Angelfish sickness

[christine]

Hello,

I have been having an ongoing problem for months with my Angelfish and it is only infecting them/cichlids.    It first started with an infectious disease and symptoms were fish eatting well but would get skinny - But it was at the top of the head region; top of the head would loose its roundess and slowly become like a knifes edge is the way to explain it.   Then in time it would be overall bodythiness.   It then spread to my 2nd tank and I lost 6 adult Angels and my beloved Severum.  But no other fish infected which had me scratching my head.   Upon research I was leaning toward possible TB but it just infected the Cichlids.   I ended up culling the obvious infected angels and fed a super antibiotic which was metronidazole, nitrofurazone and kanamycin - trio flake.   Before I fed that I tried Paracide X flake and also did a combo of metro/prazi flake.    I took care of that problem this past year, but I still am having issues with something else with Angels.    

Symtoms are pinpoint holes in gill plate and I have seen some larger ones behind the gill plate in front of the pectoral fin.   This has been going on for awhile now too and loosing Angels.   I am also seeing rabid breathing.   I have lost 3 Angels recently and have 2 right now with rapid breathing.   Possible gill flukes?  Something is chewing on them.  Not sure if a bacterial infection would cause this.  But its only affecting angels/cichlids.    

 Any insite would be appreciated.  Thanks in advance.

[devonjohnsgard]

I would be interested in your KH & GH reading. There may be a swinging pH harming the fishes immunity or a osmoregulation issue due to a low electrolyte reading.

Here's a good read
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2016/09/how-to-treat-sick-fish.html

[Carl]

There are parasitic and bacterial infections that affect just Cichlids, as well as a virus call "Angelfish Disease"

Knowing parameters too is important and adjusting if needed.

AAP Naladin or Pipzine might be a new treatment to try along with AAP Discomed fed in their fish food:

Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Aquatronics.html

Further Reading as per Angel Virus:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2010/03/angelfish-virus.html

Carl

[christine]

Jan 22, 2019 12:50:08 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

I would be interested in your KH & GH reading. There may be a swinging pH harming the fishes immunity or a osmoregulation issue due to a low electrolyte reading.

Here's a good read
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2016/09/how-to-treat-sick-fish.html


======================================================

Hi,  my source water which is tap is very soft - KH & GH is pretty much zero.  There is no filtering system to cause the water to be soft.    I live in Southeast Alaska.  

My tank is planted and I add Equilibrium.  

Current GH is 100-200 ppm (6 drops green) and KH is 0-50 ppm (2 drops yellow).  I use baking soda.  

[Carl]

What are your tap water GH/KH numbers?

Equilibrium is a good product, but I've found it does not fully address low mineral or RO water, nor doe it maintian mineral Cations

Further Reading:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumKH.html

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Redox_Potential.html

Carl

[christine]

Hi Carl,

KH 1 drop turns light yellow and GH 1 drop turns light green.

[Carl]

Feb 4, 2019 21:13:49 GMT -5 christine said:

Hi Carl,

KH 1 drop turns light yellow and GH 1 drop turns light green.

This is really soft.
I would consider SeaChem Replenish with each initial water change as well as a 1/4 "dose" of an AAP Wonder Shell

www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Seachem.html#replenish
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/MedicatedWonderShell.html

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Yes, need alkalinity and electrolyte minerals

[christine]

Hi,

I have only one Angelfish left now. This one seems to be doing good but that doesnt mean anything. How long should I wait to add another to test? Its been just a few weeks since I pulled out the last infected and I did treat the tank with one of the recommended antibiotics.


Or should I cull the remaining Angel? Because I know It can be a carrier.

[Carl]

Do you have a Category A or B UV Sterilizer?

If not I would wait a minimum of 6 weeks, then add Potassium Permanganate.
Also if not, I would suggest one

If you do, I would suggest treating the tank with Potassium Permanganate while turning the UV off for 48 hours, then add a new test fish

Carl

[christine]

I just have the 24w Green Killing Machine.

[devonjohnsgard]

Mar 12, 2019 20:03:52 GMT -5 christine said:

I just have the 24w Green Killing Machine.

I would make sure to replace the lamp at least every year to help that sterilizer. You have a good amount of watts for a sterilizer which helps, because the green machine has a wider chamber, which works against it a bit.

[Carl]

Mar 12, 2019 20:03:52 GMT -5 christine said:

I just have the 24w Green Killing Machine.

This is only a Category C UV Sterilizer (actually only a Clarifier)

This will do nothing for disease prevention, and very little to improve oxidative stress to help indirectly with disease prevention
Reference:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html

Also:
www.uvsterilizerreview.com/2010/12/internal-uv-sterilizer-filter-pump.html

I would highly suggest a real UV Sterilizer, not this discount product
Resource:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/UVSterilizers.html

Carl

[christine]

I corrected a problem this week. The canister wasn’t working efficiently due to a bad kink on the outflow hose. The tank was so dirty even though I was sucking up the mulm/debris weekly and I wondering why and now I know. What a huge difference in cleanliness and flow. Yah!

I added a dose of a Wonder Shell. I did get a UV Sterlizer from you as well but not an inline one. So on the road to recovery.

Thank you for your help.