MOLLY_Saprolegnia + Bacterial Issue?

[1mysterygirl]

Hi guys👋🏼

Carl help me successfully treat this molly for Columnaris last year and she's been great til now.

This trouble started with a small patch of SAPROLEGNIA (soft grey + filaments) at the base of her left pectoral fin. (Also noticed inside of gills looked very white, not sure if normal).

I've just done a course (x3days) of POLYGUARD + 2x a day METH. BLUE BATHS + SWABS. That's much better, but I noticed swelling @ the base of the fin and her right eye is enlarged and a bit hazy. I'm thinking I should switch to KANAMYCIN for internal bacterial and popeye, but would really appreciate any thoughts you might have on this...

QT TANK:
5g with main tank water + (1tsp:1gal) SALT
GH-10, KH-8 (supplemented); PH8.2

TREATMENT SO FAR:
3 days POLYGUARD (1 full course)
[25% WC after 2 days]
2x a day METH BLUE BATH + SWAB (double dose per Carl)

SHE IS: Resting @ bottom, breathing is rapid, not eating all this time... more sedentary seemingly weaker at this time...

VID#1- after first treatment (sap. patch got very white before disappearing)

VID#2- overhead view showing bump @ fin base + right eye enlarged
PIC- saprolegnia improved at fin base after treatment
VID#3- Now.. (whiteness under lip not apparent in real)

EDIT: Ohhh, it looks like I can't add pics anymore..? If not, hopefully you can get enough from my above info....

As its now 24 hrs since last dose and time to filter out the meds, I'll proceed with that and hope you'll get this and be able to help with next steps.
Thank you so much guys...

[Carl]

I would consider using EyeFungex for the eye issues:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/store/p278/AAP_Aquatronics_Eye_Fungex.html

Switching to Kanaplex may help, so it might be worth a try.

Also change water and make sure all parameters are optimized. I suggest a higher level of AAP Regular Wonder Shells too at this time.

As for pictures, you might try hosting in Google or elsewhere then post the link.

[1mysterygirl]

Thank you Carl! 🙏🏻

I've given her a full WC to main tank water to ensure meds are out, and added 1:1 SALT and wonder shell.

Given the urgency and that I really believe the issue is more than just the eye (swelling behind fin, rapid breathing, not eating, still some hint of greyishness @fin and also mouth/in gill thats unclear), I think I'll start her on KANAPLEX as you felt its a reasonable bet.

Still working on getting pics loaded somewhere...

Thank you so much and I'll update when theres any news 😉

[1mysterygirl]

UPDATE TUESDAY JULY 18 + VIDEOS,PICS



After the one full course of POLYGUARD (+methylene blue baths+swabs) that did help with the saprolegnia, I switched July 17 to KANAPLEX for better bacterial coverage because she developed Popeye and a growing swelling behind the affected fin.

She is now just resting on the bottom, breathing rapid but weaker.. still not eating.

TANK: Got 100% wc to main tank water + 1 tsp SALT/1gal water, minerals.

Levels now: GH=12, KH=9, No3=5ppm

PH=? Pls see pic of water test

QUESTION:I've never seen this colour.. normally tap water = 7.8, lately has shot up to 8.2.. is this even higher??? Not sure how to read this or know is it okay?

LINK TO PICS:
photos.app.goo.gl/dCmBZgL2CvdnM1Fs7

I see that no titles are showing on the pics, so.. July 15, 16 vid + pic are while on Polyguard.. saprolegnia once soft grey turned to white before disappearing... Later pics are once switched to Kanaplex... hints of saprolegnia still (treating with meth blue baths/swabs), eye size better, big concern now the swelling behind the fin, unclear what that is.

Hope this helps, and any insights, thoughts greatly appreciated.

[Carl]

The main and most serious issue I see is that the gills themselves appear to be covered in fungus or bacterial film (basically like if our lungs were filled), so this poor guy is struggling just to resperate.

I think your best hope is continued MB baths and direct swabs to the gill area.

As for pH, this is rather unusual, I would test your tap water too.
You GH could be a little higher for mollies

[1mysterygirl]

Thanks again Carl.

