White mark on lyre

[traco1]

I bow my head in shame. I purchased two lyre swords and was told they were treating with Melafix for fin and tail rot. One of the lyres had a white mark on the top of her head. Not having seen lyretail swords before, I thought it was just part of the coloring of that one fish. I continued treating with Melafix for 4 more days, = 7 days total. Yesterday while feeding, this mark had a flap of it moving when the fish swims. So now obviously, it is not just the coloring of this fish, it is a disease. They also have some fin fraying which with such long fins is par for the course when first purchasing (ammonia burns?).

These guys are in a 33 gallon with live plants, some cories and a yo yo loach. Take the one fish out and treat in hospital tank with? Treat the whole tank, again with? Or just continue good water practices and things should heal?

Live and learn.

Barb

[Melody]

I'm not sure about this flapping thing - can you get a picture?

Either way, its usually best to isolate if everyone else is fine.

[traco1]

Well, it's like when you get a sunburn and your skin peels? Okay, it is a fungus and got a good picture. The white mark itself is about roughly 1/8" on top of the head. I'll try to get a pic but they swim so fast, everyone I take, turns out blurry!

QT in a 5 gallon, bare bottom okay?

Off to try for a pic.

[traco1]

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b127/traco1/IMG_4209.jpg

this fungus has been there since I purchased the fish. I've got a few photos of the first day and that was there then. It has just started to look cottony the last couple of days.

[Melody]

Yup, that's fungus alright. Melafix won't do much for it though. RidIch+ is a good one. There's Pimafix for fungus, but with an advanced case like that it might not cut it. There's a possibility that a bacterial infection is behind it, but we have to start somewhere.

The 5G should be fine, extra clean. Good luck!

[traco1]

Just cleaning out the 5 gallon. Best to just treat the one or both? They both had fin/tail damage and still do. For meds, I've got Quick Cure, Maroxy, Furan 2, Formalin-3. Lower temps around 76? And daily water changes with dosing afterwards (that way don't have to worry about ammonia even if the bio dies with the meds.

[traco1]

Melody, the fish I will be getting from you will not be going into this 33 gallon. They are going into a confirmed clean tank, established filtration so no worries about disease. I keep each tank separate of everything, nets, cleaning, wash hands, etc... (didn't want you to think I was irresponsible).

[traco1]

They are pulled and are in the hospital tank, treating with maroxy.

[Melody]

Quarantine mine too - I have fish coming & going all the time. I quarantine, but there's always a chance - only takes a droplet of water or a spot missed on the Python. They could also be brewing something that I can't see yet. Shipping stress can also bring stuff on. Anything can happen.

I would have to be far more perfect than I am to label anyone as irresponsible when it comes to risking introductions. :wideeyed:

[traco1]

Quarantine mine too - I have fish coming & going all the time. I quarantine, but there's always a chance - only takes a droplet of water or a spot missed on the Python. They could also be brewing something that I can't see yet. Shipping stress can also bring stuff on. Anything can happen.

I would have to be far more perfect than I am to label anyone as irresponsible when it comes to risking introductions. :wideeyed:

Will do.

[traco1]

Today is Day 4 for treatment. The fungus is still there, not as high but still raised a bit. The Maroxy says to treat only up to 5 days. I don't think it is going to be gone today or tomorrow. Keep treating or ... ?

[Sarahs]

IMO continue to do day 5, on day 6 do a water change.. and go ahead with more treatment, but make sure you do a 25-50% water change.
Sarah

[traco1]

I was dosing every day, full dose, after a 50% water change. Wonder if that makes a difference with treatment?

[Sarahs]

it will take most of the previous medication out of the tank.. you could wait a day, and do another water change. and start medicating. I've never used that maroxy.... but i know you can use melafix repeatily... 7 days.. water change..... 7 days.. says on the label anyways.. I would assume t would be the same for any medication.
Sarah

[traco1]

Well, isn't it the way? My "healthier" lyre sword died last night. The one with the fungus is still living, the fungus is less and I have not treated for 2 days now, just clean water. There is still that piece of scale that is lifted. I was thinking maybe catching her and swabbing the area with iodine? I really don't know what else to do.

[Melody]

Defintly don't try to catch her or apply anything topical. The stress will probably send her into a relapse. If she seems fine otherwise, I'd just use salt & clean water, or you can try the RidIch+. Sorry to hear about your other Lyre. I hope they're not carrying something bacterial and the fungus is a secondary infection.

Check for babies in the tank of the one you lost - sometimes they'll give birth and then go to the big pond in the sky. That would be a nice find for you. :smile:

[traco1]

Thanks Melody. I asked about the iodine treatment as have seen it done on other fish but bigger fish. I'll just stick with the clean water and salt. The other one did not leave any little surprises for me. These two were fairly young. And it'll be a male who is the survivor, I'm betting.

[traco1]

I'm going to try the Rid-Ich for this lyre. She still has the white stuff on her head, tiny bit better but no great improvement with just clean water, salt (for 7 days) and for the last 2 weeks. I would have thought it should be cleared up by now with good maintenance practices?