Help Ghost Knife Sick / Dying I Dont Know What To Do

Iv had an undetectable disease in 2 of my three tanks now for some time loose a fish every month or so ....
2 year old tank
no new fish in a year or so because they where beginning to die off .
Replaced stereo typical aquarium gravel with fluamax because I want to bring more plants from my other tanks in there but the plecos rip them to shreds.
lost a large Dino , angle fish, loach and a beta. one every few months.
ghost knife is getting sick and have been trying to correct this by adding melafix then Paraguard then polyguard then now MARDEL MARACYN.
I just put him in a hospital tank because iv never seen this before in I don't want to loose, him one of my oldest and favorite.
what you see below didn't happen till I added the polygaurd and it was supposed to be a 2 week treatment and I had to stop after the 3 dose because he went so south so fast I believe this is a result of something in the meds ?

 

Can you provide some background to help the members here best answer your question?

Tank sizes, filtration, and parameters. Full stock list of each tank. Symptoms in the affected fish.

 

Oh wow, those are two really nasty wounds, any idea how they happened? Looks like the top one has a fungal growth on it. Did the other fish you lost over the past months have similar wounds?
This guy looks like it's been attacked by something or has damaged itself on something sharp anything in your tank that could do that? I'd stick with the Melafix, what temp do you have the tank at? If not high you could try cranking it up to 80 the high temp will help stimulate the ghost's immune system & will also help kill off any nasties in the wound. The only other things I can suggest would be to dose the tank up with some aquarium salt or treat the wounds directly with Iodine.

 

Poor fish- those wounds look like something has been eating him.

Do you think those wounds are the results of the disease directly, or did the other fish in the tank began pecking him because he was weak? I'm not sure if there's much hope for him. While I definitely think he's got a fungal infection, it may be secondary and you might try an antibiotic like Kanaplex. It penetrates tissue well, and also helps against fungus.

As for the mystery disease the first thing to suspect is water quality. If it's an established tank I assume it's cycled, but it never hurts to check. What are the parameters for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate? How often do you do partial water changes and how much? What were the symptoms the other fish exhibited before they died?

 

Iv had an undetectable disease in 2 of my three tanks now for some time loose a fish every month or so ....
2 year old tank
no new fish in a year or so because they where beginning to die off .
Replaced stereo typical aquarium gravel with fluamax because I want to bring more plants from my other tanks in there but the plecos rip them to shreds.
lost a large Dino , angle fish, loach and a beta. one every few months.
ghost knife is getting sick and have been trying to correct this by adding melafix then Paraguard then polyguard then now MARDEL MARACYN.
I just put him in a hospital tank because iv never seen this before in I don't want to loose, him one of my oldest and favorite.
what you see below didn't happen till I added the polygaurd and it was supposed to be a 2 week treatment and I had to stop after the 3 dose because he went so south so fast I believe this is a result of something in the meds ?
View attachment 385887

Tank is 150 Gallons with a fluval F6 filter. the below was after a water change about 80 gallons or so conditioned with with stress coat

None of the other fish have had this I always thought it was just fin rot then would turn to dropsy and then loss of bladder control then they would finely die.
he had the wound on the top of his back and it was weird it started as pealing skin just as if you would get sun burn but instead it fell off as one piece it looked like a piece of paper towel floating around. that night was the 3rd dose of the polyguard and that next morning the one on his back was huge and bloody I believe my clown loach was responsible but I never see him hes always in the house with the ghost knife I would have always thought they where buds.
so after that night I put him in a hospital tank, the sharpest item in the tank is a air stone in the corner he would have to work very hard to get his body to rub against it. other thank that it is anempty tank. with a small hang on filter for now.

