Sick Fire Eel

[Ras Haile]

Have you tested your water?

Yes

If yes, what is your ammonia?

2ppm

If yes, what is your nitrite?

0

If yes, what is your nitrate?

.2ppm

If I did not test my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be asked to do a test, and that water tests are critical for solving freshwater health problems.

Do you do water changes?

Yes

What percentage of water do you change?

41-50%

How frequently do you change your water?

Every week

If I do not change my water...

1. ...I recognize that I will likely be recommended to do a water change, and water changes are critical for preventing future freshwater health problems.

I have a 12 inch fire eel that appears to have fungus, and his breathing is laboring. What is the safest treatment? Melafix is not effective so far. I’m scared to do too much salt or erythromycin because of it being a scaless fish. Any suggestions?

 

[Rocksor]

Do enough water changes and bring your ammonia to 0.25ppm. Having that high of ammonia will not allow any medication to even work. There's a good chance the labored breathing will decrease.

Anti-biotics are safe for scaleless fish. Salt can be tolerated if done at small doses that increases over 3-5 days. Clown loaches can handle 1 tablespoon of salt per gallon for ich treatment as an example. It's the other medication types like malachite green that are harmful to them. Melafix might be a good prevention, but it will not cure a bacterial infection that has taken hold. Stop using melafix.

Start with getting the ammonia under control. Dose the tank with Seachem Prime everyday for full tank dosage.