Strange

[Roan Art]

well, we were both right and wrong... fin rot is caused by an gram negative bacteria, not a fungus.

but fungi are not bacterial...

BAH! I am NEVER WRONG! NEVER! Muahahahah!

Just kidding

I honestly don't know where I got that fungi were bacterial. It's FUNGUS, of course it's not bacterial. Brain fart!

BUT -- most fungi are a secondary indication of a bacterial infection and often show up when a fish is stressed out or the water quality bites.
Exception of columnaris, of course. So, if you see fungus, you've either got an extremely stressed or injured fish or your water quality is out to lunch.

mea maxima culpa,
Roan

 

[Roan Art]

Actually fin rot can be caused by either a fungus or a gram negative bacterium. If its fungul fin rot, its very easy to cure by using a simple malachite green based medication or raising the salinity of the water. The bacterial version is what I am dealing with which I think is environmental related and hopefully by fixing the cause, my fish will get a strong immune response against it and get better.

You can add meds, yah, but I've found that testing my water and doing a few 50% water changes over the course of a few days -- possibly adding some mela/pima fix -- will get rid for me. If THAT doesn't work, then I resort to meds.

I don't think I've had to use meds for fungus. Can't remember. I've only had it a couple of times and ich once.

Other than those two issues when I first started keeping tanks, I've not had any medical problems with my fishes or tanks. Just some nipped fins and stuff and rogue ghost shrimp, but those are different.

** Knock on wood **

Roan

 

[indiginess]

i'm still covered by my 'caused by'.... hehe

secondary infections abound.

i ran across a diagnosis page that recommends either/or.

http://www.fishforever.co.uk/fish-disease.html

there are combo fungicide/anitboitic products out there. melafix may be one of them. i've never used it.

i'd deal with the bacterial infection first. then treat for any remaining fungus. may cost you a fish or two short term, but you don't want this to be a nagging problem. watch out for spikes... your biobed could be compromised.

just reminders, cause it sounds like you've done some pretty good research.

 

[rrkss]

I am working on my BA in biology right now. The science part of fishkeeping, I know pretty well but fishkeeping is not only a scientific project but an art also. Therefore, I like to get information based on the experiences of all the other people who hold successful aquariums.

 

[indiginess]

ditto on all counts.... except the BA... decided to go for the BS, i think (hehe still makes me laugh).

nice to meet a fellow.

 

[rrkss]

I see I made a typo. I am getting Bachelor of Science (BS) not Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Biology.

 

[rrkss]

Anyways I did add the activated carbon to remove the last traces of the medication. My treatment regime for ich should be over since I had medications in the water for 6 days and salt + heat for 7 days probably giving me a complete killoff of the ich parasites. I also vaccuumed the gravel and did a 25% water change today. My only problem is that my cherry barbs still look horrible. I have 1 lying on the gravel listless and appears to be breathing very hard almost like he is gasping for oxygen. Another one still has clamped fins and the rest are just sitting listless. They still won't eat. The rest of my fish are healthy and strong.