Sick Corydoras arcuatus - Household topicals?

Frisckey1 · Post by **Frisckey1** » 23 Jul 2003, 20:43

Hi there. I was just wondering if anyone knows if you can use household topical ointments to combat a severe bacterial infection in my cory?

Long story short, I got these 4 cories last thursday and so far 2 died of this bacterial infection and the other 1 that has it, got it in the tail and pretty much has no tail left. The bacteria is creeping upwards and I want to stop it quick. The history is that on Sunday I noticed (after having the 1st 2 cories die) that this sick one had the very faintest hint of fin rot on the tiniest tip of the tail. Since I had just done water change prior to adding the fish, I knew it wasn't my water but tested anyway...it was fine (see below). By monday evening his tail was gone and the dead tissue was covered in fungus. The progression of the bacteria is proceeded by a red vertical line and followed by an eveloping fungus. The maracyn treatments I added didn't even seem to touch it.

Here's the lowdown:
20 gallon QT tank, cycled. Amm/nitrite 0, nitrate less than 10ppms. KH 2 dkh, GH 5 dgh. Tank has been established for 2 years. Other occupants are another skunk cory, a betta, 1 platy and a bonus guppy fry I got with the cories. Started Monday with Maracyn II, Tues, added maracyn as well. Did 50% water change prior to adding 2nd dose of II and 1st dose of Maracyn. The fourth and final cory seems to have quickly recovered from what appeared to be the start of the same type infection. The two that died had classic septicemia appearances on the sides just behind the pectoral fins and slightly around the gills and under chin.

I need something more aggressive. It was suggested to me by someone that maybe I could try hydrogen peroxide or neosporin applied as a topical treatment.

I have a pic, but not sure how to post it?

Post by **Silurus** » 23 Jul 2003, 20:50

Why don't you try using an antibiotic (like tetracycline)?

Frisckey1 · Post by **Frisckey1** » 23 Jul 2003, 21:05

I thought about it, and I may very well. but I wonder will it act fast enough? I was 1st attempting not to destroy my bio filter, but have decided not to worry about it and have seeded a new filter on another tank for use after the treatments. The other 2 that died, died within 24 hours of showing any symptoms whatsoever...when I bought them they were some fine looking specimens, happy, fins high, schooling, active, eating. Then bam!

Would it be OK to use tetracycline in conjunction with maracyn and maracyn 2? I would think an overload of meds, plus the other fish in the tank aren't in there cuz there sick, they are awaiting transfer to my 125 gallon tank (except for the betta who didn't do so well in that tank and was moved from it). I don't wanna move them to the bigger tank now, especially, since they could now harbor this bacteria. I have 1 tank left I could use (a 1 gallon), but don't have a heater to use in something that small and its so hard to measure meds in that small a quantity. I am usually a water change girl, and rarely medicate. This will be the first time in almost 2 years, but I really wanna at least TRY and save this fish. I've sorta been waiting for them to come in at the store...

You think its a bad idea to even try it?

Post by **Silurus** » 23 Jul 2003, 23:20

I would use antibiotics alone...no telling what kind of a chemical reaction is going to happen with a medication cocktail (might produce some toxic by-products that would kill the fish). If the antibiotics don't work, chances are nothing else would.

Post by **Coryman** » 23 Jul 2003, 23:57

Frisckey1

I have recently had similar problems with a tank of C. pulcher . Two fish out of a group of seven were lying on their side panting and with the tell tail red blotcched around the gills, on the belly and barbels. My imediate thoughts were that they were as good as dead. They were not newley aquired fish, I have had them for about two years.

The firsh thing that came to mind was to change 75% of the water, which I did. What to treat them with was another story, I don't have many problems with diseases and therefore don't carry much in the way of treatments, but the weekend before I was at fish convention and won a bottle of Melafix in the raffle, after reading its anti bacterial claims on the label I gave it a try and administered the recomended dose. The first thing that happened was the water stared fo foam a little and I was worried that this would deplete the oxygen level in the water, so I installed an air stone and turned it up so that the water was quite turulent. All this time the other four fish in the group stayed in the oposite corner of the tank. The following morning all six fish were at the front of the tank eagerly waiting their food and it was impossible to tell which were the sick fish.

