Hey gang, so I've got a major problem with my large pearl eartheater (geophagus brasiliensis) he is currently about 9-10" I've had him for approx. 3 years. Please see attached photos.
As you can see, there is a major trauma to the mouth area, causing a piece to be hanging and decaying, also the entire side of his face appears swollen and has some unsettling "decay like" appearance...also the mouth itself is not functioning correctly...as in staying shut, opening, etc.
BACKGROUND:
I noticed the problem saturday, and chalked it up to "light bump on driftwood" (the injury wasn't severe, just could tell the lesion on the lip and the jaw not being as per norm), I changed the water, cleaned the filters, and scrubbed up the tank. Ammonia is at zero currently...a small nitrate reading....nitrites nilch. (I cannot comment on water quality prior to 'clean up' but generally it's in tow, I do water changes every 10-14 days of 30% ish) I was busy yesterday and didn't get time to check, but today at lunch...WOW. It's awful. He (obviously) hasn't eaten since this appeared, but he is large and (was) healthy...seems like he could tough it out, but man...this is terrible.
MY QUESTIONS:
1. WTF IS THIS.
2. There is a severum and fire mouth (both small 3-6") in the tank, is this contagious?
3. Is there anything to do to help him? I can't see this just 'healing up' over time?
4. How do I treat him or the other fish if this is some type of infection/parasite/etc.?
Thanks...not looking good for poppa bear...
Ryan.
As you can see, there is a major trauma to the mouth area, causing a piece to be hanging and decaying, also the entire side of his face appears swollen and has some unsettling "decay like" appearance...also the mouth itself is not functioning correctly...as in staying shut, opening, etc.
BACKGROUND:
I noticed the problem saturday, and chalked it up to "light bump on driftwood" (the injury wasn't severe, just could tell the lesion on the lip and the jaw not being as per norm), I changed the water, cleaned the filters, and scrubbed up the tank. Ammonia is at zero currently...a small nitrate reading....nitrites nilch. (I cannot comment on water quality prior to 'clean up' but generally it's in tow, I do water changes every 10-14 days of 30% ish) I was busy yesterday and didn't get time to check, but today at lunch...WOW. It's awful. He (obviously) hasn't eaten since this appeared, but he is large and (was) healthy...seems like he could tough it out, but man...this is terrible.
MY QUESTIONS:
1. WTF IS THIS.
2. There is a severum and fire mouth (both small 3-6") in the tank, is this contagious?
3. Is there anything to do to help him? I can't see this just 'healing up' over time?
4. How do I treat him or the other fish if this is some type of infection/parasite/etc.?
Thanks...not looking good for poppa bear...
Ryan.
