jackiep

Hi, my name is Jackie and we have 2 sick tinfoil barbs in our 125 gallon tank. We noticed a few days ago that they had some red marks, and thought maybe someone was picking at them. The marks have gotten worse (see attached pics). The pet store thought it might be hemorrhagic septicemia and gave us tetracycline. Any ideas if that is what they have, or could it be something else? They are acting fine and eating OK. The other fish do not have it, but is it contagious and what chances do the barbs have of getting better.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

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sirdarksol

What's the ammonia level in the tank? It doesn't quite look like ammonia poisoning (I can't see red around the gills) but it's always best to check the easiest thing first.

Unsure of what to do. Tetracycline's probably a good place to start if it is septicemia.
My wife is a neonatal nurse, and she said that things are bad when they get to septicemia. They use IV antibiotics by that point (difficult to do in an aquarium).
They don't take any extra precautions as far as isolation, but the babies are already pretty isolated already, and they aren't in a shared liquid, which would spread infections more easily.

I would think about isolating the fish if you've got a tank you can do so with, not only for the other fish's safety, but also for its. Some fish will pick on a weak fish, all but guaranteeing its death. Also, it'll be easier to treat the one fish without de-cycling the whole tank.

Vitachem for all involved, as well as high-quality fish food (like OmegaOne), and more water changes can also help the sick one pull through and the others fight off any infections.

susitna-flower

IF you have a hospital tank you need to carefully separate these fish. I do not like to treat the whole tank especially a large tank, it is hard on your nitrogen cycle, and is hugely expensive! Please, do you have the test results for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate?

First thing I would do is after you have removed the fish, do a 50% water change in your big tank, regardless of the test results, but you need to try to maintain nitrates in your tank between 5-10. This may take several large water changes, and gravel vacuuming.

If you used tetracycline in your large tank, place new carbon in your filter for 24 hours to remove it, and watch very carefully, the water tests, because you may have killed the bacteria in the tank that complete the nitrogen cycle.

NOW for your sick fish. The LFS person had it about pegged, I would just suggest one of two different meds, before what they gave you.

#1 would be Maracyn-Two by Mardel. In a 10 gallon tank this will not break the piggy bank, but will treat the fish through its systemic action, without the fish having to "eat it"

Do the full treatment, and water changes as described on the package. This may involve two full treatments, or as much as they say is safe. When treating with any medication, follow the instructions carefully.

If you don't see marked improvement after two full rounds of treatment, you could try Maracyn-Plus, which has two different antibiotics and an agent which causes the medicine to stick to the fish....it treats "ulcers" . BEFORE you switch medicines however do a big water change, and run carbon in the filter for 24 hours, than start the new medicine for the full duration.

If your fish are going to recover, you should know by the end of this treatment.

jackiep

Ammonia levels were fine, but nitrites were high. The more I've read, it seems likely it is septicemia. I've read sometimes the fish get better, but in many cases they do not. They seem OK now, but I don't want them to suffer.

If anyone has experience with septicemia, please let me know what chances these guys have.....

susitna-flower

I have fish that have gotten better. My oldest gourami has had it several times, he is now 3 years old, and still with me.

By the way, no one posting yet has said, WELCOME TO FISHLORE!

I really hope your kids get better, I bet it just has you really stressed out, and worried about the other fish in your tank.

This is why I suggest you deal with the water condition in your big tank also. Most here recommend the API Master test kit, which will give accurate readings, you will be able to keep much better handle on just where your readings are and when you need to do water changes. If you have ANY readings for ammonia or nitrites you need to be doing water changes of 25-50% EACH day until they go down and nitrates come up....This can take weeks!

Even though even the test kit tells you that nitrates are ok up to 20, to keep a really healthy tank, where you don't have problems like are currently going on, I suggest water changes any time nitrate climbs over 10! Good Luck

sirdarksol

You said nitrites, correct? If your tank has nitrites, something messed with your cycle (which may have been the tetracycline, depending on how long ago you added it) That may have stressed the fish and opened their systems to infection.

Sorry, I somehow missed that two fish were sick. If two are sick, it's likely communicable. I agree with Susitna, separate them. Even if you've got to go out and buy a plastic storage container, cheap filter, and heater from walmart.
She's likely got more experience with fish septicemia (since I've never dealt with this particular illness), so take her advice on the antibiotics, too. Tetracycline can be used for this kind of thing in humans, but then again, you've got the ability to inject it into humans.

Lastly, I apologize, but I don't know what the survival rates are.

COBettaCouple

Welcome to Fishlore. We hope your barbs are healed up soon.

sirdarksol

Welcome to Fishlore (You just sounded so knowledgeable that I missed that this was your first post)