RTC and TSN Information

**necrocanis** · 09-06-2007, 5:13 PM

Originally Posted by mcox3;1112137;

Thanks for clearing that up. I'll try and snag a picture of it and see if we can diagnose the problem.

np, let's see what we can do. How old and big is the fish?

**mcox3** · 09-06-2007, 5:16 PM

I'm unsure of his age... but he's no bigger than 3.5". I got him 2 weeks ago or so.

**necrocanis** · 09-06-2007, 5:22 PM

definitely do good waterchanges, but be carefull of temp changes at that size they can't handle any difference in water temps. Keep the temps up, and medicate with melafix, and stress coat, do half dose on stress coat as it can coat the gills but the aloe is an anti-inflamitory for the covering of the gills. Put him on a strict diet of bloodworms, and make sure you bring the food to him if he doesn't seek it out. I use an eye dropper for one that size. Just thaw the blood worms suck them up in the dropper put it in front of the fish and squezz it out. He'll more than likely eat. They usually won't hunt for food if sick at that size. Hope this works. Hope you got a pond or tank in the works. I know a lot of people flame, but seriously they get large in a hurry. I've heard of 30" in two years, and mine is over 16" in less than 6 months.

**jconley** · 09-06-2007, 5:25 PM

I have a question for you necro, we have a 2" RTC at work who, at feeding, spins in tight circles as I have seen other fish do with neurological (head trauma, from being dropped usually) or poisoning problems. He ONLY does it during feeding. He doesn't seem to be doing the normal feeding frenzy dance. Any thoughts? All the other fish in the tank (plecos) are fine and he came in this way. Inbreeding perhaps, in some farm in Asia?lol

**mcox3** · 09-06-2007, 5:39 PM

I've been feeding him bloodworms... its all he seems to take in, but takes it in very well. I havent seen him eat any of the pellets or brineshrimp.

I'm working on putting together a 600g for him and I've also got some other materials to put together a 7'x7' footprint for him... problem is trying to find where to put it... but i've got a little bit of time.

Temp, I believe is kept at 79/80...

**mcox3** · 09-07-2007, 12:11 AM

Okay... these pictures arent the best... but its the best I could do.

Hope the video helps.

**TLkmDN** · 09-07-2007, 8:22 PM

mcox3, that looks like the early stages of gill curl ORRRR it cud just be loose skin from a bang. to take precaution, add rock salt to the water and raise the temperature to wateva ure local fish shop guy tells you. also, ask him for gill curl medication. it doesnt look too serious yet though. good luck.

**necrocanis** · 09-07-2007, 10:01 PM

wow that's a really low spot for gill curl. There are actually bones that lie there. I am thinking he might have snagged them on something causing it to hang low like that. Could have even broke them. Gill curl is normally associated with the skin behind the gills which has no bone. As you trace it lower under the gills there is bone that is the support for that skin and muscle attachments to it provide the movement. Keep an eye on that. Could still be gill curl but hardly ever, if never affects bone. Keep temps and aeriation high. How long has it been like this?

**mcox3** · 09-07-2007, 10:08 PM

Its been like this since I brought him home around 3 weeks ago. I went back to the LFS and I'm pretty sure I saw a few others with the same thing, but not all of them.

I went ahead and added a powerhead aimed at the surface and sponge filter I had sitting around. I'd say this is the most aireated tank i've got.

Did the video help at all?

**necrocanis** · 09-07-2007, 10:16 PM

nvm that is definitely advanced gill curl. Didn't see the video before. Yeah the gill is curled. Not much you can do but keep the water clean medicate, and hope it goes away as it might never.