melafix

[Kigs]

Bill, can you share some insight on setting up a good QT system? I'm thinking of either 10g or a 40g breeder(so I can use it for other purposes in the future)...

Should I let it cycle for a week before moving him in? Or could I add some HOB (aquaclear 110) filters with fresh saltwater running for a day or two and add him in? As for the water flow, is it good to have it strong or moderate?

I'm also thinking of excluding a heater from the tank since he is a coldwater anthias...but not sure esp. because he already acclimated to the temp. of my reef. Also thinking BB, with few PVC pipes for him to hide in...and a small flourscent light over it.

 

[billsreef]

For the Anthias, probably a 10 gallon is best. Keep it simple For rapid set up, a sponge filter works well as you can bury in the substrate of your tank for a few hours to load up on junk (bacteria) and be biologically active in a hurry. I'd still use a heater for temperature stability, you want to keep things as stable as possible. PVC pipe fittings are excellent for cover in a QT, they are inert and won't effect meds and can be easily cleaned for reuse. And yes, BB and small light are good

 

[cb747]

Off topic but Bill you have a PM

 

[fishome25]

that looks more like Lymphocystis, a viral infection, rather than fungus.

 

[Kigs]

fishome25, that pic was displayed under the examples of Lymphocystis, so you're correct. I'm just not sure if my fish has lymph. or not since it's so hard to tell for sure.

I made a quick stop at Petco bought few items, patched up the old AC110, and I should be ready to move him by tomorrow night. Also purchased a 10'' air pump. Bill, is malachite green something that could be found in our local fish stores? Also wondering if mal. green would treat the cloudy eyes as well?

The anthias became a little more active and began to respond when I approached the tank like he used to. He even had some more flakes, but again, quickly retreated towards the back after few bites.

 

[Kigs]

I dug up some info. on melachite green from here and few things they listed made me skeptical of using it.
http://www.fishdoc.co.uk/treatments/malachite.htm

"It is likely that malachite green will be banned in the near future"

"Malachite green acts as a respiratory poison, damaging the cell¡¯s ability produce energy to drive vital metabolic processes."

Still safe to use? =\

Also, it says
"Malachite green is de-activated by light," so should I not put a light over the tank while treating?

Some updated pics, with areas I'm concerned abou highlighted.

Mixing garlic with frozen brine seemed to have helped alot. He ate more than usual before hiding again.

 

[KathyC]

Definitely need more than Melafix..half a fin missing is serious business. Also agree that the infection is probably not fungal as fungus is usually a secondary infection to something else in SW fish.
Use of Malachite Green should always be accompanied by use of an extra airline to provide the oxygen needed by the fish.

I would get him moved & start treatment ASAP!! A 10g tank for a QT is better than a 40..you'd have to add so much more medication to a 40! (think cost)

Why are the rest of your fish in a QT & what are you treating them for/with?

 

[fishome25]

I'd go against what most would do. I feel like putting it in a qt tank would stress it more. I'd feed it food soaked in kent marine c as well as adding it to the water and see how that goes.

 

[Kigs]

Kathy, they aren't being treated for anything. A YT was treated with melafix briefly for cloudy eyes, but now it became a holding tank for aggressive fish that were banished from the main display.

fishome25, that's what I figured too but if it gets worse, I'll have to move it to a QT. If he shows improvement, I'll try to treat it with good diet and vitamins.

 

[Kigs]

I started to treat the popeye with Maracyn 2. What do you guys recommend treating the infection shown in the pics I provided with? still malachite green?

 

[billsreef]

The pics aren't clear enough to be sure, are those spots on the fins fuzzy like a cotton ball, or more of a solid slimy sort of look? If they are not fuzzy, it's likely bacterial and the maracyn 2 will take care of it also.

 

[Kigs]

Update, day 7 in the QT, furan2 treatment finished on day 5. Thank you everyone that has participated in this thread. At this point, the popeye is completely gone, and the substance that existed on its fins have disappeared. It continues to eat like a pig and looking healthier by the day. He really proved to be a survivor..knock on wood. I just added carbon tonight to start removing some of the furan2, along with a small water change. In another week or so, I think I will be ready to move him back to the main tank. Thanks again for all your help!

 

[cb747]

Thats great!

 

[KathyC]

Great to hear it's going so well. Furan 2 is a great product for what it was created for.
Sounds like a good plan to wait another week to be sure all is well. Your patience with this is admirable!!

 

[billsreef]

:thumbsup:

 

[Kigs]

I may have spoken too soon... Looking at him in the QT tonight, I noticed that his tail fin seemed a bit odd. It looked like the bottom tail fin was nipped, and it had lice looking white spots all over it. I don't know why it looks nipped since it's all alone in a 10g, maybe an accident with a powerhead? It looks like it happend over night...

Are there any diseases out there that fits the description? The previous symptoms of pop eye and cotton looking thing is still gone. sorry for the dark pictures in advance.

 

[billsreef]

Flukes are good possible with that description, and could also cause that kind of fin damage. Set up a fresh water dip, well aerated, dechlorinated, temp adjusted and pH adjusted. Place the fish in there for 1 to 5 minutes. Laying down and playing dead or swimming nervously in the dip or normal, so don't worry. If the fish does have flukes, they will turn opaque and fall off making the dip container look like a snow globe.