something looks like it is eating my fish alive

[wyatt and alex]

Help
Today I was cleaning my tanks and I found my little flowerhorn with this horrible wound and have no clue what it is…. [see pictures below]. It had been hiding among the rocks in its tank so I never saw this wound till I was moving stuff around in the tank.

A week ago I thought it had costia because it looked like its skin was peeling away all arounf its head and face (it looked like an ashy fish). It had this cloudy color to its slime coat. Treated with copper and heat and the fish bounced back and I went about my business thinking that the problem was solved. And today this – and I don’t know what to do – currently I have done a 50% water changed and increased the heat (slowly) I also put iodine on the wound to prevent further infection. It is housed by itself so I know this wasn’t the result of another fish and the water parameters are fine.
If anyone could help me and this little flowerhorn we would be grateful.

 

[Aquanero]

Do another water change and try treating with Erythromycin. It might be too late but it's worth a shot.

 

[wyatt and alex]

so are you thinking its bacterial? also, what should i do with the tank equipment - i have my nets soaking in a bleach water mixture

 

[Aquanero]

Nontuberculous mycobacteria or Vibrios bacteria is a possability since the costia treatment didn't work. You should wear gloves when handeling the fish. Isolate in a hospital tank and treat with the anitbiotic. Compleatly clean the tank with bleach and water. I'm not a vet so research the above for yourself. Those huge sores do like like the way the bacteria effects the skin. Treating with the antibiotic at this stage may or maynot help but it woun't hurt either.

 

[Ash]

Flavobacteria columnaris, look that up and see if seems like what you have. I am just throwing it out there. I know this bacteria... the slime coat will peel off, then the skin/scales peels off.... might want to look into it. If it is this you may not want to rase the temp. as from what i have read on the bacteria it will be more harmful. I know irritants and osomitic issues can cause slime coat peel but that looks more like a bacteria...

 

[Aquanero]

I posted this in the thread "This has stumped the oscar comunity"

Flexibacter columnaris is a bacteria found on the slime coating fish. This has also been been refered to as saddle back disese when seen as raised white or grayish patches on the body. The patches is what got me thinking about this. When the bacteria starts to multiply beond normal levels it thrives in warm water well airated tanks it is a gram negitive, arobic bactreia. As a treatment you should do a 50% water change, lower the temp in the tank to 72 and the add aquarium salt dosed at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water. Methylene Blue or Peroxide can be applied directly to the affected areas to speed treatment.

Kanamycin would be the best antibiotic to treat this. It might be beyond what salt alone can handle.