Columnaris, Saprolegnia or Aeromonas? Polyguard? Kanaplex? P

[easywolf31]

I placed this Jewel Cichlid in a quarantine tank. He's in the later stages of this fungal or bacterial decease. I had an over crowded, over bullied 200-300 1 month old fry-juvenile tank of Jewels in a 55 gallon tank. I introduced 4 rabbit snails as well, 1 came from what seamed like an aquarium full of dead rabbit snails. It may or may not have came from them.



I found a few dead hidden fish completely or almost covered in fugus. Same as the one that grows in uneaten pellets sometimes. But the ones I placed in quarentine seem to have lost that fungal look and are covered mostly with scars and lesions where the body and tissue seem to dissolve?



I treated them a bit too late with Paraguard 3 days ago, doing it daily but ran out. I went to buy some but bought Polyguard which also has Malachite green but furan as well inside which might be good if they have columnaris as well. But from what I've read Kanaplex and Furan 2 is better for that bacterial disease. Yesterday was the first dose of Polyguard, now I have to wait 2 more days for the next dose.



Can anyone confirm this fungal/bacterial infection, what is it? Thx

[devonjohnsgard]

Aug 10, 2017 13:19:30 GMT -5 easywolf31 said:

I placed this Jewel Cichlid in a quarantine tank. He's in the later stages of this fungal or bacterial decease. I had an over crowded, over bullied 200-300 1 month old fry-juvenile tank of Jewels in a 55 gallon tank. I introduced 4 rabbit snails as well, 1 came from what seamed like an aquarium full of dead rabbit snails. It may or may not have came from them.



I found a few dead hidden fish completely or almost covered in fugus. Same as the one that grows in uneaten pellets sometimes. But the ones I placed in quarentine seem to have lost that fungal look and are covered mostly with scars and lesions where the body and tissue seem to dissolve?



I treated them a bit too late with Paraguard 3 days ago, doing it daily but ran out. I went to buy some but bought Polyguard which also has Malachite green but furan as well inside which might be good if they have columnaris as well. But from what I've read Kanaplex and Furan 2 is better for that bacterial disease. Yesterday was the first dose of Polyguard, now I have to wait 2 more days for the next dose.



Can anyone confirm this fungal/bacterial infection, what is it? Thx

Hi there. Welcome to the forum!

Sorry for the issue with your fish.

I can't see for sure what made him loose his tail, My guess would be aeromonas or columnaris, but now the tail is covered in fungus. Aeromonas and fungus are both bacterial related issues, so I would say for sure that is going on, as I can see the fungus. This would be from build up in the gravel or filters. Lack of electrolytes to keep immunity boosted and not using a UV. You would want to use a wide spread antibotic in tank treatment. Best would be in a hospital tank.

I would follow the treatment in this article
Aeromonas Treatment

I would also consider direct swab of Methylene Blue on the Fungus or you might need something stronger like deluded potassium permanganate.
More information here.
Baths and Swab

You will most likely need to be a swab and a bath, considering how serve the issue is.

I would also consider finding the stressor of what caused the issue if it was columaris, which is not bacterial, but stress induced. This could be poor parameters, poor food, not additional electrolytes, bullying, temp.

I recommend this article to read, as if you don't have all the stresses taken care of, no treatment will help.
How to Treat Sick Fish