Today I began a treatment for an unknown bacterial infection that my rays have. It is not uncommon, but may be deadly. The symptoms are as follows:
Ray 1 (11" Flower Female ~ 2 year plus captive):
>>> inflammation of the fin edge, white with redness at the corners of each back fin. Normally the fins are "body color", this symptom is what frightens me the most, there is mention of this another thread
Ray 2 (8" Flower Female ~ 10 mo captive):
>>> erosion of the disc edge, very thin, white and damaged, slight not major
Ray 3 (7" Flower Male ~ 10 mo captive):
>>> erosion of the disc edge, very noticeable. basically the disc edge is not body color but white and seemingly paper thin and jagged
Ray 4 (8" MM Female ~ Captive bred, about 1.25 years old):
>>> very slight inflammation of the fin tips, no disc erosion
Tigrinus Cat (14-15" ~ 3 year captive):
>>> not presenting any symptoms
Refer to this thread as well, I believe it to be the same bacterium:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207827
They are NOT flicking as was described by other keepers with similar symptoms otherwise.
Medication:
Nitrofurazone (available from Jehmco in NJ or as Binox by Jungle Labs):
1 tsp per 100 gallons daily for 10 days with daily 1/3 volume water changes prior to treatments
Temp @ 82F. I am NOT raising temp to 90F as suggested by some. I feel that it will only unduly stress the rays and catfish by lowering the dissolved oxygen level. Furthermore it will increase the reproductive rate of the pathogenic bacteria prior to the Nitrofurazones' action. Nitrofurazone takes 5-10 days to work. In that time I do not think that it is wise to increase the amount of bacteria in the system and within the rays. Unless it is proven that the bacteria has a temperature threshold less than 90F it seems unnecessary.
***Possible causes***
--first assumption is use of live crayfish as feeders, although housed and fed out, it is impossible to sterilize them so I should not have used them, they could easily be vectors for pathogenic bacteria. JUST A GUESS
--present from arrival/importation and relatively dormant, but I cannot explain why a sudden onset because I cannot determine a new stressor for the fish
Ray 1 (11" Flower Female ~ 2 year plus captive):
>>> inflammation of the fin edge, white with redness at the corners of each back fin. Normally the fins are "body color", this symptom is what frightens me the most, there is mention of this another thread
Ray 2 (8" Flower Female ~ 10 mo captive):
>>> erosion of the disc edge, very thin, white and damaged, slight not major
Ray 3 (7" Flower Male ~ 10 mo captive):
>>> erosion of the disc edge, very noticeable. basically the disc edge is not body color but white and seemingly paper thin and jagged
Ray 4 (8" MM Female ~ Captive bred, about 1.25 years old):
>>> very slight inflammation of the fin tips, no disc erosion
Tigrinus Cat (14-15" ~ 3 year captive):
>>> not presenting any symptoms
Refer to this thread as well, I believe it to be the same bacterium:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207827
They are NOT flicking as was described by other keepers with similar symptoms otherwise.
Medication:
Nitrofurazone (available from Jehmco in NJ or as Binox by Jungle Labs):
1 tsp per 100 gallons daily for 10 days with daily 1/3 volume water changes prior to treatments
Temp @ 82F. I am NOT raising temp to 90F as suggested by some. I feel that it will only unduly stress the rays and catfish by lowering the dissolved oxygen level. Furthermore it will increase the reproductive rate of the pathogenic bacteria prior to the Nitrofurazones' action. Nitrofurazone takes 5-10 days to work. In that time I do not think that it is wise to increase the amount of bacteria in the system and within the rays. Unless it is proven that the bacteria has a temperature threshold less than 90F it seems unnecessary.
***Possible causes***
--first assumption is use of live crayfish as feeders, although housed and fed out, it is impossible to sterilize them so I should not have used them, they could easily be vectors for pathogenic bacteria. JUST A GUESS
--present from arrival/importation and relatively dormant, but I cannot explain why a sudden onset because I cannot determine a new stressor for the fish
