Gill Disease??

No, do not do another round of tetracycline.
Tetracycline is primarily effective against 'gram-negative' bacteria.
Since you already did a round with tetracycline without success, I suggest you treat the entire tank for 'gram-positive' bacteria.
Maracyn is an example of a gram-positive anti-biotic. There are others.
Since the disease seems to have jumped around from fish to fish, I think you need to treat the entire tank rather than isolate and treat.
Also, if there may be gill parasites, copper-safe or had-a-snail is indicated.

The bacteria in a bottle I think is called Bio Spira or something like that. Check out Dr. Tim's library for more details.
http://www.marineland.com/drtims_articles.asp
good luck
:)
 
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Famman is suggesting you utilize a different antibiotic instead of a nother round of tetracycline. Antibiotics and bacteria are grouped as being gram-positive or gram-negative. A gram-negative anitbiotic won't kill the gram positive bacteria.
Many commercial preparations, called broad spectrum antibiotics, are a mix of both, and are more effective at dealing with a wide range of bacteria.

Have you had your test results confirmed by a third party? Test kits can go bad, so there may be a problem you're kit is not detecting.
 
Hyperplasia, in which the gill tissues swell and even fuse together, is a result of longterm irritation. Bacteria are hard to combat-- but I surmise that the initial problem is caused by either single-celled parasites or gill flukes.

Fluke Tabs are effective though toxic. Praziquentel is much better but expensive.

Parasitic protists can be combatted with formalin or with potassium permanganate.

I have tetras with permanently damaged gills too.
 
Thanks for the replys.

Yes, I did have the LFS test my water when this first happened, and my test kits are OK.

You know, the more I read about parasites and flukes (skin and gill included), the more I wonder if this is what it is.

Could it hurt to treat for this before I try another antibiotic? What should I use since it may be flukes?

Also, should I isolate the julii before I try anything, or leave it in the tank? Is there anything I can do in the meantime for it?????
 
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A New Bit of Information

The sick julli is still trying to hang on. It's in one corner of the tank, and seems to be breathing slowly. When you get close, it moves, but clumsily, and then settles back into the corner.

While inspecting it a little bit closer, I noticed that it's barbels are missing. Is this a sign of something, or just a sign that it's sick?

I am going to the LFS in a few minutes for Maracyn, since I tried the tetracycline already.

Also, I'd like to thank everyone for their input. I feel so helpless. It's also a sad thing to watch my other cories "laying on top or near this fish, kinda-sorta comforting it).
 
Barbel erosion is common, unfortunately, but not well identified. Some say they think it's the result of the cories digging in rough, sharp substrate, while others think it may indicate water quality issues. It can compromise the fishes ability to find food, but in a healthy tank the fish usually does fine.

There's another thread right now about flukes--excellent advice from wetman on treatment is included.
 
I Just dosed the tank with Maracyn...

and since I have a six gallon eclipse system, I cut the tab in half.

(I hope this is enough, because the directions say 1 tab per 10 gallons).

Anyway, the guy at the LFS told me to add some salt to the aquarium. I remember reading that salt was not particularly good for cories. My tank has never had any salt added to it.

I did buy the salt, but will not add any until I get some opinions. What say you????

I also took some of my water with me, and had it tested. It tested the same as my home testing. He did suggest that my temps were on the high side. They tend to run anywhere from 78 to 82 degrees.
 
Temperature is probably not an issue.Many fish can handle almost any reasonable temperature. It is the lack of dissolved oxygen in higher temperatures that cause us to keep our tanks in the mid-70's.
 
With the Cories, you can use the salt on a temporary basis at 1/2 the normal or recomended dosage. I would consider it, it may be useful.
I would use the entire pill for the 6 gallon rather than 1/2 pill.
Barbel erosion usually occurs because of poor water quality at the very bottom usually because of detris trapped within and between larger grained gravel. Cories prefer the smallest grained gravel possible and absolutely love to snuffle in sand.
I've never seen a posting that positively connects sharp edged substrate with barbel erosion, in fact, I've read several postings that concluded there is no connection.
good luck
:)
 
Thanks Famman

I do have rather large pebbles for a substrate (my 3 year olds pick).

I do try to vacuum every other week, but I do notice gunk between the pebbles.

I will add the other half of the Maracyn pill, and 1/2 tbs salt and see what happens.

I absolutely love my cories and will do anything to help them even if it means replacing the substrate.
 
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