Old guppy with wound... What to do...

[Carl]

1. One concern is though it seems to be effective for a broader range of bacteria, it still mainly focuses on gram negative bacteria. As well, in your article, you recommended treated for a minimum of 10 days with 25% water changes after each dose.

Yes, this is correct, although often only 3 treatments are necessary.

As for being gram negative, that is exactly why I recommend this as I pointed out earlier in this thread your wound and previous treatment indicate gram negative.

2. As well taking taking much time, I am concerned that that many water changes may negatively affect my by changing water chemistry and affecting my fish. For example, my tap water is soft with a low PH and my fish's water is quite hard (thanks to buffers added). I am concerned that doing this may cause stress for the fish with continuously adding softer water and raising it.

Based ion your care and use of correct water additives this should be of little concern.

3. Lastly, I believe that treating with Triple Sulfa and a Paraguard combo would be very potent/strong if I am correct. I am nervous about stressing this fish and possibly causing more stress with this combo. I had read some otehr Triple Sulfa combos with otehr meds could be very strong. Is this the case for a Paraguard and Triple Sulfa combo as I suspect>

As well, I read that Triple Sufla works best in harder water. Are these concerns valid and is there any way around them?

The combination is strong and can cause stress, so this is a valid concern, however it matter of whether the fish' condition warrants this, which it may, but this is a decision you will need to make.

And yes Triple Sulfa works best in harder water, but with Guppies in particular and your specific tank conditions this is one of the reasons I though of Triple Sulfa in the first place

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for the prompt response Carl. I probably don't go for the stronger treatment due to the stress.

As of now, the fish doesn't seem to be getting a whole lot worse. Very late last night we was begging pretty well for food. This afternoon he is on one side of the tank (swimming not on the bottom) with his fins clamped. This guy seems to change with the day and his mood very quickly. I will keep you posted. For now (which could be a short time), I have decided to not treat and observe and see how the fish does. But it is great that I know my options.

Renee

[goldenpuon]

For another update on the guppy (I know, it ay be a little tiring by now), he is not getting any worse, is begging, and eating well. His chest stills is abnormally big and he has the wound (though I "think" it is healing). I'm not sure why he is doing better and am a bit confused by why he is stable when I thought he might die as a result of it. Needless to say, I am very thankful he is doing so well and hope it stays that way. It would be great to see him live another year (if he doesn't pass naturally or this doesnt't start getting worse).

Renee

[goldenpuon]

I am happy to say the guppy, French Fry is still alive and doing very well. It looks like the mark from the wound is still there but he is acting like nothing ever happened. He is his hyper, food-obsessed self.

I attribute his long life from being reared as a fry alone in a 4 gallon (no others fry to compete with or spread illness) and the past year he has been mostly alone a 5 gallon in ideal conditions. In the time between that, he was with 3 other guppies in a 5 gallon, but always well cared for. I hope for him to live to 4 (though I don't have his age down to the exact month for sure).

Renee

[Carl]

Your brimming with good fish news today Renee!

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I am. lol I was delayed in announcing it hence why it all came at once.