Help with needle fish!!!

[lazarus9]

Hellos to all the MFK peeps,

I have a freshwater Needle Fish (I think it is a Strongylura Marina) and it has some fuzzy/cottony stuff growing in his mouth.

I noticed this condition about a few days ago and quickly isolated Aguja (its name in Spanish - stands for needle) from the main tank. His lower beak/jaw has lost some of its skin. The quarantine tank is medicated it with ANTI-FUNGUS (Malachite Green, Acrifflavine Hydrochloride - recommended by LFS person) has a sponge filter and a small power filter with no carbon (as instructed by the medication).

Yet it has been more that 72 hours and the fuzzy/cottony seems to have accumulated more. I have already done a 25% water change after the first 48hrs. and will do another tomorrow. I am lost. Am I doing something wrong here? Was I given a wrong diagnosis and am giving Aguja the wrong meds?


Although I am not sure if it is considered a monster, Aguja is in my book one. Any help or advice would be much appreciated

-Lazarus 9

 

[guppy]

Needle fish are prone to mouth damage and often get mouth fungus at the wounds, the mouth fungus is actually a bacterial infection called Flavobactum columnaris, a gram negative bacillus that forms fuzzy growths. change the water again, 40-50% this time to bring dow the ammount of the Anti-Fungus med (which is excellent for treating true fungus such as cotton tuft and body fungus as well as water mould). then use an antibiotic that is geared towards gram negative bacteria. Sulfathiazole, tetracycline, or erythromycin will work. A brand name med that works for this is Maracyn and Maracyn 2, they contain a mix of antibiotics. Make sure you follow directions and treat in the hospital tank because the antibiotics will kill off the bacteria in a filter.
In the future you can add somm aquarium salt, at least 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons or up to 1 teaspoon per gallon, to you tank and it will minimize the chance of it recurring.
Don't blame the LFS guy, the diseases look a lot alike and are equally common. Even the common name for it leads you to believe it would respond to an antifungal.
Good luck

 

[lazarus9]

Crap!!! I fed the needle fish a guppy today and a part of his bottom beak (infected part) fell off! He is eating well and being his normal self.

Anyhow, thanks for the information. I will keep an eye on him. I did a 75%+ water change for now and am using some sea salt until I can medicate it with your suggestion tomorrow.

I can not use salt in my 55g tank becuase three elephant noses dwell in htere and I have been told and read that they are very sensitive to salt or any additives to the water.