Pearl scale sick! - Page 3

MrFishead · 11-04-2006, 04:12 PM

In just noticed that around his eyes are very puffed up. Also he has been swimming very slowly and eating minimally these past few days.

Loman · 11-04-2006, 11:39 PM

MrFishead,
What you are describing may be pop eye disease - it is a little hard to tell with just words. If I recall correctly Jay's suggestion of Eurithromyacin will help with this as well. 10 gallons is a fine tank for a low bio load like you are describing. It sounds like there is a fair amount going on in the tank right now because I suspect that the cycle is just now really getting under way. The elevated levels of ammonia and nitrites will cause other issues to become much more pronounced. I would also pull out any carbon I had in the filter while you are treating the fish with most any medication.

MrFishead · 11-05-2006, 12:02 AM

I just looked looked up some pictures of it and it does look like what he has. What do you recomend I do? One website just said let it run its course.

Loman · 11-05-2006, 09:03 AM

Mr Fishhead,
You might look here too. Flippersandfins.net Pop-eye article

Here is an excerpt.
The bacterial causes may manifest themselves as septicemia from such organisms as Aeromonas, Pseudomonas and Edwardsiella, all gram-negative rod bacteria. To diagnose septicemia, you should look for red blotches or red streaks on the body and fins. Bloody splotches at the base of the pectoral fins are often the first indication of septicemia. It is when the bacterial infection attacks the internal organs that the eyes begin to collect fluid. If your fish is still eating, treat by feeding antibiotic food. The most effective medicated food is Medi-Gold, which contains three antibiotics, including kanamycin. Romet B and Tetra medicated food for bacterial infections are alternatives to use, but the Tetra brand food may be less effective due to bacterial resistance that has developed to its? antibiotic, tetracycline. If your fish has stopped eating or seems to be quite sick even with medicated food, then he should be treated with antibiotics in the water. The antibiotics kanamycin (Kanacyn) and minocycline (Maracyn-Two) have gram-negative rod bacterial coverage and can be used to treat septicemia.

Jay's suggestion of Eurythrimiacin is also usually good especially when a lot is going on in that it is a broad spectrum antibiotic. IMO I would pick one and go with it. I would not treat with both

MrFishead · 11-10-2006, 09:31 AM

I tried to find medigold, but i could not find it, i did by some other food but he did not eat it. I bought maracyn 2 like was recommended to me but he died last night.

The swelling is his eyes went down but there more and worse red blotches and when i came home he just floated there gasping

Jay · 11-10-2006, 10:30 AM

Wow! That was a lot of time, money, emotion, and finally disaster. All because the tank was not cycled

Even worse the lfs, knowing her ammonia was high, did not help or explain what she needed to do.

Jay

MrFishead · 11-10-2006, 06:26 PM

Im getting my money back for the food and antibiotics.

Loman · 11-10-2006, 07:47 PM

Mr Fishhead,
I am not sure that you will prevail in that course and it may just be more aggravation. I do think you now know something about the LFS you are dealing with. They should describe the cycling process to people much better and not sell fish until it is complete but I do not think many of them understand themselves. Once you had the problems described then it is a real challenge to dig out of the hole so to speak. I hope you continue to cycle the tank and once the ammonia and nitrite levels are down (to zero) try a few more fish. It really is a wonderful hobby and can be a lot of fun. You have learned a lot from tis experience and the next go around should be much better.

MrFishead · 11-10-2006, 11:52 PM

They manager at petco said they didnt have the medigold but to try some other product i bought as it worked for him and cured his ciclids. He also said that if it did not work i would get a full refund and thats what i did

I still dont understand cycling

Loman · 11-11-2006, 10:45 AM

GIven this statement about the LFS I withdraw any negative implications

. It actually sounds like they dealt with you very fairly and did what they said.

Read the sticky post on cycling because it is important to understand this. Essentially Fish produce ammonia (toxic/bad). Bacteria convert ammonia to Nitrite (still toxic/bad). Other bacteria convert Nitrite to Nitrate (not toxic and not bad). Nitrates can be controled and in some cases it can be converted to nitrogen which is good. The article has a lot more detail so read it but maybe this nutshell of the process will help. It also takes time to get the cycle to complete so you do not read any levels of ammonia or nitrite. These still exist briefly but are converted quickly enough it is not detectable.