I have since treated a male L136a for severe fin damage after a fight when another male stripped away most of it dorsal and caudal fins. All are growing back just fine now.

Ian

Frisckey1 · Post by **Frisckey1** » 24 Jul 2003, 01:12

For your thoughts. I got home tonight and he's still alive! Wow...its a surprise.

I already began the maracyn/maracyn II (antibiotic) treatment so I don't want to mix anything else right now.

I decided to go ahead and try the peroxide. I carefully netted him, suspended him above the tank water and dripped peroxide onto the (now almost completely missing) tail, then lowered and released him. The red line looks a bit faded today...and he's been active, so maybe its a sign. Still breathing very rapidly.

The fungus is up to that (forgive my anatomy knowledge or lack thereof) fin between the dorsal and the tail fin. That fin still remains but is approaching demise as well. Just below that fin is where his body stops and fungus begins. The tail is hanging on by only a thread (if you saw the pic, you'd know I mean literally).

I did a 20-25% water change and added the new meds. Wish me luck. I really want to stop the progression before it hits an organ. The meds are too slow acting...I may repeat the peroxide treatment in the morning if he makes it thru the night.

Thanks so very much for your input! I'm not much of a medicater myself...when I see a possible issue, I change water, change water change water...and its always worked. This time, they came tome with internal bacterial infection so there was no stopping it. I lost 2, but I darned sure gonna try to save the other two!

Allivymar · Post by **Allivymar** » 25 Jul 2003, 06:44

I couldnt quite figure out if you have one, but if you aren't using/don't have one, may I recommend a small QT tank for such just occasions? You can keep new purchases in there for observation for a few weeks without threatening the health of the other fish, and can treat to your heart's desire without mucking up the main tank's biological filter. Walmart carries cheap 10g glass tanks for around $10 if you don't want to use that small 1g. Keep an eye on your ammonia levels; the medications may do a job on your nitrifying bacteria.

Frisckey1 · Post by **Frisckey1** » 25 Jul 2003, 12:05

Thanks for your replies.

I do (did) have a 10 gallon QT tank, but ended up using for my mollies, and I needed a bigger QT tank for my 125 gallon tank. It costs a little more to medicate the 20, but I'm not concerned. I usually don't medicate at all. Anything I get in my tanks is usually due to a water change gone too long, and a simple water change fixes things.

Despite my valiant efforts he died last night. I thought for sure he was gonna make it. The peroxide treatment stopped the fungus altogether and the red completely disappeared. He was moving about and attempting to swim. I guess the stress was just too much on him. With no tail he couldn't swim to the top and he was front heavy. I guess sometimes no matter how hard you wanna play vet, its just not going to work.

Thanks for all the advice though. I still have one more that looks 100% better, so by the time the treatment is done, he outta make it just fine. I'll add him in with my spotted and peppered cories and hope he'll school with them.

Allivymar · Post by **Allivymar** » 25 Jul 2003, 14:23

Aw I'm sorry :(

You know, the past couple of weeks I've been reading (on diff forums) about these really nasty cases of what people are calling fin rot (I guess cause thats where it starts, although it progresses across the body as it has in your cases). I wonder if there's a more virulent version of the usual fin rot bacteria floating around out there (aeromonas, columnaris, etc).

I hear you about avoiding medicating. The only thing I've used in my tanks is water changes and the occasional dose of melafix for nipped fins (the angelfish sometimes need to test the pecking order I guess LOL). But its apparent thats not always enough.

Heh I hear you about the converted QT tank. Mine is currently housing a snail population for my clown loaches ;) Funny how they get pressed into service for other things. Do keep an eye on your 20's parameters; you never know what the meds will do to the bacterial colonies.

Sick Corydoras arcuatus - Household topicals?

Sick Corydoras arcuatus - Household topicals?

Thanks!