailing my fish. I found a pretty good web site that had a step-by-step process to diagnose the fish, and the list of questions seemed right on. The results of the site told me that it was a Bacterial Infection - Pseudomonas Sp. or Aeromonas Sp. or C. columnaris, and told me to treat with Aminoglycoside in conjunction with either penicillin or Impenem. I took this information with me to several pet stores, but was unable to find any of the items listed. After much debate, I went with what was listed as a "wide spectrum" antibiotic in the hopes that it would do the trick, but unforrunately it didn't, and the fish died yesterday.
During all of this, I was keeping a close eye on ALL of the fish in my tank to make sure none of them were coming down with this, and they all seemed to be fine. But this morning, ANOTHER of my bala sharks seems to be "twitch" as well. No discernable red spot, but he's definitely acting strangely, zooming back and forth in the tank, and (for lack of a better word) spazzing around the tank. Also, I _think_ that he might have some slight discoloration on his body...it looks like he might have very slight white patching on his skin (not fuzzy or spots). He also seems to be having problems breathing, as he is gasping slightly, and every time he breathes, he seems to give a twich.
And during all of this, I can't find any other discernable ailments with the other fish in the tank. I have 2 additional bala sharks (babies), 3 checkered barbs, 1 cherry barb, 1 common pleco (who is still pretty small), and 1 dwarf chichlid.
Any help that I can get would be greatly appreciated.
About 3 weeks ago, I noticed that one of my bala sharks had a strange red spot at the base of his dorsal fin. Thinking that it was probably nitrite poisoning (I'd had that a year or two ago with a catfish with red gills, so I assumed it wsa the same), I did a big water change, but the fish died the next day. The fish was also exhibiting what I can only describe as "twitchyness". I kept watching him to make sure that it wasn't some form of fungus or itch (he wasn't flashing, just darting crazily back and forth in the tank). Unfortunately, he was dead the next morning.
Now, last week I noticed another of my bala sharks was having the same problem, so I did a very large water change (35 galons), and did some poking around on the web looking for what might be ailing my fish. I found a pretty good web site that had a step-by-step process to diagnose the fish, and the list of questions seemed right on. The results of the site told me that it was a Bacterial Infection - Pseudomonas Sp. or Aeromonas Sp. or C. columnaris, and told me to treat with Aminoglycoside in conjunction with either penicillin or Impenem. I took this information with me to several pet stores, but was unable to find any of the items listed. After much debate, I went with what was listed as a "wide spectrum" antibiotic in the hopes that it would do the trick, but unforrunately it didn't, and the fish died yesterday.
During all of this, I was keeping a close eye on ALL of the fish in my tank to make sure none of them were coming down with this, and they all seemed to be fine. But this morning, ANOTHER of my bala sharks seems to be "twitch" as well. No discernable red spot, but he's definitely acting strangely, zooming back and forth in the tank, and (for lack of a better word) spazzing around the tank. Also, I _think_ that he might have some slight discoloration on his body...it looks like he might have very slight white patching on his skin (not fuzzy or spots). He also seems to be having problems breathing, as he is gasping slightly, and every time he breathes, he seems to give a twich.
And during all of this, I can't find any other discernable ailments with the other fish in the tank. I have 2 additional bala sharks (babies), 3 checkered barbs, 1 cherry barb, 1 common pleco (who is still pretty small), and 1 dwarf chichlid.
Any help that I can get would be greatly appreciated.