Might be nothing, any ideas?

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mikeb210

mikeb210

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Feb 20, 2008
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NC
About 6 months ago, my amphilophus was showing three small, white spots at the base of his tail. I treated with melafix and the spots almost completely cleared up. They slowly turned into what looked like a small cut, which now looks almost worm like. He isn't showing any symptoms and acts normal, but I'm worried because it looks like its getting bigger. It doesn't seem to be a worm, though it definitely looks that way. I can't really get any good pictures either, but I'll upload what I have. Again, sorry for the terrible photography. Hope someone can help. Thanks

Mike

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Hi Mike,

Mike, I do not think Melafix really will help here. Despite the claim of its antibacterial properties, I do not believe melaluca oil's purpose is to eliminate possible bacteria infecting the area. It will help heal the wound but that's it.

I would recommend that at this point, the fish must be separated in a hospital tank (barebottom). The cuts could get infected in a heavily decorated tank where bad bacteria can persist to latch.

Once separated, add a teaspoon per gallon of pure sodium chloride. Be sure to dissolve it before you add. The second set must be added after 12 hours. If your fish is tolerant so far, add the third and last set to total three teaspoons per gallon. The salt will keep bacteria at bay. Keep water well aerated and maintain temp at least 80 degrees.

I'd give povidone iodine a shot if there is no improvement after 3-5 days. Dab lightly on those areas but expect the fins to show strong reaction to it. It will fray a bit but should recover in the end.

Does the cut look angry red at all?
 
Thanks Lupin,

No red angry looking areas, the whole "worm" is the same color as the fish.

I keep that tank over filtered and around 76* and I maintain salt levels around 1 TBSP per 5 gallons, I also run a UV sterilizer. My water parameters have always been good, I do about 50% water changes weekly and I run enough purigen in there to keep even the trace nasties away.

I will look into the iodine though. I've been hesitant to use anything serious as I'm not really sure there is anything to worry about here, except looking ugly.

Lupin;4805027; said:
Hi Mike,

Mike, I do not think Melafix really will help here. Despite the claim of its antibacterial properties, I do not believe melaluca oil's purpose is to eliminate possible bacteria infecting the area. It will help heal the wound but that's it.

I would recommend that at this point, the fish must be separated in a hospital tank (barebottom). The cuts could get infected in a heavily decorated tank where bad bacteria can persist to latch.

Once separated, add a teaspoon per gallon of pure sodium chloride. Be sure to dissolve it before you add. The second set must be added after 12 hours. If your fish is tolerant so far, add the third and last set to total three teaspoons per gallon. The salt will keep bacteria at bay. Keep water well aerated and maintain temp at least 80 degrees.

I'd give povidone iodine a shot if there is no improvement after 3-5 days. Dab lightly on those areas but expect the fins to show strong reaction to it. It will fray a bit but should recover in the end.

Does the cut look angry red at all?
Click to expand...
 
That is one handsome fella!!

I cannot see very much of the area, but I can see that it is a raised area. Perhaps a nematode? Could you do a google search and see if that is what your raised area looks like?

If you feed live fish, especially un-quarantined fish, a nematode problem *could* result from that.
 
So apparently whatever it was, it was serious. When the lights came on this morning, my fish was dead. No signs of fighting or anything in the tank and the other fish (convict, argentea, 5 cories) are fine. Water also tested out fine, so I'm at a loss. Thanks for trying to help everyone
 
I did not dissect, but the spot in question feels like a deformed ray in the tail. Maybe the bumps caused a weird growth in the fin?

purplecandle;4834451; said:
did you dissect the wound/spot in question? It may be important for the health of you other fish.
Click to expand...
 
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