Black gills & fluid sacs on eyes of Flag Tail

[CyrenaJo]

I have a Flag Tail that has developed fluid sacs on both eyes and black stuff on his gills. I can't tell if it is IN his gills or just on the outside of the gill slits. It also looks like the top of his head may be turning black. I've also noticed the last couple weeks his behavior is decidedly more erratic. At first I thought it was because we just changed tanks but now with these 2 other symptoms I don't think so.

I've attached some pictures but can't get him holding still, hopefully you can see enough detail.

A little background:
2 weeks ago I rehoused him to a 125 long with a young saddled bichir. (the bichir is showing no signs of problems) I made sure to completely cycle the tank before I put them in the new tank. I have a few live plants, plastic plants, rocks, gravel substrate. Filters: AquaTop CF500-UV and a Marineland Pelican 350B hob.I do weekly 30% water changes. Current levels: SLIGHTLY elevated ammonia (not even to the .25ppm mark), 0 nitrite, 20 nitrate. The elevated ammonia may be because I have some shrimp left over from the bichir feeding last night, it is normally 0 as well.

Any suggestions what this is, how to treat it, and the cause so I can prevent it in the future. I'm still fairly new to fish keeping and this is my first sickness other than a minor ick outbreak.

Thanks! I really don't want to lose these fish.

 

[CyrenaJo]

hmmm...not getting any help on this one, I must haveeveryone stumped. How about a more general question.

I've decided to try an antibiotic because some of the sites I've been on suggest that may help if the eye thing is Pop Eye.

My question is, should I treat the entire 120 gal tank or move him to a hospital tank? If I do this will I also then need to sterilize my 120 gal and start the cycle over again?

 

[Charney]

looks like swelling of the tissues around/behind the eye. What antibiotics are you trying?

 

[CyrenaJo]

Erythromycin, it was all I could get today, is have to order if I need something else.

Also, kinda funny, and pretty embarrassing...the black on the gills is normal coloring! LOL! 4 adults in my house and not one of us remembered that little detail!

 

[Charney]

lol. how is he doing? Will check my three for the black coloration

 

[CyrenaJo]

He's doing MUCH better, thanks! This is probably my favorite fish, I had to do some serious bargaining with my husband to get him, I really don't want to lose him! lol!
I can still see a little swelling on one eye, the other is completely normal now. His eratic behavior is gone for the most part, I think what's left of that is probably due to the smaller tank. I think I will do one more round of antibiotics just to make sure. I did move him to the 30 gallon tank tho so I'm trying to weigh out if the benefits of the antibiotics vs the stress of the small tank. He hasn't been running into the sides or anything so I may just watch him close and try another round.