Sick Balashark

[Botiadancer]

Hello,

My friend has a 60g tank that has been up for 5 weeks. It contains 10 tiny tiger barbs and 4 small (2.5") Balasharks. The Barbs are the original fish.

No, I don't have any particulars concerning ammonia etc. (I didn't bring my test kits and I don't have my books with me)

The Tiger barbs are fine.

2 of the Balasharks are fine.

1 of the Balas looks a little listless - the dorsal fin is starting to take on a red tint in the white area.

1 of the Balas looks like he is waiting for the last rites. His dorsal fin is very red in the white area.

What is it? I just did a 70% water change with Amquel. Is it some internal parasite that is causing it to hemerage (sp?) on the inside?

Recommended treatment? If any? I presume the Bala who can swim but mostly just listlessly drifts around the tank is a goner. Can I save the other one? The other fish?

She added two Pictus cats today, but the balas were sick when we arrived home.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Botiadancer]

Added note:

The very sick bala appears to have a tiny white growth on its nose, as well as not being able to close it's mouth.

I did a quick internet check and came up with fin or body rot. Don't actually see any rotting of the fins, but it's the only thing I have found that mentions blood streaks in the fin rays. It suggests treatment with Acriflavine or Furan. Does this sound correct?

How contagious is fin rot, or whatever it might be? Should I euthanize one or both Balas? Then treat the tank?

Thank you for your time.

******Just found this on Badman's site. This sounds more like it. Do other's concur?

Hemmorahagic Septicemia

Symptoms
Blood-Red streaks on the fins close to the body, without any signs of skin damage.
Treatment
Any of the antibiotic treatments, like Tetracycline. Available by many brand names.

 

[Blinky]

Sounds horrid, poor fishies and poor you!
I'd say if you've found a description of something that matches what you see, try the recommended treatment.
IME, most antibiotics need to be administered for longer than package directions indicate; if the package says you can redose after the initial round of medication I would do it, three to five days isn't always enough time to knock out a serious infection.
Can I recommend a 10g hospital tank if you have the means? Many antibiotics will kill or damage your bio filter, and the resulting re-cycling after the medication will really stress the fish, possibly making them sick again. It will also cost significantly less to treat.
IF it's a bacterial infection, it's likely contagious to any other stressed fish in the tank.
Best of luck.