Sick Featherfin

[llamabob]

Ugh, just as one of my featherfins in another tank is being treated for possible gill fluke, my new Geophagus Red head Tapajo brought ich to the tank downstairs, however something if off about my second featherfin.
Currently treating ich, about 3/4 the standard salt dose, temp is 82, hes a little lethargic but kinda of expected with ich. However his skin troubles me. It has taken on a slightly milky hue in several large patches, particularly his underside and down by his tail.
I did my weekly cleaning yesterday, params are all normal, standard 40% water change etc.
Pics, included, any ideas or is it natural fading from being sick from ich?

 

[llamabob]

Well things have worsened. I won't take more pictures because a camera can't capture the texture, but almost all of his body has what can best be described has a soft, bumpy, milkish colored texture. Almost like his body is covered in a very, very thin coating of dark but milkish grits, is another way to explain it. I did another water change earlier today just to make sure Nitrates were as low as possible as they are sensitive but things seem worse.

Oddly enough I haven't seen almost any improvement in the ich. Past treatments I have seen a vast difference in 24 hours after raising the temp and adding salt.

Anyone have any ideas/suggestions? I can honestly say I feel like he won't survive another 2 days the way hes acting, desperate for a solution.

 

[TLkmDN]

wow...i think its a bacterial infection. u probably have to to go the fishshop and buy that green medicine stuff, add rock salt to the water and raise the temp. also stop feeding because that accelerates the sickness apparently. fish usually dont eat wen they are sick anyways. if it is eating - chances are that its not sick.

 

[Nick660]

Personally i think i would try some sort of medication at this stage. Maybe something like Protozin (not sure if it's available in US though) or similar to treat for ich and fungus. Maybe also try something like eSHa 2000 ? Just make sure they are ok to use on all the tank inhabitants first.

Hope things improve.

 

[llamabob]

Tank disaster, I have no idea whats going on! My Farlowella looks terrible, the catfish is barely alive..what is going on, never seen this before?!

I added Melafix, anti bacterial and fungus, got to try somethig at this point, anyone have any idea from the pictures what I'm facing?

 

[Red Devil]

This is so incredibly sad..i hope you find out whats wrong...

 

[llamabob]

Yeah this is driving me nuts. I was going to euthanize my catfish but he started swimming again so I'm going to see how he does. I went to pull the farlowella out and realized he was still alive! He's on his belly now breathing so I'm going to give him another night to see if the melafix can give him a boost for the better.

If the condition is any worse tomo I'm going to have to put down the featherfin and farlo

 

[Nick660]

So sorry to see this.

You tend to see mixed feelings about Melafix - some say its good, others say they find it doesn't do much.

It looks like you have a serious bacterial infection in your tank of some sort - you'll need to use a broad spectrum antibiotic I would think.

Have you read this thread:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89579
May be similar problem?

I hope it's not to late to be able to save some of your fish.