What's going on with my Jack Dempsey?
- Thread starter rmkblades
- Start date
Hope its not the dreaded "duck lips", if it starts to gradually progress into something like this
If it does, I find it is best to euthanize the infected fish, to save the other so far uninfected fish in the tank.
I would also drop the temp below 82'F. At 82'F and higher the disease is most virulent.
Other members may have found antibiotic or other treatments work, but once the disease presents symptoms, in my case at least, its been too late in the game, and I'm about protecting the others.
Once the infected fish is removed, I have also treated the tank with a weak oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide.
If it does, I find it is best to euthanize the infected fish, to save the other so far uninfected fish in the tank.
I would also drop the temp below 82'F. At 82'F and higher the disease is most virulent.
Other members may have found antibiotic or other treatments work, but once the disease presents symptoms, in my case at least, its been too late in the game, and I'm about protecting the others.
Once the infected fish is removed, I have also treated the tank with a weak oxidizer such as hydrogen peroxide.
Yes the typical drug store concentration type peroxide.
I did this about 6 months ago, dumping a quart into an infected 50 gal tank that's on a sump. Also did some serious vacuuming to pull any detritus that the bacteria may be residing in.
I believe by the time the peroxide had passed thru the sump it had been neutralized by detritus, but had done the job of killing/compromising the bacterial population.
The fish seemed to be unaffected, and other than the initial individual infected (that died of the acute infection), are still alive.
I did this about 6 months ago, dumping a quart into an infected 50 gal tank that's on a sump. Also did some serious vacuuming to pull any detritus that the bacteria may be residing in.
I believe by the time the peroxide had passed thru the sump it had been neutralized by detritus, but had done the job of killing/compromising the bacterial population.
The fish seemed to be unaffected, and other than the initial individual infected (that died of the acute infection), are still alive.
I want to say, that I really can't tell from the pics if it is duck lips, or not, a side shot could help with ID. Duck lips can also present to fuzzy patches in and around the mouth.
It could be a simple jaw dislocation, and if so you should be able to pop it back into place with your finger, duck lips feels solid, and the jaw will not return to position.
It could be a simple jaw dislocation, and if so you should be able to pop it back into place with your finger, duck lips feels solid, and the jaw will not return to position.
i believe cotton mouth is gram negative so the antibiotic has to work on these, i cleared it with maracyn 2 for gram negative, maracyn 1 is for positive and various other ab's wont work depending on water chemistry... surprised aquanero hasnt chimed in, he knows about all this stuff... good luck pal.
Hey Justin,
Thanks for the help...I appreciate it. I can't seem to find any maracyn 2, but I have started treating the tank with 2500 mg/s of amoxicillin...every 48 hrs. Basically I calculated 250 mg per 10 gallons and it's a 100g. Hopefully this will help until I can try and locate some maracyn 2 (but not likely until after the new year). Again, thank you for the help and I will post any updates as to my JD's condition. Hoping for the best and hope you have a great New Year!!!!
-Rouben
PS- Fortunately, the infection seems to have not spread beyond his inner lips...for now. He is not showing signs of protruding lips which is usually a bad sign. I have lowered the temp to about 77 degrees and with any luck the amoxicillin may help slow down the infection as well. I don't believe my other fish will suffer any negative effects from the antibiotics (if anything, it may serve to protect them), however....I don't recall if amoxycillin will wipe out beneficial bacteria...but i do have a full bottle of seachem stability to help jump start the bacteria if this is the case.
Thanks for the help...I appreciate it. I can't seem to find any maracyn 2, but I have started treating the tank with 2500 mg/s of amoxicillin...every 48 hrs. Basically I calculated 250 mg per 10 gallons and it's a 100g. Hopefully this will help until I can try and locate some maracyn 2 (but not likely until after the new year). Again, thank you for the help and I will post any updates as to my JD's condition. Hoping for the best and hope you have a great New Year!!!!
-Rouben
PS- Fortunately, the infection seems to have not spread beyond his inner lips...for now. He is not showing signs of protruding lips which is usually a bad sign. I have lowered the temp to about 77 degrees and with any luck the amoxicillin may help slow down the infection as well. I don't believe my other fish will suffer any negative effects from the antibiotics (if anything, it may serve to protect them), however....I don't recall if amoxycillin will wipe out beneficial bacteria...but i do have a full bottle of seachem stability to help jump start the bacteria if this is the case.