Gar Injuries, Diseases, & Treatment

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xander

Manjuari
MFK Member
Sep 6, 2007
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Singapore
Author(s): Xander (Alexander Eng)
Images by : Cheesetian
Edited, Arranged, and Referenced by Xander

*** All Information Copyright 2011 the authors and www.MonsterFishKeepers.com OR used with permission. All Images Copyright 2011 the correspondingly credited and used with permission.

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Ammonia Poisoning

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Description:
Curvature of the fish due to extremely poor water conditions. Severity of the curvature depends on the toxicity of the water conditions. Easily mistaken for broken backs.

Suggested treatment procedure:


  1. Keep up the aquarium water pristine (0 ammonia and nitrite readings, low nitrate readings), perhaps with 25%-50% wc daily and if necessary, reduce the amount of food intake they have until their backs straighten.
  2. Keep the temperature of the tank as low as possible.
  3. Add coral chips/aragonite sand to buffer the pH. Keep pH upwards of 7.0
Higher temperatures and lower pH causes ammonia and other toxins to be even more toxic.

it's also a good idea to ensure that you don't spook them out; keep the lights off/dim, reduce or eliminate sudden movements around the tank.

Other comments:
Potentially fatal to gars.

References:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=411021
 

xander

Manjuari
MFK Member
Sep 6, 2007
8,535
57
555
Singapore
Author(s): Xander (Alexander Eng), E_americanus (Solomon David)
Images by : Mystus Redtail, rey420
Edited, Arranged, and Referenced by Xander

*** All Information Copyright 2011 the authors and www.MonsterFishKeepers.com OR used with permission. All Images Copyright 2011 the correspondingly credited and used with permission.

No material (listed above) may be reproduced without permission.

Lymphocystis

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Description:
A common viral problem that can't be cured (no matter what some medications claim), but has to run its course and will go away on its own. Symptoms are "enlarged cell nodules may each reach 0.3 mm to greater than 2.0 mm in diameter" (Aquarticles.com).

Cause and prevention
Lymphocystis is a viral disease that is introduced into the tank from outside sources such as new fishes or feeders, and spread through broken skin or injured tissue. Lymphocystis can remain dormant for long periods of time, with fishes not displaying symptoms. However, stress from fluctuating water parameters, a new environment or poor water conditions can cause a fishes immune system to weaken, causing symptoms to be triggered.

To take precautions,

  1. Quarantine all fishes before introducing them to your tank
  2. Carefully handle all fishes to prevent/reduce injury to a fishes skin, fins or slime coat.
  3. Reduce stress amongst fishes (sources of stress - refer to the description above).
Suggested treatment procedure:
Provide clean water and bump up the water changes (temp increase to 28C/82F also helps). 1 tbsp salt per 20g can help a bit too, but isn't integral. It should clear up in under 4 weeks,if not sooner.

Other comments:
It can transfer to other fishes if they bit the gar or vice versa, but it's generally not lethal to the fish.

References:


Aquarticles.com

AquaticCommunity.com

GoldFishStuff.com

MonsterFishKeepers.com

 
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