New Lungfish Issues

[Rein2125]

Hey guys, first time poster here. I just received a new Lungfish a week ago from someone who did not want it anymore. He is 12inches long and is almost solid black. I am not sure what species he is. Unfortunately, I have very little knowledge of this fish and have been doing my best to read up on him. Might be a little too late :( The problem I am having, he is developing a white fuzzy fungus from his head, eyes, and halfway down his body. He was ok for the first few days and then started developing white spots that later turned into what it is now. The temperature of the water when I first put him in there was 75 degrees but I have now raised it and is sitting at 82degrees. I have not tried a water change, which I will be doing today. I will also post a few pictures up to clearly show what his issues are. Any ideas would be helpful. I am new to this Lungfish species and feel horrible to see the poor thing in the state that he's in.

[Rein2125]

The tank he is in is about 90+gal. There are also 6 Danios in the tank with him.

[KenyanSandBoa]

First off, welcome to MFK. It's always good to see another lungfish owner.

One problem that may arise is that lungs usually don't do well in tall tanks, like a 90. They have a hard time getting to the surface for air, especially when they are sick. You may be better off with a smaller enclosure, like a rubbermaid bin where you can maximize the surface area and minimize the height of the water column.

As far as treatment...water changes are the way to go. I would add aquaruim salt to the tank as well. Make sure it is aquarium salt, not synthetic sea salts used for marine tanks. Lungfish are pretty tough critters...frequent water changes and the use of salt is probably the best way to go.

[beblondie]

sounds like a nasty fungus infection there are numerous medications at your lfs to treat it.Go tell them you have a fungal infection and ask what they recomend-Anne

[GriF]

lungfish don't go well on medication...I had a similar problems and used salt.
this helped quite well...so lower the waterlevel bump up temp and use salt do a 50% waterchange every day...And he will pro..be healthy in a week or so..

[Rein2125]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. Well, I woke up this morning to find him at the bottom of the tank. He was in the same position and did not move for 4 hours. I took a net to see if he would move from contact, but he did not. I feel bad for the little guy. I would imagine if he was alive, he would have squirmed from the touch of the net? I tried everything as a newcomer to this species to help him out, but it looks like he is dead :(

[KenyanSandBoa]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated. Well, I woke up this morning to find him at the bottom of the tank. He was in the same position and did not move for 4 hours. I took a net to see if he would move from contact, but he did not. I feel bad for the little guy. I would imagine if he was alive, he would have squirmed from the touch of the net? I tried everything as a newcomer to this species to help him out, but it looks like he is dead :(

Oh, no way...that's no good. I'm so sorry to hear that.

Try lifting him out of the water and look for any movement. If you don't see any movement then, then I would say he's dead.