Hi,
We have been treating Fortune since April 13, 2017, when the fish was being sucked on by a Pleco that has since been rehomed. We have changed all things in the tank to optimal set-up, we have changed our water changing schedule and methods, we have done every possible treatment including two weeks in a Nitrate Chamber. The fish would alternate swimming and laying on its side before our move 6/30/2017. I think our move to a new house further injured it because now it spends all it’s time laying on its side. It eats, the water parameters are healthy. I think this is a physical injury we are dealing with. I have tried attaching a photo of beginning treatment as well as one taken today, 8/9/17 The water is yellow because we are in the middle of a garlic treatment. However, the pictures are too big and I don’t have time to resize them, my baby is awake. I will email you.
Any suggestions?
Do you see any signs of oxygen deprivation? Are the gills and mouth overworking? Are the gills turning pink or red on the exterior?
What if the fish is suffering from nitrate issues, and just happens to be the only fish I’ve ever seen with an appetite? The fact is, it was poisoned by nitrites and then nitrates in the past, and maybe more than once. Maybe it needs more than the chamber, or maybe it needed more time in the chamber
It might be worth a try; the gill flush. The gill flush oxygenates the blood stream. Have a syringe with no needle ready. Here how it works; you scoop the fish up in a one gallon container. You add one tablespoon of H202 to a glass of tank water; have it ready. Add it to the water; pouring all around slowly, mixing with your hand as you do so. Fill the syringe with bath water treated with H202. Lift the fish’s head above the surface, and it should gasp, giving you a chance to administer. Place the syringe inside of the mouth, pointed at one gill, and squeeze the solution out. Repeat the process treating the other gill
Repeat once a day
Fish that have suffered nitrate poisoning are experience oxygen loss in the blood stream. This treatment replaces that loss safely. No matter whether nitrates are the issue or not, the treatment sure can’t hurt. Making sure the blood is heavily oxygenated could help the fish recover
When fish raise their scales, it does feel bark like, because scales are hard. When they lay down, you feel the slime coat. I’m sure the water temps were fine in the chamber, and have been fine in the fish house as well, so in this case the fish has fever; meaning infection of some kind; not good
As for the circular black marks; never seen this before
Reduce the water temps to 64f for a while. If the fish has a fever this will help reduce temps. Let’s try a mint treatment; one cup of mint tea per 10 gallons of water. Make sure the parameters are on the mark as you have been doing
I would love to have a close up shot of the circular and black marks, but not at the fish’s expense. It’s not going to help me determine a diagnosis anyway, and the fact is, there are some things we can’t fix. The only thing that will give some hope; dying fish do not eat, so it’s possible the condition will improve
I know it’s painful to watch after everything the fish has been through. I tell people, it’s time to say goodbye to the fish when it’s too much for the fish keeper to bare, so if you can take it, so can the fish
If the fish is eating, the problem is non related to nitrates, even though it’s hard to believe considering the position. It’s possible the fish was injured, but how? I’ve never known a pond pump to injure a fish. If it were an injury, it would have to be caused by a filtering system
The only other thing that causes this curled position is SSg, and we know that’s not an issue. Did you use chlorophyll in the chamber? No matter; it’s just not nitrate poisoning if the fish is eating. Are you quite certain?
So sad to see the other fish under it. They’re bonded, and the other fish is offering support
I printed out the photo, and traced it. If you noticed, there’s a sharp angle on the top side of the fish; it shouldn’t be there. With nitrates, the bend is smooth, a soft curl. This could be the result of injury, but how? Doesn’t make sense
If the fish is eating, it’s got a chance of surviving. Just keep the water right, and cross fingers. If you notice it’s stopped eating for more than a few days, we consider euthanization. If we go that direction, it’s important to get another fish for the one
Sorry to hear this. We’ve been through a lot with this fellow. It was doing so well too
So, after talking with Farbod he noticed a few things that may be helpful.
When we first started treating Fortune in April he felt bark like scales during the salt baths. When moving and during treatment for the egg impaction he said that it felt as if it had healed a bit. During treatment in the Nitrate chamber, he said the bark like scales were back on both sides now. With some black bruising. Which I have noticed as the fish moves around. Circular and black.