Parisites

[neo]

Hello,

I think i have parasites in my guppy, molly tank, and scaleless fish in the tank.
I need to know how to treat it?:confused:
Was looking in there today and noticed a male guppy that had long white strings from its Caudal fin. Also redspot where the strings are attached to the skin. There is also red streaks in the Caudal fin too.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Bonnie

[ScottoMacD]

Hi.

How big is the tank?
How many fish are in the tank?
How many are sick?
Have you actually seen any parasites?
Do you have a hospital tank?

The reason I ask is because you can use Kanacyn to treat all of the things you mentioned except the parasites.

For that you would need an anti-parasitic like Livebearer. That would work very well for the parasites. Or even formalin.

The rest sound like secondary infections from the the original problem. The Kanacyn will work...but... it will do a real number on your tank biology. In fact it will probably wipe it out. Hence the reason for a hospital tank.

When I get your response I will be better able to try and help you out. Maybe with something less harsh.

[neo]

How big is the tank? 55gal
How many fish are in the tank? 20+
How many are sick? One that i noticed
Have you actually seen any parasites? Just the strings that were hanging from his caudal fin. Im not sure what a parasite looks like.:(
Do you have a hospital tank? Yes i have a spare 10gal thats not in use.

We moved them from a 10gal recently to a 30gal. Didnt realize how many babies were in the tank. So we bought a 55gal and thats where they are at now.

He is also missing a side fin. He stays at the top of the water. His doral fin looks horrible too. Which im wondering if maybe he dont have finrot from the 10gal tank. But all the fish look great in the 30gal. But i have never seen the strings before. The side that isnt attached to the fin looks flat. Like someone smashed it.

I have alot of guppies and mollies just hanging around the top of the water.

Also if i remove him to a hospital tank. How am i going to keep the other fish from getting it. We have 4 clown loached that i really dont want to lose.:sad

Thanks for response and trying to help me solve this problem

Bonnie

[ScottoMacD]

Sounds like a fungal infection.

By your post that I read I am assuming that the tank is still quite new? This also explains the gasping fish as well.

Gasping fish usually is a result of water quailty. As is most fungal infections. Have you tested the water? I am assuming that the tank is still cycling by what you said about moving the fish from a 10 to a 30 to a 55 in a short period of time.

I would put the fungal fish into the hospital tank and treat it with either Kanacyn, maracyn or super sulfa. If you can't find those you can use Maroxy but I have found the first three better. Maroxy does a good job though. Because you have a loach make sure to read the instructions carefully regarding scaless fish If you find that you have to treat him.

As for the big tank. Get the water tested. Do a water change. 50% to be safe.

I'm willing to bet that you will have either ammonia, nitrites or nitrates at a very high level in the tank. This is causing the stress that is causing the gasping and fungal infection.

Keep in mind that in new cycling tanks water changes are a must to keep the water in good shape until the bacteria colonies have established. Another good trick during the cycling month is to cut down the feedings of the fish to every second day. Then only feed them sparingly. Only enough that they can eat in a couple of minutes. Roting food will only worsen the water quaily during this rough patch. Once the tank is fully cycled you can go back to regular daily feedings.

Keep an eye on the big tank. If you see any signs of fungus on any other fish place them in the hospital tank.

Keep me up to date.

Hope this helps you out.