UPDATE: Now my RPB is sick.

[Dez]

it's kind of hard to diagnose without pictures, but it could be columnaris if you're seeing white splotches on the fish. can you get some pics?

if you have an average size hand, i would guess the fish is around 6 inches long or so, which is way too big for that tank. i know you can't upgrade, but whatever is wrong with your fish was most likely caused by stress, and a small tank causes lots of stress. the "20 gallon per fish" rule really only applies when you are talking about multiple fish in a big tank, a solo natt really should have AT LEAST a 40 breeder to himself. i know you are already aware of the fact that his tank is too small, but you are going to keep running into problems when you keep a larger fish in such a tiny tank.

the multiple water changes during the week may also be stressing him out depending on how much you change out... on a small tank like that with a large fish, i would recommend 3 10-15% changes during the week.

Yes, I'll take some pictures within the hour and see about getting them onto the computer to post here.

I know his tank is too small and I really wish I could do something about that... If by some miracle he lives, I'll see about trying to maybe buy a used tank of maybe 30 gallons. Would that be enough? 40 would probably be too big but either way I'll see what I can find. What I don't understand though, is why he was fine in his 20gal tank for 2 years, but would only now start to show stress due to it :/

As for water changes, I was told piranhas needed frequent, small changes due to their diet, so I've been trying to keep up with that. I really don't change it all that much, and when I do its a relatively small amount.

 

[JoeDizzleMPLS]

could you test your water and post your results here as well?

 

[Dez]

shame. Quebecs got nothin on craigslist. I can find 55 gallons for as low as 50-100 bucks fully set up here and i'm not even in a big U.S. city.

Ugh, you're so lucky That would be awesome... 50-100 bucks I could DEFINITELY afford. Easily.

 

[ballinouttacntrol]

Ugh, you're so lucky That would be awesome... 50-100 bucks I could DEFINITELY afford. Easily.

I know, i'd be stocking up on 75 and 125 gallon tanks if I didn't live in an apartment. Anyways, I hope you guys are able to save your P.

 

[Dez]

could you test your water and post your results here as well?

For something in particular, or everything? I've got a tester kit that tests for a bunch of things but can only do about 3 different phials at a time. Are they all shake for a few minutes then let sit for 10 minutes or does that only apply to nitrite? Sorry, I'm a bit of a newb, especially with water testing.

 

[JoeDizzleMPLS]

tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph would be a good start

 

[Dez]

tests for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and ph would be a good start

PH: 6.0
Nitrite: 0 ppm
Ammonia: 0 ppm.

I couldn't find a bottle for the Nitrate... I got this tester kit second-hand and there's one bottle missing as well as two phials. I guess Nitrate is the missing one.

Pics on their way if I can make my stupid camera work.

 

[Dez]

Finally, ugh. This is a nightmare. Sorry I couldn't get better pictures but this is all I can give you guys to work with.

Picture number one shows his nasty, tattered upper/dorsal fin and how its all splashed with a white tip and whatnot:

Pic number two shows his one white eye and a huge patch of white on his bottom lip that I didn't notice earlier since he was facing the other direction.

As you can see, its really not pretty.

 

[JoeDizzleMPLS]

looks kinda like fin rot to me

 

[Dez]

looks kinda like fin rot to me

Will the continued treatment of Melafix help with that or should I seek other methods...? He looks so awful and is hardly moving around that I'm feeling as if its too late...

Also, if its fin rot, why is it affecting his eyes and lip?