TFA101

I looked at my female marigold today and she had her fins clamped in. Something is wrong. When she turned around, the gravid spot within her looked like something had exploded and shes bleeding internally. There are also some blood-streaked parts of her frontal body just behind her head. She still eats a hearty meal, but I know this is nothing to be looked over

ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 20

pH: 7.0 and steady

1 marigold sword (female)
4 tux. platys (one adult, three 1.5 month olds, all female)
5 zebra danios
1 oto
1 clown pleco

There are no decorations that she could have cut herself on and all bleeding is internal.

capekate

Sorry to hear.... it sounds just awful! Poor thing... I do not know what is going on with her and so cant advise on what to do, but wish her the best anyway...

Dozey

This might be septicemia a bacterial disease. If it is it is generally caused from stress. Increase water changes and try treating it with Maracyn 2. Along with treating the bacteria try to figure out what might be causing the stress. Wrong size tank, another fish harassing the ill fish etc. and try to correct the condition. The condition will get worse very quickly so don’t delay treatment.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

EDIT
I should also mention that septicemia is highly infectious. So if you have quarantined this fish you should also treat the original tank mates as well.

agabr123

i agree, it certainly sounds like septicemia.

navyscuba

I'll go with Dozey on this one too.

TFA101

I read up on the disease and it says it cause internal hemorraging (like i see behind her head). But I also read that once it advances to the point where organs are damaged, theres no use in treating and the fish is now terminally ill. So do i really need to give up on her? I would hate to do that!

Dozey

The disease takes over very quickly. Unless caught very early diagnosis is not very good. The decision to treat or not is a choice you have to make. I’m sorry; I know it can be a very difficult decision to make.

Did your fish have tank mates at any time? If so they may need your attention more right more.

TFA101

this is happening now and shes still in the main tank with her tankmates who dont show ANY sign of the disease.

Shes the only one with the disease. I haven't any medicine and we can't make any trips downtown any time soon. Will i have to euthanize her? I dont want the other fish to be affected and she really looks bad.

Dozey

You really need to make every effort to treat your tank. This is a highly contagious disease that very quickly overwhelms fish. Although your other fish may not be showing any signs of it at this time things could change very quickly for them.

If one fish in your tank has this virus you are far safer to assume that the virus has spread. I first learned about this condition from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. More commonly referred to as VHS in fish this nasty virus is known to wipe out entire lake populations in a very short period of time.

Although humans can also contract septicemia it is not transmittable from fish to humans. So you do not need to worry about contacting it from either your ill fish or deceased fish.

TFA101

well, we can make a quick trip tomorrow, but what am i looking for. Maracyn 2 right?

Whats the dosage with this disease, and how long do i treat?

Dozey

My knowledge of septicemia is strictly research and not experience. So I am sorry to say that I can offer you little more then to follow Maracyn 2 treatment recommendations.

I can advise that Maracyn and Maracyn 2 treat different forms of bacterial viruses. And it is Maracyn 2 that you will need to treat septicemia.

agabr123

here are some links with more info on it and how to treat

http://www.nippyfish.net/septicemia.html
http://www.fish-disease.net/diseases/septicemia.php