Oh wow, those are two really nasty wounds, any idea how they happened? Looks like the top one has a fungal growth on it. Did the other fish you lost over the past months have similar wounds?
This guy looks like it's been attacked by something or has damaged itself on something sharp anything in your tank that could do that? I'd stick with the Melafix, what temp do you have the tank at? If not high you could try cranking it up to 80 the high temp will help stimulate the ghost's immune system & will also help kill off any nasties in the wound. The only other things I can suggest would be to dose the tank up with some aquarium salt or treat the wounds directly with Iodine.

how would I use iodine on a fish ? seems difficult and after the 5 days of the MARDEL MARACYN I will just use the melafix.

 

HI there. Your water quality definitely looks to be an issue. You have ammonia and high nitrates. Both of which you need to address. The best way is to do that is massive water changes. The high ammonia indicates some waste issues. Indicating over-feeding, overstocking, undercleaning or a combination of all 3.

Your goal is 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and nitrates below 20. Water changes will at least get you on your way. I would do a 75% water change right away, then retest your tank. You may need to do a second 50% water change if your values haven’t dropped like they should. Also do the best cleaning job you have ever done. Move decor, vacuum under everything.

Definitely add Seachem Prime to your arsenal. It is a great dechlorinator, but also detoxifies ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates up to 1ppm for 24-48 hours. Long term exposure to ammonia, will cause deaths that seem mysterious. It will also lower immune systems so infections will develop. What you are describing sounds like the effects of long term ammonia exposure. Almost all the classic signs actually. So getting your nitrogen cycle back on track has got to be your top priority.

As far as the knife fish, it looks like you may have some columnaris starting. Although, with such a big wound, it could just be the tissue that I am seeing. I would definitely keep in quarantine. Then use nitrofurazone and kanamycin both together. Nitrofurazone is found in API Furan-2 or Jungle Fungus Clear Fizz tabs. Kanamycin is found in Seachem Kanaplex. You will use both at the same time. It will require 2-3 rounds of meds. So be sure to get enough meds to treat for a total of 7-10 days. At the end of the 2nd round of meds, re-evaluate. If the fish is better, you should be able to stop meds at that point. But keep in quarantine until your cycle is back on track in your tank.

I wouldn’t use melafix. It is a homeopathic oil, and your fish is well beyond homeopathic options. I would stop the maracyn and do the antibiotics I suggested above. They will work much more efficiently.

Hope this helps.

 

HI there. Your water quality definitely looks to be an issue. You have ammonia and high nitrates. Both of which you need to address. The best way is to do that is massive water changes. The high ammonia indicates some waste issues. Indicating over-feeding, overstocking, undercleaning or a combination of all 3.

Your goal is 0 Ammonia, 0 Nitrites, and nitrates below 20. Water changes will at least get you on your way. I would do a 75% water change right away, then retest your tank. You may need to do a second 50% water change if your values haven’t dropped like they should. Also do the best cleaning job you have ever done. Move decor, vacuum under everything.

Definitely add Seachem Prime to your arsenal. It is a great dechlorinator, but also detoxifies ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates up to 1ppm for 24-48 hours. Long term exposure to ammonia, will cause deaths that seem mysterious. It will also lower immune systems so infections will develop. What you are describing sounds like the effects of long term ammonia exposure. Almost all the classic signs actually. So getting your nitrogen cycle back on track has got to be your top priority.

As far as the knife fish, it looks like you may have some columnaris starting. Although, with such a big wound, it could just be the tissue that I am seeing. I would definitely keep in quarantine. Then use nitrofurazone and kanamycin both together. Nitrofurazone is found in API Furan-2 or Jungle Fungus Clear Fizz tabs. Kanamycin is found in Seachem Kanaplex. You will use both at the same time. It will require 2-3 rounds of meds. So be sure to get enough meds to treat for a total of 7-10 days. At the end of the 2nd round of meds, re-evaluate. If the fish is better, you should be able to stop meds at that point. But keep in quarantine until your cycle is back on track in your tank.

I wouldn’t use melafix. It is a homeopathic oil, and your fish is well beyond homeopathic options. I would stop the maracyn and do the antibiotics I suggested above. They will work much more efficiently.

