Update on Lionhead Oranda

Question

After effects of tetra   Hello again! Thank you for answering my last question and I do apologize for the double post, I was attempting to get multiple opinions and no one else kindly answered.

My fish still lives, he seems to be better but I honestly can't really tell. The water is so red that I cannot visually tell if the wound on his side is any better. The directions say that this discoloration will go away as the filter does it's job, but the filter has been back in for at LEAST 2 to 3 days and we have seen extremely minor changes in the clarity of water.

As far as changes in my fish' behavior, he is swimming better, he will actually seek food out, but he has yet to successfully flip over let alone stay that way. His mouth is also dark. Like his 'lips' are darker but this may be a side effect of the fungal infection.

is there something else I can do at this point?

Answer
Whitney,   These herbal medications a relatively new so I don't know all the reactions with a true antibiotic. I am so sorry I turned your tank red. Apparently this is a reaction with the Melafix. I should have had you do a partial water change before adding the new medication. I didn't want to stress your Goldie out any further. The medication is working. The color your seeing in his lips is from the absorption of the water and medication. It is fine. I actually have seen this before but, it is usually because some people mistakenly used tetracycline in a saltwater tank. It always turns it red. Anyway, keep medicating and we can start getting the color out of your tank now. You need filter fiber ( the fluffy white stuff in bags at the pet shop ). Especially now while your carbon is out of your filter. Fill it with the fiber it will take that color out change it every couple days or as necessary. You will notice how red it is and know when to remove it. It will be more often in the beginning. Do not use cotton!!! It will fill your tank with fibers that will irritate their eyes and get into their gills. It is dangerous. At this point just keep feeding. The fact that he is eating is a good sign. Make sure you give him a gentle push now and then to keep the oxygen going through his gills a couple times a day. Especially keep the pea a day going. Keep me posted please. If I am on vacation I would direct my question to Chris Robins or Jaymee Johnson they can look up our question and answers if necessary. Both of them guys are great experts !!  Good Luck, Tina