Grey patches

[SpecialKay]

If you're talking about slime coat syndrome, there should be visible peeling on the white areas.

Can you post a video of his breathing? A bichir will be trying to gulp air at the surface if they really need to breathe.

 

[Hakuneedshelp]

Can't get a video tonight as I have to work. I don't think there is visible peeling of the white areas. I've seen a video of another bichir breathing hard after eating, it's just like mine. I haven't seen him go to the surface whilst breathing hard, likely stress?

 

[SpecialKay]

It's possible to be stress, just keep an eye on him. Keep doing water changes, keep the pleco away, and keep us posted on his condition.

 

[Hakuneedshelp]

He's worse today so I've moved him into a tank by himself. One of his fins looks blood streaked, he hasn't eaten and hardly swims. I've been changing the water and adding stress cost. We don't have access here to the antibiotics in the UK that are available elsewhere, what

 

[Hakuneedshelp]

Meant to write what can I do?

 

[Hakuneedshelp]

He just rolled over, it's not just 1 fin it's 2 and his back

 

[SpecialKay]

That seems to be columnaris, which can be treated with furan-2 and kanaplex.

What is the temperature of the water? Columnaris spreads quicker with higher heat.

 

[Hakuneedshelp]

It's 28c same as his proper tank. We can't get that in the UK, I have interpet fungus and fin rot (phenoxyethanol)

 

[SpecialKay]

Can you get Trimethoprim? If you cannot get that, then add aquarium salt.

Also, gradually lower the temperature to 24c. The bacteria speeds up at higher heat.

 

[Hakuneedshelp]

We can't get that either, how much salt? He's just floating with his nose out of the water, he's dying. I've turned the heater down very slightly and will continue to do so