Bala Shark with a sore nose

[Napoli]

Maybe someone can give me some advice on my bala shark. This morning I noticed that he was frequently gasping for air at the top of the tank. It seems like his 'nose' (or upper lip?) is swollen and reddish. labored breathing. Any ideas?
my other fish (tiger barbs, rainbow shark, two plecos, and another bala) all seem fine. water conditions are good (0 ammonia, pH=7.2, T=79) as of this morning.
Hoping he's still swimming by the time I get home from work!

Thanks
<NWN>

 

[Michael Roth]

Bala sharks, being skittish, will often run into the tank walls, decorations etc. when surprised. They get some good speed too...so they can really hurt themselves. They need a pretty big tank for their relative size...

 

[dethjam316]

what size tank do you have? when small, balas really require a 55g because of their speed and skittishness. when adults, they require a 125g! they also feel more secure in schools, but i wouldn't add any more if you don't have AT least a four foot tank.

 

[Napoli]

It's a 37G tank...I know that small for bala's (def should have researched BEFORE I bought them!), and I'm planning on getting a bigger one soon. For now, they seem pretty happy though. They haven't been skittish at all, and both seemed completely fine last night when I fed them. I'm not sure what could've changed in 7 hours!

After reading a little online I found something that seems possible: septicemia. What do you think? And if that's indeed the case, how do I treat it? is it contagious? should I move him to a Q tank, or treat the entire tank together?

Thanks again for any help!

 

[Michael Roth]

If it were me, I would add a little aquarium salt, and shut the tank light off for a couple of days. like 2 tablespoons mixed in 4 cups of warm water until it is dissolved. Then poured into the tank. It will help with the wound.....and some say with the skittishness too. The lack of light will make the fish feel more secure.

 

[Napoli]

?septicemia? byebye Bala

Just got home from work....the Bala shark didn't make it
everyone else looks fine.
I've thought about adding some salt, but I also read that plecos are sensitive to salt, so I don't know how much I can safely add.

I hope the other guy doesn't get sick too.

If this shark did die of septicemia, is there anything I could do to prevent it spreading to the others?