Hope this helps.

xABDx - You can't get better advice than this.

 

I wouldn’t use melafix. It is a homeopathic oil, and your fish is well beyond homeopathic options. I would stop the maracyn and do the antibiotics I suggested above. They will work much more efficiently.
Hope this helps.

Melafix isn’t homepathic (i.e. it’s not an incredibly dilute substance causing the same symptoms as it’s trying to cure.) It’s just a fairly ineffective herbal thing.

 

Melafix isn’t homepathic (i.e. it’s not an incredibly dilute substance causing the same symptoms as it’s trying to cure.) It’s just a fairly ineffective herbal thing.

I guess I don’t know the difference between homeopathic versus herbal. I kind of thought it was the same thing.

Melafix is melaleuca oil. So it isn’t an actual medication, which was the point.

 

I guess I don’t know the difference between homeopathic versus herbal. I kind of thought it was the same thing.

Melafix is melaleuca oil. So it isn’t an actual medication, which was the point.

I thought that myself. Learn something new every day I guess

 

[how would I use iodine on a fish ? seems difficult and after the 5 days of the MARDEL MARACYN I will just use the melafix.[/QUOTE].

To use iodine you need to catch the fish & apply it directly to the wound with a cotton bud, it's a bit stressful but if done quickly it can be effective, however I'd go with Allie's advice above It'll give your ghost the best chance of survival.

 

If you want to do a topical treatment in addition to the antibiotics you can. I would use methylene blue instead of iodine. You can either apply it gently with a qtip to the wound, or you can do a methylene blue bath. Either way would work.

Don’t add the MB directly to the tank though. Do a separate container and dip/bathe the fish in the mixture.

 

Update: tonight was the last night of the MARDEL MARACYN seems to be semI affected as for large pieces of the fungus where falling off but there is some still present it seems to be growing back in a day or two . I have already purchased methylene blue and Seachem Kanaplex. but there was a really large size of API Furan-2 for 90$ and its 3000+ Gallons of dosing. If it is effective as you say it will be I may just dose all of my tanks to be sure its not lying dormant in another tank. As for the Water Test Shown Above that was of the city water ... I have most of my Issues stand out right after a water change .... I Live In Long Beach Ca if any one is familiar with the water quality here . I have had tanks for a wile and I haven't really changed any of my methods with water changing or normal maintenance and this has kinda came out of the blue to me. I have begun to do water changes with Prime and I am looking into was to transport 150 Gallons of distilled water from the store to perform water changes. I will update again shortly .... Thank You for everyone opinion and guidance it is deeply appreciated Thank you.

 

Just looking at the pic there of your ghost between two heaters, could it be burning itself & that's what's allowed the fungus to get in? Good luck anyway hope he makes it.

 

I am sorry I can't offer any help.
I just feel so bad for your fish. I hop he recovers

 

Update: tonight was the last night of the MARDEL MARACYN seems to be semI affected as for large pieces of the fungus where falling off but there is some still present it seems to be growing back in a day or two . I have already purchased methylene blue and Seachem Kanaplex. but there was a really large size of API Furan-2 for 90$ and its 3000+ Gallons of dosing. If it is effective as you say it will be I may just dose all of my tanks to be sure its not lying dormant in another tank. As for the Water Test Shown Above that was of the city water ... I have most of my Issues stand out right after a water change .... I Live In Long Beach Ca if any one is familiar with the water quality here . I have had tanks for a wile and I haven't really changed any of my methods with water changing or normal maintenance and this has kinda came out of the blue to me. I have begun to do water changes with Prime and I am looking into was to transport 150 Gallons of distilled water from the store to perform water changes. I will update again shortly .... Thank You for everyone opinion and guidance it is deeply appreciated Thank you.View attachment 386909 View attachment 386910

Why are you thinking about using distilled water? Distillation removes minerals necessary for fish. Unless there's a specific reason I'd continue to use tap water treated with Prime, and keep up with the medication.

