Reddish belly?

[B.K.]

Hi,

Recently i noticed the belly of one of my polys. His belly is reddish in color like a patch of rash. My setup is a bare tank no gravels. I've dosed melafix for a week already. Condition still same but fish still feeding very well.

Anyone has any idea whats wrong?

Thanks

 

[Oddball]

No idea until more info is provided.

What's the latest test results? (ammonia, pH, nitrates, etc.)
What's the maintenance schedule and program? (ie:waterchanges)
What's the temp?
Tankmates/tank size?

Usually the reddish discoloration is the result of water parameters being off. Temp should be around 80F. The water should be clean with a recent water change. The pH hsould be on the alkaline side. Mine are at pH level between 7.6 and 8.0.

BTW, I stopped using mel/pimafix on primitive species since there have been alot of unexplained deaths within a short time of using these meds. I treat polys with salt and temp predominantly. If meds are needed, I resort to veterinary-grade antibiotics instead of the broad-spectrum cure-alls found on lfs shelves.

 

[B.K.]

Usually the reddish discoloration is the result of water parameters being off. Temp should be around 80F. The water should be clean with a recent water change. The pH hsould be on the alkaline side. Mine are at pH level between 7.6 and 8.0.

BTW, I stopped using mel/pimafix on primitive species since there have been alot of unexplained deaths within a short time of using these meds. I treat polys with salt and temp predominantly. If meds are needed, I resort to veterinary-grade antibiotics instead of the broad-spectrum cure-alls found on lfs shelves.

What's the latest test results? (ammonia, pH, nitrates, etc.) Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrate aprrox 80ppm
What's the maintenance schedule and program? (ie:waterchanges) Weekly wc of 25%
What's the temp? 30-31 deg cels
Tankmates/tank size? Housing 20 bichirs in a 280gal

I will stop using melafix from today. Surprisingly only one bichir has contracted this. The rest are ok.

 

[Oddball]

The temp is alot higher than I've seen anyone maintain for polypterus. This one poly may have a congenital defect that doesn't allow it to adjust to higher than normal temps. Is there any way to isolate the one in another tank and bring it's tank temp down from 31C to 27C? If so, you may witness that it's not affected by disease but, by a blood regulating condition inherent in some individuals in all animal species.

 

[B.K.]

The temp is alot higher than I've seen anyone maintain for polypterus. This one poly may have a congenital defect that doesn't allow it to adjust to higher than normal temps. Is there any way to isolate the one in another tank and bring it's tank temp down from 31C to 27C? If so, you may witness that it's not affected by disease but, by a blood regulating condition inherent in some individuals in all animal species.

Learnt something new today oddball. thanks!

At the moment i'm trying to aerate strongly and do up a wet/dry to bring the temp down. All my tanks temp are like this. Guess its due to the climate over here. Any other methods to bring the temp down?

 

[Oddball]

The best method would be to employ a flow-thru or drop-in chiller on your wet/dry. If that's not a viable option, running a fan over the surface of the water will cool as a swamp cooler does. Just be prepared to replenish the evaporated water more often.
By the temp, I would hazard a guess that these tanks are outside? Is there any way to bring them inside (in an air conditioned room)?

 

[Oddball]

For dangerously high temps, dropping small soda bottles full of ice or large soda bottles filled with cool water will help bring the temp back to safe levels without endangering the fish with chlorinated water. Just prep enough bottles to allow for a rotation until they're no longer needed.

 

[BIGgourami]

just as a side question if what was suggested does not worklook later for a lump to develop, if one does monitor and slowly up the slat levels cause it's most likely a kind of intestinal parasite that has completed it's life cycle and is now exiting the fish. my sen had this happen to him twice and i got him through it with mostly just raising the salt levels.

 

[jordanlewis100]

i used to have an ornate that i raised from 3"-4" to 10.5" and then he swelled up and it looked like slashes developed all along his body,this happened really quickly and then he died i was really attatched to this fish i will get another bichir soon,my water was temp:78f,ammonia:0,nitrite:0,nitrate:25mgl,Ph:7.8 by the way my delhezi was fine so maybe there are diseases peculiar to individual fish!

 

[B.K.]

The best method would be to employ a flow-thru or drop-in chiller on your wet/dry. If that's not a viable option, running a fan over the surface of the water will cool as a swamp cooler does. Just be prepared to replenish the evaporated water more often.
By the temp, I would hazard a guess that these tanks are outside? Is there any way to bring them inside (in an air conditioned room)?

I guess i will try using cooling fans. Isit more effective on main tank or in sump?

Thanks oddball once again