Bubble on Angler

[nicolecraig]

Hi
Anyone knows how to treat an angler with a huge bubble on its body. Pictures attached. Im assuming its called gas bubble disease???? If thats not the right name, what is it? I have given it Diamox and nothing still. Hopefully that wasnt a mistake. A little info on him. He was originally in a 90 gallon with a lot of rock and plants. He has had this bubble for about 2 weeks now. He still eats but is a lot slower.
Right now its in a ten gallon tank with no medication. I have no idea what the next move should be.
Any help is appreciated
Thanks
Nicole

http://s930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/nicolekathrinecraig/?action=view&current=DSCN1247.jpg
http://i930.photobucket.com/albums/ad144/nicolekathrinecraig/DSCN1246.jpg

 

[rosemoondust]

you might want to post this under fish disease

 

[namxas]

Is the fish having buoyancy problems?

If you've done a course of treatment with Diamox, I don't really hava a suggestion. It could be a precursor to SAD, or the stress of the move left it open for an infection, but whether it's viral or bacterial, who knows?

About the only thing I can think of is a course of Furan 2 in case it's bacterial, but I'm not what I'd call a disease expert by any means.

LisaD may have an idea...hit her up.

 

[nicolecraig]

yes it is having buoyancy problems. it leans toward the side the bubble is on

 

[namxas]

How long have you had the fish Nicole?

 

[nicolecraig]

about 7 months

 

[namxas]

I know may seem like a silly question, but has anything in the system changed recently? Are there tankmates? if so, what?
What has the fish been eating, and how often?

 

[nicolecraig]

no, no tank mates and we just removed a lot of the plants from the system. it had the bubble before we removed the plant though. we read somewhere that a lot of plants increases the level of dissolved oxygen and that might be it.

 

[namxas]

I suppose that's possible, altho we keep pretty much all sedentary fish (including anglers and SH) with lots of live macro, and have never had any issues.

I don't know where you've been reading about GBD, but EGBD used to be an issue with (mostly) WC SH, so that's where most of my knowledge comes from. I'm not sure what articles you've read, but here's a blurb lifted from a pretty good article written by one of our SH friends, Ann Gibler:

EGBD is likely the result of an error in the hydration of carbon dioxide to carbonic acid by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase, gas super-saturation in their environment, or a bacterial infection in which CO2, released by the bacteria, is trapped in the skin. The manifestation of gas bubbles in the skin has been successfully treated through the use of antibiotics, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and changes to the environment including the removal of skimmers. It is important to note that since EGBD is a symptom, each case could have a different cause and therefore require a different set of treatments.

Since you've tried Diamox (250 mg/10gals/day), I'd say go with a broad spectrum antibiotic. Do NOT puncture the bubbles, as that's simply ASKING for a secondary bacterial infection. That's what I'd do if the fish were ours.

I'm assuming when you tried the Diamox, you followed the following protocol:

ACETAZOLAMIDE (immersion) Dosage and Preparation Instructions for a 10g/38L Hospital Tank
Active Ingredient: Acetazolamide
Indication: gas bubble disease, edema, popeye
Brand Name: Diamox
Dose at 250mg per day for 3 days.
Replace the medication in ratio to the amount of water changed daily as needed to control ammonia.
Day 1 of Treatment
• Crush one 250mg tablet into a fine powder.
• Use a mini-blender or small hand-blender to thoroughly mix the powder with about 1 cup of marine
water.
• Allow the mixture to set for a few minutes.
• Gently pour off the dissolved portion of the mixture and discard any residue that has settled at the bottom of the container. (Do NOT add the residue to the hospital tank).
• Pour the mixture into a high-flow area of the hospital tank.
Days 2 – 3 of Treatment
• Perform 50% water change.
• Repeat "Day 1" instructions.

Do let us know how your fish is doing, as good or bad, it's the only way we can learn what works with uncommon species.