Firemouth sick

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invokethegoddess

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 7, 2007
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Canada
Our big momma firemouth has been acting strange (sick) for about 4 or 5 days now.
Our water parameters are good. The other fish are fine. (7 firemouth, 3 moori, 3 fronts, 3 electric yellow, 3 powderblue cichlids) in a 120 gallon. She has been rapid gilling, her fins look dull (no pieces fallin off, no coating that is visible). She is not eating, just floating around. Her eyes look red(hemorraging?)The other fish are starting to pick on her a little bit. I have been treating with melafix and salt for 3 days now and there doesn't seem to be much change yet. Am I doing everything that I can? should I just cross my fingers and wait??
any suggestions would be welcome
 
We have a bubble hose and the bubbles from a hydrosponge filter, but thanks for the thought!
still perplexed as to what is wrong.
Should I use Pimafix or Melafix or both?? and If I should use both do I use the recommended dose for each??
Any advice?? anyone??
 
invokethegoddess;884192; said:
Our big momma firemouth has been acting strange (sick) for about 4 or 5 days now.
Our water parameters are good. The other fish are fine. (7 firemouth, 3 moori, 3 fronts, 3 electric yellow, 3 powderblue cichlids) in a 120 gallon. She has been rapid gilling, her fins look dull (no pieces fallin off, no coating that is visible). She is not eating, just floating around. Her eyes look red(hemorraging?)The other fish are starting to pick on her a little bit. I have been treating with melafix and salt for 3 days now and there doesn't seem to be much change yet. Am I doing everything that I can? should I just cross my fingers and wait??
any suggestions would be welcome
Click to expand...

Are the eyes bulged out? I would definitely add an airstone. If it is popeye that can be tough to treat. Let us know.
 
Her eyes definately aren't bulging but I think they changed color.
Thanks for the thought!
 
there must be something I'm missing. Her fins are looking a little ragged, but I saw a couple of our electric yellow babies nipping at her the other day. There was a spot about the size of a dime on her tail that looked a little "milky" compared to the rest. It has now disappeared since I started with Melafix. Maybe fin/tail rot?? I'm not sure.
 
any fuzzy growth or are the fins dissolving how old is the fish any pics
 
There is no fuzzy growth. The fins MAY be disolving but NOT at a rate that is very noticable. The ends just look a little bit worn and frayed. A little milky towards the ends. There are no pieces missing. I have seen a couple of the other fish "flashing" today.
 
There is a bacterial infection. Not surprising by the bio-load in a 120g. If my math is right that is 19 cichlids.

First step is a 50% water change 3 days in a row. This will help diminish bacterial counts in the water column.

My guess is stress induced septicemia. Hemorrhaging or red spots is a sign but not always present. The fact that the fins are deteriorating points directly at bacterial infection.

Stop with the Mela/Pima doses and do the water changes.
Isolate the injured FM for 2 weeks in a 10g container and dose with Marycin I and Marycin II. Double the dose. If it says 1 tablet per 10g then use 2. Change the water at the end of the week. Sooner if water quality degrades.

The fish should be healed within 2-3 weeks. Follow directions on packages for duration of treatment.

As far as your tank goes increase water change frequency and size to prevent accumulative bacterial counts in the water column. Add Activated carbon if you are not already using some. An iron based phosphate resin in a filter will also remove many dissolved organic compounds from the system between water changes.

LMK, how this works out.
 
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