fungus, bacteria, or just an injury

Stripe

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Apr 29, 2004
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Hello,

I have tried to identify what could possibly be wrong with one of my tinfoil barbs. I am unclear if it is a fungus, bacteria, or just an injury. The affected barb eats and swims normally, despite the two spots on its side that show the symptoms. I have been treating the tank Maracyn-Two for a few days and no signs of any improvement. It took a while but I finally was able to get a picture of it.

thanks,
D.J.

barb_6457.jpg
 
If it were only the tail, I wouldn't necessarily worry about it. Would wait and see. From the picture, I see some purple ares and spots on the body of the fish. This would be my concern. I think maybe you were too quick in trying to cure the fish if you don't really know what the problem is. I rather use less than more.

I am a big proponent of using salt to treat fish. Some fish don't take too well to salt, but works most of the time. Don't know what other fish you have in there. If you have a spare tank, move the fish out. If not, if your fish can take the temperature, I would raise it slowly to 84-85F and start treating with salt-sea salt or epson salt. I would would try going up to 1tbs per 10g. Dillute the salt in a container with tank water. Add slowly some to the tank. Wait few hours and add some more. Continue until you finish the mixture. Don't change water for a week and after that do 50% w/c.

BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING. When you started using your med, did you have any charcoal in your filter - you should have remove it before. Now to get rid of the meds, use charcoal and w/c of 50% every day for a couple of days. If you decide to use salt, now is the time to start using it.

One more thing to consider before you do anything and for the future. How big is your tank and what fish you have in there and filtration and how often do you change your water and how much?

I would answer my last question first and go from there.
 
The spots are some water spots on the tank glass. Here is a better picture of the injury, there is also a similar area on the opposite side.

The tank size is a 30 gallon with two Emporer 280's. The carbon was removed prior to adding the Maracyn-Two. I put the carbon back in today and did a 40% water change. One thing I did notice was one of the clamps for the air pump tubing was fairly sharp, so I removed that. In a few weeks the fish are being relocated into a 55 gallon tank. Then next summer probably a larger size.
Also in the tank are 3 other tinfoil barbs, a fancy goldfish, a catfish, and an algae eater.

barbclose_6463.jpg
 
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