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Post by jeremyh81 on Dec 10, 2009 6:33:28 GMT -6
I've lost one of my first fish due to unknown causes last night. Here's the story: One danio had been hovering at the surface in one spot for a couple days. Its pectoral fins were red at the base, so I treated the tank with API's Stress Coat, using the recommended dose for injured fish (10mL/10 gallons), and also dosed half the normal of QuickCure for any fungal infections over a period of 48 hours. I got home around 6:30pm last night for a quick change of clothes before heading to a friend's house to work on his PC. All of the fish looked ok, so I fed them and went on my way. When I got home around 9:30, I found this guy at the bottom of the tank, lifeless:  I immediately tested the water conditions and found this: Ammonia = 0ppm Nitrites = 0ppm Nitrates = 10-20ppm pH = 6.0 - 6.2 (kinda low, in my opinion) I immediately did a 20% water change, thinking the pH was too low, but the other fish (even the sensitive otocinclae) were fine. Even the Corydoras and Plecos are looking good. The low pH is due to some driftwood that I didn't presoak long enough before putting it in the tank (about 48 hours in hot, dechlorinated water). More pics are here: s648.photobucket.com/albums/uu201/jhenson81/Aquariums/26%20gallon%20bowfront/RIP%20danio/Does anyone have any thoughts as to what those little "bubbles" are under the skin? I'll be watching the pH over the next week after placing the carbon container back into the HOT Magnum, while leaving the Penguin 200 biowheel alone. Also, how long should I keep the carbon in the filtration system to ensure that all of the tannins are out of the wood? |
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Post by jon carman on Dec 10, 2009 8:19:05 GMT -6
Did you notice anything while it was alive before you left such as swimming funny, or sitting on the bottom. If you need to up your ph a little add a teaspoon of baking soda.
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angel
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Post by angel on Dec 10, 2009 8:30:20 GMT -6
The only thing I'd heard of danios getting with a tumor is tb. But they also get a bent spine and yours doesn't have that. There's a possibility of a parasite apparently. But I'd think if that were the case your others would have it too by now. Septicemia is something danios get sometimes, and it causes red streaks on fins, but nothing is listed about a lump with that. Was the lump raised?
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Post by jeremyh81 on Dec 10, 2009 9:10:24 GMT -6
The only thing strange is that he would just stay in one spot at the top of the water, behind the flow of the filters. My tap water's pH is 7.4 - 7.6, so maybe a couple water changes would slowly raise the pH (20% for this tank is 4 gallons). But if baking soda would be safer, I'm open to that.
The lump was raised with a smaller one below it, and there were more lumps in its underside. Also there was a prominent swelling just below both gills. Most of the others looked ok this morning while the tank light was off. I'll take another look when I get home and the tank light is on. They're all as active as usual, though.
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angel
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Post by angel on Dec 10, 2009 9:31:15 GMT -6
Looking at some things. Based on the symptoms, here are two:
Red fins and ulcerations could be
Red Pest
Symptoms: Bloody streaks on fins or body.
Red Pest is called such because of bloody streaks that appear on the body, fins and/or tail. These streaks could proceed to ulcerations and possibly lead to fin and tail rot with, in severe cases, the tail and/or fins falling off. As the disease is internal, external treatments are usually not effective, except in very slight cases
Ulcerations could be
Ichthyosporidium
Symptoms: Sluggishness, loss of balance, hollow belly, external cysts and sores.
Ichthyosporidium is a fungus, but it manifests itself internally. It primarily attacks the liver and kidneys, but it spreads everywhere else. The symptoms vary. The fish may become sluggish, lose balance, show hollow bellies, and eventually show external cysts or sores. By then it is usually too late for the fish.
Do either of those sound like what you've seen on your fish?
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angel
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Post by angel on Dec 10, 2009 9:45:52 GMT -6
There aren't any pictures with the post I just read, but the description was similar. Lumps, struggling to breathe(the top of the water thing could indicate that) the fish could possibly have been an eggbound female. Small lumps could be eggs, large lump could be intestines pushing against her side as was the case described. That fish lived--at least for a while. Yours didn't. But the red streaks on the fins make me think that probably is not it. Just can't really rule it out.
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Post by jeremyh81 on Dec 10, 2009 10:00:35 GMT -6
I have seen one w/ a sunken belly, not sure if it was this one. I have noticed redness in others' fins. Going to research treatments for Red Pest. Thanks Tina!
We should move this to the "Disease" section.
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angel
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Post by angel on Dec 10, 2009 10:48:14 GMT -6
ok. good idea. i'll move it now
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Post by jeremyh81 on Dec 10, 2009 18:37:37 GMT -6
So I checked the rest of the danios and other fish that weren't hiding. All but one are showing signs of stress. The one is barely swimming, not rubbing on anything... I'm watching the tank as I write this. The largest danio seems to either want to play or is trying to nip the fins of the others. Not quite sure what to think of it.
Since the 10g has the Betta and a pleco in it, I don't have anything for a hospital tank. Funds are also too low to buy another 10g tonight. I dosed the 26 w/ more Quick Cure (malachite green) - the last dose was Tuesday. Hopefully, everyone will be ok.
I did read about using a tank disinfectant that was safe for fish when treating for Red Pest (and maybe Ich). Does anyone have experience with such a product?
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Post by plecoman on Dec 10, 2009 18:41:04 GMT -6
Hey Jeremy. Sorry to hear about the problems with your fish! I have three 10 gallon tanks that aren't in use right now. I'd be happy to let you borrow one, if you want to come to Columbia and pick it up.
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Post by oneyoda on Dec 11, 2009 16:30:51 GMT -6
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Post by jeremyh81 on Dec 11, 2009 19:52:01 GMT -6
Thanks for the offer, plecoman, and the link, oneyoda. And everyone else who helped out!
All seems well in the tank now. The community is very active and eating well!
I'll read more about Red Pest to see if the parasites could have spread and keep watching for any signs.
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