Uaru Rescue mission

[Snowflake311]

SO I went to look at this tank I was thinking of buying. I was shocked to see these Uaru looking so bad. They have the wrost case of HITH I have even seen in person. They were so stressed they have fin rot too. When I was fishing them out they did not even fight. So I had to take them home. The water stunk. I had to move a decoration and then half a fish body floated to the top. I should have tested the water.

They are 5" and look like Poop. I have them in a 20 gal I'm going to do Daily WC feed them differant kinds of good food Veggie Flakes, chopped Liver, and Some good pellets. I hope I can get them healthy again. I don't have room for them long term unless I sell some fish but right now all my fish are still 4" or smaller so we will see.

Here they are. They are scared of me. But if I stay far away I see them swimming around all happy. But they don't like photos but I don't blame them they don't look their best.

I have rescused a fish with a very small case of HITH and got him healthy. Any other tips on how I can help these guy heal fast. I think just good clean water will do it.

Here they are still very shy around me. But I fed them some Veggie flakes and they loved them.

 

[knifegill]

You've already got it right, it sounds. Those guys should turn right around for you. They aren't as bad as they could be. Good of you to help them out.

 

[Snowflake311]

Thanks. This is the worst case I have ever had to deal with. I'm such a sucker for a cichlid in need.

 

[ryansmith83]

You could treat them with metro just to make sure there are no flagellates in the fish. Give them a few weeks of clean, warm water and let them build their strength, then do a week-long metro treatment.

They look really bad -- just be warned that with HITH that severe, they may have permanent scars.

 

[Snowflake311]

Yeah I was shocked at how bad these guy were. I know this was caused by bad water not parasites. The tank water had a dead fish smell to it. Also a dead fish in it. they were not taking care of the tank. They are so cute how they are always next to eachother best friends.

It will be interesting to see if they do fully heal or if they have scares. one has a dent in his back. Do you think living in such poor condition could stunt them?

Thanks guys.

 

[Bubbles2112]

Wow! Good on you! I hate to see fish kept in such bad conditions. I am not sure on the specific fish but I know that bad water conditions can cause some fish to not grow as they should. Angels can become deformed/stunted in overcrowded, bad-water grow out tanks...they are both cichlids..so if one does why not the other?

 

[ryansmith83]

The dent in the back could be a deformity that its had since birth. The only way that bad water could cause that kind of physical deformity would be if the fish were very young and its skeletal system were still developing. I've seen a lot of angelfish and discus develop poorly because of overcrowding and bad water when they were fry.

Keep the metro in mind if the pits don't heal. Sometimes water can be a primary cause but it will allow secondary problems like flagellates and worms.

 

[Snowflake311]

Good info guys thanks. I have some parasite cure by jungel that has metro in it So I have it if i need it.

 

[RonBurgundy]

Hats off to you on the rescue! I've rescued some fish before but not to the extent of those poor fish. Kinda makes you want to slap the previous owner, (or LFS) up side the head....
Good luck on the rehab, your doing evething you can.

 

[Snowflake311]

Before

After. this is the fish on the left.

Same fish.

This is the other one I call dent head now. This one hole is getting smaller but was deeper then the others. for some reason I could not get a good photo of him tonight.

They are doing great and healing up quicker then I thought they would. They still have a little ways to go. I think in a few weeks I can add them to my 100gal.