 

Why are you thinking about using distilled water? Distillation removes minerals necessary for fish. Unless there's a specific reason I'd continue to use tap water treated with Prime, and keep up with the medication.

Agree... but will add, because I think the OP is saying their tap is bad..

To use distilled, you would have to remineralize the water before adding to the tank. Distillilation removes necessary minerals from the water, as said above. (seachem has products for this depending on whether you have a planted tank or not... I can advise further if needed, as there's a lot of products to sift through lol)

Or, you could use spring water. Just be sure to stick with the same brand, (brand or generic doesn't matter as long as it's the same), because depending on the source, parameters can vary a good deal. GH/KH/PH

 

Agree... but will add, because I think the OP is saying their tap is bad..

To use distilled, you would have to remineralize the water before adding to the tank. Distillilation removes necessary minerals from the water, as said above. (seachem has products for this depending on whether you have a planted tank or not... I can advise further if needed, as there's a lot of products to sift through lol)

Or, you could use spring water. Just be sure to stick with the same brand, (brand or generic doesn't matter as long as it's the same), because depending on the source, parameters can vary a good deal. GH/KH/PH

I think it would be a better idea to use spring water than to try to remineralize distilled, if for no other reason than to save a step- assuming the spring isn't the same one supplying the bad tap water .

 

I think it would be a better idea to use spring water than to try to remineralize distilled, if for no other reason than to save a step- assuming the spring isn't the same one supplying the bad tap water .

Lol, true. But just wanted to supply the info! In case distilled was the only thing the OP could get in large quantities... I don't know? Never had to source large quantities of water, fortunately!!

 

Thank you all for all the suggestions I will be picking up a few gallons of spring water and doing a few water changes on the hospital tank with is and see if a can begin to bring back normal water quality. as for the heater, his old tank had 3 and one that seemed to be always on to keep the temp up never seen him hear them before and as for when the shot was taken he has a 4" black ABS pipe buried in the tank and the heater just so happens to be at that end of the tube but don't really see him up agents it ever. As for food iv just went out and bought a new pack of frozen Blood worms and 3 days ago he was just letting them float around the tank now he seems to not leave his tube but devours every one that floats past. This is looking good for him I have never been this confident with any of the other fish that got this sick before ... I will be posting another pic tomarro to show progress will I wait for meds in the mail .

I will be doing a salt bath, then a dip in methylene blue. And then in Furan-2
then placing him back in the hospital tank treated with with Seachem Kanaplex. and will seehow that goes

 

make sure if you use carbon in your filters you remove it before treating the tank as carbon will remove the meds from the water column.

 

Thank you all for all the suggestions I will be picking up a few gallons of spring water and doing a few water changes on the hospital tank with is and see if a can begin to bring back normal water quality. as for the heater, his old tank had 3 and one that seemed to be always on to keep the temp up never seen him hear them before and as for when the shot was taken he has a 4" black ABS pipe buried in the tank and the heater just so happens to be at that end of the tube but don't really see him up agents it ever. As for food iv just went out and bought a new pack of frozen Blood worms and 3 days ago he was just letting them float around the tank now he seems to not leave his tube but devours every one that floats past. This is looking good for him I have never been this confident with any of the other fish that got this sick before ... I will be posting another pic tomarro to show progress will I wait for meds in the mail .

I will be doing a salt bath, then a dip in methylene blue. And then in Furan-2
then placing him back in the hospital tank treated with with Seachem Kanaplex. and will seehow that goes

I think that is a great plan for treatment and water changes. He does look to be healing, the fact that it looks red and sort of beefy, is a good sign. Good blood flow will provide plenty of nutrients for healing. I would be worried if it was pale, or white. I can tell it has already done some healing. Good work. Keep going, at this point I think he will survive this.