Sick Fish :( (large balas)

[AJ277]

150 gal tank

nitrite 0.0
amonia 0.25
ph normal


well established tank - going on 5 years

regular water changes andfilter/media maintenence

never any real problems
no new fish added and no new conditions


7 large balas ( 8 to 10 inch)
5 giant danios
2 gloden barbs
2 scisser tails
5 buenos aeries tetras
2 iridecent sharks
1 gold fish

all adult sized fish
all have been in the tank many years..

recently had one bala with
blotchy discoloration -
bloody tint and loose scales (sticking out)
in nickle sized spots -
one on each side..

he got better over the course of the following week

no other fish were affected.


now about a month later -
i noticed 2 other balas with the same symptoms
and the original fish also has this again.

any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Menagerie]

bloody tint and loose scales (sticking out)

Does it look like there is blood under the skin? How did you first treat the tank?[/quote]

 

[AJ277]

Thanks for the reply !

yes it looks like blood under the skin -
just in the same area as the loose protuding scales

i treated the tank a bit ago with
*maracyn-two*

(during the first balas problem)

 

[AJ277]

but was unsure the meds really did anything....
as he waqs appearing better before the treatment anyway..

 

[AJ277]

the pet store thought septicemea,
possibly.

there is no discoloration in the fins however,,
just in the areas(nickle sized spots) with the loose scales..

 

[AJ277]

i should have included that the one bala acts a bit nervous,

but all have the same healthy appetite as always ,
and dont really seem affected ,,or lerthargic..

at least not yet ,

 

[AJ277]

noone with any further ideas?