[Possible Anchor Worm]

On 3/21/2022 at 5:10 PM, Colu said:

I wouldn't recommend mixing that many medication what I would do is  water changes and add active carbon for 24hr  to remover the other medications before treating for anchor worms

Thanks, appreciate it 🙂

[Possible Anchor Worm]

On 3/21/2022 at 11:03 AM, Colu said:

It's difficult to tell off that picture if it's anchor worms he some information increase you need to treat

Thanks for the reply. It is my understanding that Microbe-lift lice & anchor worm has the same active ingredient as Hikari CyroPro. Do you know of it can be dosed with Kanaplex, Ich-X and Fitz ParaCleanse, as those are currently in the tank. 

I do also have Jungle Clear Water which contains Potassium Permanganate but am concerned about using it in a bath since it shouldn't be used with other medications and the water in quarantine tank does currently contain medication. 

[Fish Meds Combo question]

On 3/15/2022 at 7:48 PM, SunniSki said:

I actually ordered some test strips today. 😊  I did previously have Cory’s and the white clouds flashing which I know are egg layers.  I’m going to just “watch” them for now and I should get the test strips tomorrow.  Today I added in some more of those calcium rocks that are supposed to help Shrimp and Snails.  
 

Now that I mentioned my snail, I noticed it has some holes that have started and the tip of its shell either dissolved away or chipped away, not completely but now the end is transparent . Scares me since I feel it may crack open at any time.  I would assume this is due to lack of minerals.

In my experience, the API test strips weren't accurate for Nitrite, Nitrate or Ammonia. Those only showed up on the test strips if they were very high so I used the liquid tests when testing for those three.

[Maracyn alternative brand or product]

In short, API EM Erythromycin has the same active ingredient as Fitiz Maracyn. I also agree with Colu that it is best to set up a separate hospital/quarantine tank. 

If the cottony growth is on living flesh and appears as flat, fuzzy/velvety white patches, it could actually be a bacterial infection, such as Columnaris. Columnaris is very contagious and the sick fish should be quarantined ASAP if you think this is what it has. The best treatment for Columnaris is a combination of both Nitrofurazone (Jungle Fungus Clear) & Kanamycin (Kanaplex).

Typically fungus/mold (such as Saprolegnia) tends to grow on dead or dying flesh and will be fuzzy and stick out well beyond the skin. Fungus can be treated with Ich-X.

If you suspect fungus, look at everything in your tank and see if it is growing anywhere else, such as on plants, filter, uneaten food. If you find it in the tank, steps should be taken to remove the items that have fungus on them from the tank and disinfect them with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide (bleach won't kill it).

A cautionary tale, I once had Saprolegnia in my tank and, after siphoning the gravel, a weak fish that had his fin nipped by another fish quickly had Saprolegnia all over his tail where the previously unseen injury was. 

Saprolegnia (fungus/mold) infections are often secondary to a primary bacterial infection, so in that case you would want to treat for both fungus and bacterial infection.

[Possible Anchor Worm]

I purchased a few female dwarf gouramis about 3 weeks ago and placed them in quarantine. I am treating with Kanaplex, Ich-X and Fitz ParaCleanse in addition to aquarium salt (about 1 tbsp/ 3 gal). I noticed one of the fish had 2 small white "threads" coming from her gills and moved her to her own hospital tank the other day.

Initially she was displaying pretty normal behavior although skin near gills is red and when she comes up for air, she is staying longer than normal. I didn't dose the tank with meds immediately (just salt) and she started to swim sideways after about 8 hours. I immediately added ParaCleanse and Kanaplex. Within an hour or so of adding meds she started swimming normally again. It also looks like 1 of the 2 threads may now be gone now but it is hard to tell for sure. Next day I also dosed with Ich-X. 

What are your thoughts, is it Anchor Worm? I have Microbe-lift lice & anchor worm, is it safe to add that to the tank with the med trio? Thanks!

This is the best pic I could get, it was when I saw 2 "threads". 

Water Parameters:

• pH - 7.8
• Nitrates - 0 (just set up hospital tank)
• Hardness - 120
• Nitrite - 0
• Ammonia - 0
• KH/Buffer - 180
• Water Temperature -  78

Edit: Added second pic that shows side view with redness near gills and info about staying at the surface longer for air.