Rainbow Shark - Illness

HI there,

I just signed up on the forum. I was hoping someone would be able to help me with figuring out what's wrong with my rainbow shark. He has discoloration of his scales in patches, fins starting to thin and his spine appears to be bent. I took him out of the main tank as a precaution. He also isn't swimming right and appears lethargic

 

HI there,

I just signed up on the forum. I was hoping someone would be able to help me with figuring out what's wrong with my rainbow shark. He has discoloration of his scales in patches, fins starting to thin and his spine appears to be bent. I took him out of the main tank as a precaution. He also isn't swimming right and appears lethargic

What tank size was he in, what were the water parameters? Welcome to fishlore

 

He was in a 75 gal
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 40
Nitrite 0
GH 120
KH 40
pH 7

 

He was in a 75 gal
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 40
Nitrite 0
GH 120
KH 40
pH 7

40 ppm nitrates is too high, what have you been feeding him?

 

Its back looks unusually curved to me, that might be causing problems too

 

I feed him bloodworms

 

Its back looks unusually curved to me, that might be causing problems too

Usually that is because the tank is too small, but hers is plenty large enough for him. I don’t know what could be wrong. Maybe try feeding him some algae wafers, as they are mostly herbivores

 

Usually that is because the tank is too small, but hers is plenty large enough for him. I don’t know what could be wrong. Maybe try feeding him some algae wafers, as they are mostly herbivores

Thank you. I have tried that in the past and also put in algae waves for my plecos that suggests the tank but he doesn't like them. Bloodworms is all ive been ever able to get him to eat

 

Thank you. I have tried that in the past and also put in algae waves for my plecos that suggests the tank but he doesn't like them. Bloodworms is all ive been ever able to get him to eat

Try feeding him bloodworms mixed in with algae wafers, and slowly feed him less blood worms and more algae wafers. That should ween him away from the worms

 

It's good you took the shark out of the tank. He is exhibiting symptoms of an advanced bacteria infection. The white patches are likely dead tissue, killed by bacteria. The bent spine also strongly indicates later stages of an intestinal bacteria infection.
Since you have the shark separated you might try an antibiotic.

 

Thank you for your input. Do you have an antibiotic you should recommend? Ive only ever treated fin rot. Never had an issue like this.

 

I think the most recommended meds are Kanaplex & Furan 2.
I hope he gets better soon.

 

I think the most recommended meds are Kanaplex & Furan 2.
I hope he gets better soon.

Thanks so much for your help!