More Bacterial Infections!

Question
Hello Chris,

About a week ago I asked about my goldfish infection and upgrading to a twenty gallon.  I got some Maracyn-Two and continued treatment with Melafix.  I have just finished dosing Maracyn-Two and I have a day left of Melafix.  Fortunately, the original bacterial infection around his mouth and gills is now almost completely gone, but yesterday another red spot appeared around his pelvic fins and has gotten worse already!  Should I finish up with the Melafix, do a water change and start again?  Or is this not a bacterial infection, but perhaps something else- is there another disease that gives the fish big red spots on his body with a bit of white fluff around the edges? I orginally thought the white stuff was a secondary fungal infection, but I guess I'm not sure.  Thanks for all the help - I very much appreciate it!

Answer
Hi Lizzy;

He may have a resistant strain of bacteria infecting him or his immunity is compromised and he is having a hard time healing. Make a series of 25% water changes every single day while treating with another round of Maracyn Two. Keep using the Melafix at the same time. Water changes are absolutely essential in healing infections, especially tough ones, because fresh water boosts the immunity of your fish. Add the medicine doses for the day right after you make the day's water change. You are removing old medicine at that point so don't be worried that you might be removing anything helpful to your fish. The medicine decays after several hours and that's why we have to re-add it every day.

You can also add aquarium salt to the mix too but it doesn't "decay" like the medicines do. Add an initial dose of 1/2 teaspoon per gallon first. Every time you make a water change, add only enough salt to treat the new water. For example in a 20 gallon tank - Put in 10 teaspoons the first time. When you make the 25% water change every day, that's about 5 gallons. Add 2.5 teaspoons of salt when you add back the fresh 5 gallons.  

I hope he feels better very soon...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins