shortcut mary

Hello All...My Discus is sick w/red sore by/on pectoral fin. Noticed it one day, next day has wooly{white}stuff on site. Took photo, took it to my Aquarium store and guy looks perplexed. Told me to purchase "Anti-Parasite" w/PRAZIQUANTEL. Prior to medicating the entire tank, I wondered if someone here could offer suggestions. attached is the picture.

I look forward to learning from the Fish Lore members.
Thanks! Mary

Attached Images

lil eddie sore resized.jpg (41.8 KB, 13 views)

susitna-flower

First it is never a good idea to treat the whole tank....this is stressful and can disrupt your cycle.

If you have a quarantine tank, place your discus over there....hopefully it is cycled, and you have to keep close track on the water quality.....Discus need warm temperatures and pristine water conditions.

The description you gave would suggest a treatable condition, if you work fast....First the red spot suggests Septicemia...a bacterial infection....the white tufts are a fungus infection....Often these go hand and hand, and have to both be treated.

I like to use Mardel products. Maracyn-Two it treats the Septicemia, and Maroxy can be used as well to treat the fungus...

Follow directions on the packaging, and remember to keep doing tests on the water you HAVE to keep the ammonia, and nitrite at 0 and nitrates no more than about 5 to allow this fish to heal...it might mean adjustment to the amount of medication you are using.


Not knowing your level of expertise, I'm not going to get into your tank conditions....but if you have any questions feel free to ask....

susitna-flower

I FORGOT......WELCOME TO FISHLORE! I really hope we can help out.....


OK, I read your tank profile....THE very first thing you have to do is test your tank water....You stated you don't know about the nitrogen cycle.....PLEASE read up on this....we have a very detailed article you can access by going to the top of this page under "ARTICLES". click on the link to the nitrogen cycle.

To keep track of your water conditions in your tank, you have to test your water....every week, and chart the results...This is the only way you will truly know how often and how much water to change.

Most here at fishlore suggest you use the API Master test kit for freshwater (liquid)...It gives all three of the major tests for keeping a healthy tank... Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate.....

You should have 0 for ammonia and nitrite in a completely cycled tank....the only time this would fluctuate if if you do extreme tank cleaning, or change filter material...always test after either.....

Nitrates are "safe" if under 20.....for most fish. Discus however need as I stated above PRISTINE water conditions between 5 & 10, NO HIGHER THAN 10, which with the tank stocked as you stated, I can assume might have high nitrates, that would definitely cause the condition your discus is experiencing.....You need to try to get those nitrates down, and the only way to do this is through lots of water changes.....every day as much as 2
x 25%! You will have to keep this up until the proper nitrate reading is achieved, then as often as necessary to maintain it.

If you haven't been testing for nitrates, it might shock you what the reading is...

What water changing schedule are you currently using? Do you vacuum your tank?

shortcut mary

Thank You very much! Husband's tank but I'm learning more each day. This has just happened this week. The picture isn't really clear but we're very concerned. We've done two water changes{40%} and a filter change{Fluval FX 5}
Have been trying to catch he/she to no avail.
I appreciate your help!
Mary

shortcut mary

Oops sorry! Didn't mean to check not knowing about the nitrogen cycle. I know husband checked nitrates, just don't know the results. I should have all the numbers before posting. Just really bummed about lil eddie.
I've been testing the water each day w/liquid tests.

susitna-flower

OH MY! A filter "change" at this point can really send your tank into a mini cycle.....which will really be hard....you will definitely need to keep an eye on the ammonia and nitrite levels now.

We suggest not "changing" filter material unless it is falling apart in rags! To clean it SWISH filter material in discarded tank water....the idea here is to improve function of the material without killing the bacteria that convert your ammonia and nitrite into nitrate.... Both ammonia and nitrite are HIGHLY TOXIC to your fish...any reading over 0 and you HAVE to use PRIME...and do at least 25% water changes every day until the bacteria colony has developed again.....

PRIME is a product by Seachem....it detoxifies ammonia and nitrite, and helps the fish's slime coat....another thing I would suggest for your tank at this point is using Vita chem....a vitamin for fish...

In the case of changing filter material....we suggest you just change approximately 1/4 of it at a time...This keeps a healthy colony of bacteria going at all times.

I really don't work for the fish product industry.... these are just suggestions of things that might help.....

shortcut mary

Thanks Again! Will print and show to my husband.

COBettaCouple

You might want to use Rid-Fungus for the fungal issues. It's herbal and organic and not harsh on their systems. We've found it to be very effective.

shortcut mary

Thank You COBettacouple...I appreciate your response.
Mary

I believe I have found the BEST Fish Forum on the web!!!

susitna-flower

Re-reading this post reminds me why you had that ammonia and nitrite spike yesterday.

You changed out filter media, on April 5th....you are really going to have to keep on top of the water changes until the bacteria is able to establish itself in the filter again.

Test your water every day, and any time the ammonia or nitrite are up over 0 you need to do a 25-50% water change.

How are your fish today?

shortcut mary

Everyone is doing well. Thanks for reminding me about the filter. Thanks for being patient w/me freaking out. I'm so mad at myself for not taking a more active role w/the Tank.
I'm reading/learning more each day.

COBettaCouple

Well, we've all freaked out sometime and we're all here to learn.

susitna-flower

Mary, how's your discus today? I know how touchy they can be and just wonder if the red is gone from his fin?