Flowerhorn does not eat anything

Question
QUESTION: I have a flower horn fish which is not having food for past one week and it is discharging whitish fluid. What should i do in order to make it eat and get back to original state?

ANSWER: Hi Balaji,

It's hard to say but it sounds like Hexamita.

Are there any other symptoms like:

Swimming Unevenly
Sores
Loss of colour

Thanks

Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom,
I appreciate your response to this.
There is no uneven swimming and no spores but loss of color is a symptom.

Thanks
Balaji

Answer
Hi Balaji,

Loss of appetite and loss of colour leads me to believe that your fish is suffering from Fish Tuberculosis. However, I'm reluctant to give such a diagnosis without examining the fish so I'd advise you to gain a second opinion from someone who is able to have a look at him.

Fish TB can cause varying symptoms to fish. Some swim unevenly and develop sores whilst others show no outward signs of infection.

All fish are susceptible to TB, particularly Cyprinids, Anabantids and Characins. Wild fish are frequently affected but rarely seriously.

The bacteria Mycobacterium is responsible for inducing tuberculosis. They are frequently present in fish but do not necessarily cause any harm unless conditions deteriorate and the fish becomes stressed. These bacteria can affect man, so take care when working on the tank and wash your hands thoroughly after doing filter maintenance etc. It won't kill you, but you'll have flu like symptoms and generally feel a bit crap.

In early stages human anti-TB drugs work well, although one advanced the disease doesn't respond so well. Improving the conditions will prevent the disease reoccuring. Mycobacterium thrives at temperatures at or above 25C (77F) so raising the temperature will make the problem worse.

Like I say, I'm reluctant to give a definite diagnosis, but the symptoms fit.

any probs, let me know

Tom