Sick Chiclid

Question
QUESTION: Hi Nathan,
Hope all is well.  I tried to ask another question but it said I asked too many questions so had to start over again.  Maybe you have the other question trail saved?  So my fish was well for awhile... not the bacteria is back.  Why won't it go away?  She is sick and now just sits nose down to the gravel with her tail in the air, why is she doing this?  I have been doing weekly 20 water changes...
I started using the 'Melafix' medicine again...not working yet.  I took all the tank vitals - did the testing:
PH: 6.0
Nitrates: 0
Ammonia: 0

So what do you think is going on?  She has the bacteria all in her gills again..so sad :(    What can we do to finally cure this?

Thanks so much,
Suzanne



ANSWER: Hi Suzanne,

I'm very sorry to hear that your Cichlid is sick again. It seems that, by your description, that your Cichlid is in a later stage of the disease. Is it the same cottony growths? If it is, and Melafix is not yet working, I'd suggest that you first do a 30% water change, and add another type of antibacterial medication, such as Maracyn, Jungle Lab's antibacterial medication, or Sera's Baktopur. Since your current medication isn't working, it may be possible that it has become resistant. If you are planning to add different medications, make sure you read the label for the active ingredient. If the active ingredients are the same for two medications, don't bother, because that would be like adding a double dose, which would harm your fish.

Your pH is a bit too low, but I would advise against fiddling with it while your fish is sick. The pH change would make her condition worse.

Since your fish seems quite prone to illness, you may want to find out why. Is the fish stressed? Is there a lack of hiding places? Is there adequate filtration?

Also, adding a slime coat enhancer such as Stress Coat, by API, will help reduce stress and prevent any future diseases.

Good Luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!

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

QUESTION: Hi Nathan,
Thanks for your help.  I think I am doing all the right things or trying to!  She has two filters on ther 45gallon (The carbons are out right now)  Part of the tank is covered with fabric and there are lots of plants so she kind of has a cave to hide in.  maybe her tank is too small?
I do use 'stress coat' everytime I change the water.  I dont think I should do a water change right now.  I just did one yesterday and then another one on Monday.  I wil start the Maracyn again but I think she was immune to it..
I think she needs a bigger tank.

Thx,
Suzanne

ANSWER: Hi Suzanne,

If she's the only Cichlid in there, you don't really need a bigger tank, unless you are planning to keep more fish in there. If you have more fish, other than the sick cichlid, then you will probably need a bigger tank. I see that you have great filtration! Keep up the good work with the aquarium maintenance.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask again!

Good luck, and Happy Fishkeeping!

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

QUESTION: Hi Nathan,
My poor Lucy is not doing well and I can not figure it out!
I don't think any medicine is working anymore. The bacteria is all over her.  In her mouth (I have never seen it in her mouth before), on her head, in her gills, eyes all over the place!  I have been doing weekly water changes.  This week I started her back on the maracyn and it was not working so I switched back tothe Melafix today.  is it bad to switch medicine?  I also got her new ammonia take out things for the filters.  What shall we do here?

Thx,
Suzanne

Answer
Hi Suzanne,

Since the fish is seriously infected, I recommend that you do a double dose of the medication, or a single dose of both Maracyn and Melafix. There's also a chance that it's a mixed infection of both fungus and bacteria. You've mentioned that the stuff was all over her, and 'nothing like you've seen'. Fungus and Columnaris bacteria are easily mistaken for one another. If you've been using Maracyn or Melafix for more than 3 days, and her condition doesn't improve, it may be a fungal infection as well. Remember to take out all traces of carbon in the filter with any medication!

In summary:

-Buy a general purpose medication, such as Sera's Omnipur, which treats almost everything OR buy a fungal medication as well.

-Use the Fungal medication at full dose, as well as the bacterial medication.

-Perform a 40% water change before adding a new type of medication.

-Remember, no CARBON!

I hope your fish recovers... she surely has been through a lot!