Makes sense because she's had rapid breathing from the start.

Though I'm not clear on what 'film' you're referring to. Is it the white at the fin and IN the gill in the early video? (as mentioned, this did clear up)

She's been getting 2x day meth blue baths+ swabs.

*** I didn't know you could swab right on the gill, thought that had to be avoided.....?

Re PH.. I did mention in last note my tap water is typically 7.8 but now testing at 8.2
--> Is this test indicating 8.5++? And if so, what
could cause that? Theres been an air stone in the tank (b I wouldn't expect that from this). I re-tested 2 times.

[Carl]

Jul 19, 2023 8:23:23 GMT -5 1mysterygirl said:

Though I'm not clear on what 'film' you're referring to. Is it the white at the fin and IN the gill in the early video? (as mentioned, this did clear up)

She's been getting 2x day meth blue baths+ swabs.

Yes, but I missed that this has cleared up.
This said, there still likely is lasting damage, as this looked quite serious

*** I didn't know you could swab right on the gill, thought that had to be avoided.....?

This can be hard on a fish and with potassium permanganate, this would kill the fish, however with methylene blue, this is doable

Re PH.. I did mention in last note my tap water is typically 7.8 but now testing at 8.2
--> Is this test indicating 8.5++? And if so, what
could cause that? Theres been an air stone in the tank (b I wouldn't expect that from this). I re-tested 2 times.

This likely is from gassing out in the tap water
see this article:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/chemistry.html

I meant to ask for both tap and tank KH, as I also suspect this too has climbed in the tap

[1mysterygirl]

Thanks for clarifying those things Carl.

I'll test the tap KH as well. Im familiar with gassing off but didn't think it could effect THAT much of a hike. I'll read though. thanks.

The white matter/film. It was odd that at first the only sign was a small patch of soft grey saprolegnia at the base of the fin. The white effect didn't happen til I started the POLYGUARD, then it became just dark grey. I get what you're saying though...

Its really all academic now as she passed today.

Very surprised I wasn't able to bring her through that.. which seemed like a minor issue, after she came through treatment for Columnaris last year like a warrior.. 3 rounds of kanamycin+ furan followed by 2weeks of 2.5 tsp/gal salt. AND she delivered 80 banies in the middle of that! The Polyguard did seem hard on her.

Dealing with fungus is so frustrating; this is far from the first Ive lost to it, trying a range of treatments. And it seems to kill them fast. I'm wondering if its possible to treat just with salt and water changes.

Anyway thank you for all your input and effort to help, Carl.

[1mysterygirl]

RE: TAP WATER PH/KH

Now KH = 5, very typical for here
PH = 8.1 / 8.2, normally 7.8

The molly's display tank is all livebearers and used to have mystery snails. Normal tap levels would be GH8, KH5, PH 7.8 and I'd supplement weekly to GH14, KH8/9, PH8.1-8.2

Lately with no snails I let it sit at GH11/12 , so thats what the QT TANK was started with.

As mentioned I did add a bubbler.. felt she needed it..

[stmichelle]

Jul 20, 2023 12:04:16 GMT -5 1mysterygirl said:

RE: TAP WATER PH/KH

Now KH = 5, very typical for here
PH = 8.1 / 8.2, normally 7.8

The molly's display tank is all livebearers and used to have mystery snails. Normal tap levels would be GH8, KH5, PH 7.8 and I'd supplement weekly to GH14, KH8/9, PH8.1-8.2

Lately with no snails I let it sit at GH11/12 , so thats what the QT TANK was started with.

As mentioned I did add a bubbler.. felt she needed it..

Hello, this is Michelle checking in. How has your fish been since Carl last spoke to you?

[1mysterygirl]

Hello, this is Michelle checking in. How has your fish been since Carl last spoke to you?

I commented since Carl last replied and did say she passed.

[stmichelle]

Aug 9, 2023 0:58:42 GMT -5 1mysterygirl said:

Hello, this is Michelle checking in. How has your fish been since Carl last spoke to you?

I commented since Carl last replied and did say she passed.

Apologies, I missed that. I'm so sorry for your loss. You did everything you could for her. I wish you the best.