Proudmommy12

Someone please help!! We received some peacock cichlids yesterday from a breeder off Ebay, (has gotten all positive feedback), and one of them has a huge hole in the side of its' body!! It is a very deep hole, with little pieces of meat hanging around it. I didn't notice it until it was in the tank, and now I don't know what to do. Is this a disease my other fish can catch?? I've attached pics, sorry they're so big. HELP!

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sirdarksol

It's an ulcer of some sort. Could be caused by an infected cut or a fish version of a flesh-eating virus.
Maintain excellent water quality. Add vita-chem and garlicguard (if you can get it) to the water. I think this is a situation where Melafix would be helpful, but I've not used the stuff, so wait on that until someone more knowledgeable than me comes around.

Hope the poor little fish pulls through

COBettaCouple

Fish Protector could also be good for a daily addition to the water to help healing.

Try to find this product to apply to the wound/hole:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...2&pcatid=12102

I'd get some Triple Sulfa if you don't already have some and start treating with that if he shows any signs of getting worse.

aquariumnewbie

If it's a open wound, try using Melafix. It will speed up the recovery progress of the wound.

steveangela1

Melafix is great w/ cichlids.. I actually would even go as far as removing any carbon from the filter, and treating also w/ pimafix for the chance of a secondary fungal infection. I would do the treatment no less than 7 days, and if you do not see much improvement in 3-4 days get some maraciyn for it, make sure to get the lowest dose possible for a cichlid that is effective.

Allie

Melafix works wonders with Lake Malawi African cichlids. It's good to have some on hand at all times. Water changes and turning up the temp 4 degrees for 3-5 days does help, if you can't get the melafix right away. Any kind of scale protection additive would be good to add to their water on a regular basis. Keeps up their slime coat. Which make the scales heal faster.

Proudmommy12

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I'm going to get some melafix and try it. I hope the little guy will be ok!

aquariumnewbie

Good luck in treating your fish!