My Fish are Dieing

[fishyz]

For some reason my fish are dropping like flies in my 150 gallon tank. I thought it would just blow over but now my spottail shiners (one of my favorite fish) have gotten it. So I decided I need to do some thing about it.

The only sign of this illness is that there's this white, fuzzy patch that appears from the dorsal fin to the caudal fin. It kills quickly so now that my spottail shiners only have a day or so left.

I but some salt in the tank last night to help get rid of it but that does not seem to be doing anything. I need help to cure this as it is killing my stock of. IIf anyone has any idea how to cure it please share it.

Thanks
-Corban

 

[ozz465]

Ich?????? a pic would help..

 

[fishyz]

It's not ick.

I would like to get a pic but the camera's flash doesn't work so the pic would be dark. I might try a pic though.

I think it's fungus of some sort.

 

[sabotage]

some kind of parasite or something..is it velvet>> I hope they PULL THROUGH!!

 

[~A betta named Mowgli~]

Use melafix, pimafix, and anti-fungal treatment.

 

[scottgeeze]

Sounds like some type of body fungus.

 

[guppy]

While it could be a fungus it sounds more like a bacterial infection like one of the aeremonas group, wide spectrum antibiotics geared towards gram negative bacteria often work on these if you act quickly enough. A combo of Maracyn and Maracyn 2, is a pretty good choice as is Binox. Tri-sulfas can also work. The group can cause several diseases, but one type is a slimy feeling short white fuzzy growth that spreads quickly and often starts along the lateral lines.

 

[fishyz]

I put aquarium salt and melafix in the tank. However, neither shiner made it . For those that don't know what a spottail shiner is just google it and you'll see that even though they aren't that colorful it's a shame that they are found in fish stores that often if at all.

Also, my smallest weed shiner (not as cool as the spottails but still cool) has this white worm thing hanging off of it's anal fin. The worm is about half an inch long and just sits there. I want to take the weed shiner out of the tank and take the worm off but I don't know if that's a good idea. Should I take the worm off?

Thanks

 

[guppy]

If the worm has an end embedded in the tissue of the fin it is probably one of the many anchor worms, they are relatively harmless but can reproduce and sometimes they can penetrate the abdominal wall and kill the fish. I treat them by gently securing the fish and removing the worm with forceps or tweezers by firmly pulling straight out from the fish until the worm comes loose. Dispose of the worm in the trash. I also swab the wound with hydrogen peroxide or iodine before putting the fish back in the tank, as it can become a site for a secondary infection. These parasites are pretty common among wild caught fish but I have never lost a fish to them or had any problems after removing them.

 

[scottgeeze]

While it could be a fungus it sounds more like a bacterial infection like one of the aeremonas group, wide spectrum antibiotics geared towards gram negative bacteria often work on these if you act quickly enough. A combo of Maracyn and Maracyn 2, is a pretty good choice as is Binox. Tri-sulfas can also work. The group can cause several diseases, but one type is a slimy feeling short white fuzzy growth that spreads quickly and often starts along the lateral lines.

Guppy you are one smart MoFo, and I mean that with nothing but respect sir.