Red Sores

[mjreefs]

Hi.

So today was supposed to be the “graduation” of my fish from QT. Upon checking my fish today, I noticed my multicolor had red (not bright red, probably dull red, like when skin is peeled off) sores over its body. The gills nor the mouth do not seem infected. Fish is still eating voraciously, and other fish don’t seem to be affected. The multicolor has been in the QT for 6 weeks in copper (because a potter’s was added to the tank on the 1st week, so had to reset the time). I couldn’t take a good picture because the lighting is so bad in the QT. Could it be a bacterial infection? And what would be the supposed medicine? And do I need to clear the tank of copper before I dose the meds? Many thanks.

 

[mjreefs]

Up. Need help asap as I would buy the meds.

Also, should I proceed in transferring the other fish not infected? Thanks

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Sounds like a bacterial infection or uronema. Pictures may help diagnose.
Is there ammonia? Potters and multicolor can be very sensitive to that. Have you checked for flukes?

I would not add any fish from that tank to your display until you have this solved. I would move the unaffected fish to a different qt if it were me.

Meds for infection, nfg is usually my first choice. Trifecta or spectogram is my second.

Uronema is trickier. Metronidazole given orally plus copper, cp or metro in the water are some options , but treatment is difficult.

 

[mjreefs]

Can’t get a good photo of him. Hope this would do. I’ll try to post a vid

 

[mjreefs]

 

[mjreefs]

So, there’s no ammonia, and I’ve checked for flukes and it’s negative. I’ve also dosed prazipro 2x prior to this incident. Unfortunately, moving them to another qt would not be feasible at this point, since I have no more space for one. There’s still copper in the system.

 

[ngoodermuth]

I can’t make out any sores in the picture or the video unfortunately. Not doubting they are there, just can’t see them.

Have they been in copper 30 days? If so, what I would do personally is remove the copper and start dosing kanaplex, metroplex, and furan-2 (trifecta) AND feed metroplex bound to food with Focus, for 10 days. You can dose each every 48 hours after a 25% water change (furan-2 has different instructions but can be dosed the same as the other two for simplicity, without ill effect)

This should take care of anything bacterial, uronema, and would also cover intestinal parasites as a bonus ;)

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

Going to need better pics for a diagnosis.

I can’t make out any sores in the picture or the video unfortunately. Not doubting they are there, just can’t see them.

Have they been in copper 30 days? If so, what I would do personally is remove the copper and start dosing kanaplex, metroplex, and furan-2 (trifecta) AND feed metroplex bound to food with Focus, for 10 days.

This should take care of anything bacterial, uronema, and would also cover intestinal parasites as a bonus ;)

For Uronema dose the Metro at twice the recommended dosage

 

[ngoodermuth]

For Uronema dose the Metro at twice the recommended dosage

Yes, good point. The instructions say 1-2 scoops per 10 gallons, go with the 2 scoops.

For feeding it’s one scoop of metroplex to one scoop of focus per 1 tablespoon of food.

 

[drstardust]

Uronema/bacterial infections are indeed high on the differential diagnosis. However, I don't see mention of what the copper level is. 6 weeks is also a long time to be in copper, even at standard therapeutic dose. Copper toxicity can cause such markings too.

 

[mjreefs]

Thanks for all the input, I have to find the trifecta, so far, there's no stock of them all (what a pain!). Any other suggestions? I think they have stock of Melafix Marine (not very sure). I've also read a post saying that raising their immune system through a nutritious meal and pristine water conditions will help. Would it help? If yes, I think I'll do that for now until I could get my hands on some antibacterial meds.

 

[mjreefs]

Also, I'll try to get a better picture tomorrow. I still have to find the camera.

 

[ngoodermuth]

You could give the angel a bath in ruby reef rally... it’s a mild antiseptic and has anti-parasitic properties. Might buy you some time.

It could be a copper or water quality reaction, so you could pull the copper and do a significant water change and see how he reacts. I’d still source the meds in the meantime, and do try to get more photos if you can. If it is bacterial or uronema you’ll want to treat sooner than later.

 

[mjreefs]

Here are somewhat better images of the angelfish. Still eating for now

 

[4FordFamily]

Here are somewhat better images of the angelfish. Still eating for now

Looks like infections to me, uronema that bad would be fatal and quickly. I’d source NFG (nitrofuracin green) and treat with just that and metroplex. Feed metroplex soaked food. Be aware that NFG is tough on biofilter and you’ll need bio spira to keep ammonia from taking over.

 

[mjreefs]

Looks like infections to me, uronema that bad would be fatal and quickly. I’d source NFG (nitrofuracin green) and treat with just that and metroplex. Feed metroplex soaked food. Be aware that NFG is tough on biofilter and you’ll need bio spira to keep ammonia from taking over.

Sadly there’s no way I could source NFG. What are the alternatives?

 

[mjreefs]

So, I managed to get my hands on Kanaplex, Focus, Metroplex (arriving in 2-5 days). I will try to source Furan-2, but I have Melafix on hand. What I plan to do is the following:
1. Since, there's still some copper in my system, I'll try to remove the copper through water changes during the treatment period.
2. Dose some melafix for the next 7 days hoping just to alleviate the symptoms.
3. Feed Metroplex-infused food to my fish once it arrives.

Some questions:
1. When using Metroplex in food, is it alright to mix some Vitamins? I'm currently using Aquaforest Fish V (no selcon here, sorry).
2. When the Furan-2 arrives, is it alright to dose the trifecta immediately after a 25% water change?

Thank you!

 

[ngoodermuth]

Yes, the vitamins are fine...

I wouldn’t wait for the Furan-2, I’d start the kanaplex and metroplex as soon as they arrive and then add in the Furan-2 as soon as you can. Infections can become deadly pretty quickly:(

 

[mjreefs]

One last question, for Metroplex, do I infuse it in food or do I just dose it in water like Kanaplex? Or do I do both?

 

[Frtdrmrose7]

I

One last question, for Metroplex, do I infuse it in food or do I just dose it in water like Kanaplex? Or do I do both?

I would do both