Hi all. I wanted to get a couple of opininions on a possible parasitic injury in my tank.
First off, parameters:
30 gallon long housing 3 crayfish, 2 adult & 2 juvenile paradise fish, 3 white clouds, 3 leopard danios, 2 inca snails, 3 otos.
I use Mardel strips so bear with the "abouts"
ammonia slightly higher than 0, lower than .25
nitrates 40
nitrItes 0
total hardness about 400
alkalinity about 80
pH about 7
Last night I noted that the older paradise fish was resting at water level in the front corner. He and the other male have been displaying for a few days, so I thought he was sulking or hiding. I noted that he appeared to have a spike or spikes protruding from his anus, but I couldn't get a clear enought view to see what they were. My best comparison would be that a couple of spikes of a sticker burr were coming out. They seem to be either brown or red. When I looked again later they were not there. I also noted what appeared to be bright red patches laterally, about a quarter inch behind his pectoral fins, roughly where the roundness of his body ended and the length of his body and tail begins. These seem symetrical, as they were equally sized on each side, and I thought that they were simply some sort of additional coloration of his display as he has been very dark and vivid latey.
This morning the right side red spot is clearly an open wound. There is what I assume are intestines protruding. The spikes are again showing from his anus. The left side spot seems sunken in. There is no scale protrusion, no bloating, no excessive slime coat. He has been removed from the tank. I examined the other fish as closely as I could and see no similar symptoms there.
So, questions:
1) best guesses on what this fish has?
2) best guesses on whether it has "escaped" into the tank
3) how to treat/what to use
4) anything else I can add to help with a diagnosis?
I have had this fish for about 6 months and would hate to lose him, he is very impressive when he colors up. However, I would hate even more to lose my tank!
The most recent introductions into the tank have been the otos, about 3 months ago and the smaller inca snail about 5 weeks ago.
First off, parameters:
30 gallon long housing 3 crayfish, 2 adult & 2 juvenile paradise fish, 3 white clouds, 3 leopard danios, 2 inca snails, 3 otos.
I use Mardel strips so bear with the "abouts"
ammonia slightly higher than 0, lower than .25
nitrates 40
nitrItes 0
total hardness about 400
alkalinity about 80
pH about 7
Last night I noted that the older paradise fish was resting at water level in the front corner. He and the other male have been displaying for a few days, so I thought he was sulking or hiding. I noted that he appeared to have a spike or spikes protruding from his anus, but I couldn't get a clear enought view to see what they were. My best comparison would be that a couple of spikes of a sticker burr were coming out. They seem to be either brown or red. When I looked again later they were not there. I also noted what appeared to be bright red patches laterally, about a quarter inch behind his pectoral fins, roughly where the roundness of his body ended and the length of his body and tail begins. These seem symetrical, as they were equally sized on each side, and I thought that they were simply some sort of additional coloration of his display as he has been very dark and vivid latey.
This morning the right side red spot is clearly an open wound. There is what I assume are intestines protruding. The spikes are again showing from his anus. The left side spot seems sunken in. There is no scale protrusion, no bloating, no excessive slime coat. He has been removed from the tank. I examined the other fish as closely as I could and see no similar symptoms there.
So, questions:
1) best guesses on what this fish has?
2) best guesses on whether it has "escaped" into the tank
3) how to treat/what to use
4) anything else I can add to help with a diagnosis?
I have had this fish for about 6 months and would hate to lose him, he is very impressive when he colors up. However, I would hate even more to lose my tank!
The most recent introductions into the tank have been the otos, about 3 months ago and the smaller inca snail about 5 weeks ago.
