Poorly tetras

[Clownplec586]

Hello. I'm UK-based and new to the forum but it looks great. I hope you can help me with a sudden outbreak.
One ember tetra has been looking bloated, swims in isolation and has one or two white lumps/protrusions.

Now I've noticed that a cardinal tetra has a very noticable white lump on its tail. I'm at a loss and welcome suggestions. Thank you. Videos of both ill fish in links here.

 

[Aiken Drum]

Please take a read through the "unhealthy fish" sticky and provide any information that isnt contained in your above posts.

Before posting about unhealthy fish, read this!

Answer these Qs to ensure we have as much information as possible about your ailing fish and its environment: 1~What type of fish is afflicted? In addition, please describe what is wrong with the fish to the best of your ability (i.e. cotton like growth, bloated, etc.). 2~What are your tank...

www.aquariumadvice.com

 

[Clownplec586]

AFFECTED cardinal tetra, ember tetra


Ammonia 0


Ph. 6.4


Carbonate Hardness 3


General hardness 8


Nitrate 0 or almost 0


Nitrite 0


100L Tank set up 2 years


Aqua One Moray filtration 70 LPH


FISH - Four ember tetra, Seven cardinal tetra, clown plec (most recent addition, last June)


No new additions decor wise


Food: micro granules, flake, pellets for plec, occasional frozen bloodworm or vegetables for plec (recently added cucumber and broccoli, removed any uneaten)

 

[Andy Sager]

Unfortunately, the Ember Tetra appears to have a combination of dropsy and internal parasites. (The white pimples are most likely internal worms trying to leave the fish. ) Dropsy occurs when the fish's ability to regulate the water in it's body is compromised and this is usually done by organ failure. So while the parasites could be treated, the dropsy appears to be too far gone and at that stage, treatment success is very, very low. My suggestion is to euthanize the Ember Tetra.
The Cardinal appears to have an infection at the tail. Because your pH is so low, the best treatment would be nitrofurazone or acriflavine based and the fish should be treated in a separate hospital tank. I lay out the proper way to set up a hospital tank in this thread ( post #2) : Quarantine tanks and Hospital tanks, are they really different?
Since I am not in the UK, I was unable to find which products available to you contain Nitrofurazone but I did find a product by NTLabs ( Aquarium Medicine - Anti-Ulcer & Finrot from NT Labs ) but there may be others. Hopefully our other members in your area can offer other suggestions.

Hope this helps

 

[Clownplec586]

Unfortunately, the Ember Tetra appears to have a combination of dropsy and internal parasites. (The white pimples are most likely internal worms trying to leave the fish. ) Dropsy occurs when the fish's ability to regulate the water in it's body and this is usually done by organ failure. So while the parasites could be treated, the dropsy appears to be too far gone and at that stage, treatment success is very, very low. My suggestion is to euthanize the Ember Tetra.
The Cardinal appears to have an infection at the tail. Because your pH is so low, the best treatment would be nitrofurazone or acriflavine based and the fish should be treated in a separate hospital tank. I lay out the proper way to set up a hospital tank in this thread ( post #2) : Quarantine tanks and Hospital tanks, are they really different?
Since I am not in the UK, I was unable to find which products available to you contain Nitrofurazone but I did find a product by NTLabs ( Aquarium Medicine - Anti-Ulcer & Finrot from NT Labs ) but there may be others. Hopefully our other members in your area can offer other suggestions.

Hope this helps

Thank you that's really helpful. I had suspected as much about the ember so yes, you have confirmed my fears and I think you're right: euthanasia is the kindest. The PH is always low in our area but I'll look for products containing Nitrofurazone. Much appreciated.

 

[Aiken Drum]

Products containing nitrofurazone are vets prescription only in the UK.

 

[Andy Sager]

Products containing nitrofurazone are vets prescription only in the UK.

Thanks Aiken. I guess that's why I couldn't find anything. Acriflavine would be the next best for over the counter for low pH water I guess.

 

[Aiken Drum]

You can get products containing acriflavine over the counter.

Waterlife Acriflavine is one such product. I really like waterlife products, unfortunately they are no longer operational but you might still find their products on the shelf and within their use by dates.

Esha 2000 doesnt list Acriflavine as an active ingredient but I believe it is in there. Esha Hexamita lists it as 0.2% concentration. And there are numerous pond products specifically marketed for koi that list 1% concentration.

I found out why Waterlifd stopped trading recently. Their premises was compulsory purchased for the Heathrow 3rd runway expansion, and they decided to take the money and close down rather than move to new premises. A shame because their medications was probably the best available here over the counter. Esha products would be my next go to.

 

[Andy Sager]

You can get products containing acriflavine over the counter.

Waterlife Acriflavine is one such product. I really like waterlife products, unfortunately they are no longer operational but you might still find their products on the shelf and within their use by dates.

Esha 2000 doesnt list Acriflavine as an active ingredient but I believe it is in there. Esha Hexamita lists it as 0.2% concentration. And there are numerous pond products specifically marketed for koi that list 1% concentration.

I found out why Waterlifd stopped trading recently. Their premises was compulsory purchased for the Heathrow 3rd runway expansion, and they decided to take the money and close down rather than move to new premises. A shame because their medications was probably the best available here over the counter. Esha products would be my next go to.

We had the same issue when Aquatronics went out of business. They had the best meds and even had sensitivity kits which I used. It was one of their meds that finally treated the Angelfish AIDS issue I had back in the 80s. Pet medicines are a tough business I guess. AAP products have tried to duplicate the Aquatronics combinations where possible. If nothing else, they have a very informative site about medications overall.