Bandit Angelfish Body Ulcers

[DeepWaterAddict]

I had two bandits. The picture shows the one of them. This one passed away quite some time ago. The bigger bandit was bullying on this one so I thought that this was due to stress. However recently I noticed something very similar that's starting to take place on the bigger bandit I have. If you look at these black-ish patches on this fish, that's how it looks like when these ulcers start to develop (from inside out). It starts behind the scales as black patches and then eventually they poke the skin open and you see an ulcer. I have no idea what these are and they caused the death of this small bandit. Now my bigger bandit is also starting to develop this thing. I also have another angelfish in my aquarium which does not have anything like this. Somehow I feel it's bandit specific. Tank temperature is around 78 degrees and 80 in the afternoon. I feed primarily frozen food with selcon but also put in seaweed at times. I'm very confused at this moment and after witnessing how fast it took for the smaller bandit to die I fear that my only bandit now would perish soon too. The current bandit I have has been living in captivity for 2-3 years now. It took the smaller bandit ~9 months in my system to develop these and quickly after that the fish died. The bigger bandit (picture not shown) has been in my system for around 12 - 13 months and is now developing the first black patch (1.5 mm diameter) around it's belly. It looks like the inside is eroding. I worry that it could be caused by a chronic issue such as the temperature in the tank or the diet.

If you have also experienced this or now what it is please let me know. Thank you! Any help is appreciated!

 

[leahfiish]

It looks like an infection, so you'll need to treat with antibiotics. Also, try to keep the temp at 78, bacterial infections can spread faster at higher temps. Soaking food on vitamin supplements may also help, and I see you're already doing that so keep it up.

 

[DeepWaterAddict]

It looks like an infection, so you'll need to treat with antibiotics. Also, try to keep the temp at 78, bacterial infections can spread faster at higher temps. Soaking food on vitamin supplements may also help, and I see you're already doing that so keep it up.

Thanks for the reply. The problem with antibiotics is that I don't know which one to choose. The bandit shown in pic was treated in kanamycin and didn't make it.

 

[leahfiish]

You can combine some of them. Kanaplex and furan 2, I know for sure. I believe there is a pinned post in the disease forum that should have more info.

 

[Maritimer]

Kanaplex, Metroplex and Furan-2 are what are often referred to as "the trifecta" around here. Metroplex can also be administered in food, if bound along with Seachem's "Focus" - which might be helpful if these things are forming inside the fish's body.

I'm not as familiar with this kind of lesion as I'd like to be, so @Humblefish, @melypr1985, @ngoodermuth, @aykwm, @4FordFamily, @Brew12 ... ought to bring a crew of folks who are very, very good at diagnosing and recommending treatments.

~Bruce

 

[4FordFamily]

Kanaplex, Metroplex and Furan-2 are what are often referred to as "the trifecta" around here. Metroplex can also be administered in food, if bound along with Seachem's "Focus" - which might be helpful if these things are forming inside the fish's body.

I'm not as familiar with this kind of lesion as I'd like to be, so @Humblefish, @melypr1985, @ngoodermuth, @aykwm, @4FordFamily, @Brew12 ... ought to bring a crew of folks who are very, very good at diagnosing and recommending treatments.

~Bruce

X2 -- it's really difficult for me to tell by the photo though..

 

[ngoodermuth]

I agree it appears bacterial. I would treat with the trifecta, and probably also give a 60-90 minute acriflavine bath to help stall the infection while the antibiotics have a chance to kick in.

You'll want to dose all three every 48 hours after a 25% water change for at least 10 days, but maybe even as long as 12-14 if needed.

You might also consider using metroplex/focus laced food to address any type of internal issues. The way you described it has a kind of "uronema" feel to it, which can also spread internally.

Edit. Not meaning to suggest it is uronema, but that it might also be spreading internally similar to uronema.

 

[sc50964]

If it's bacterial, I highly recommend to use the following meds. In my recent exp on two large angels, it has shown much better results than the trifecta.
http://store.nationalfishpharm.com/NFP-products-Nitrofuracin-Green-59584.Item.html

 

[melypr1985]

Ok. The antibiotics mentioned by the others are a good idea. However, I want to ask if you have seen any white stringy poop from these guys at all? You may want to food soak metroplex into their food as well, coupled with focus, and feed that for the next two weeks or so.

 

[ngoodermuth]

If it's bacterial, I highly recommend to use the following meds. In my recent exp on two large angels, it has shown much better results than the trifecta.
http://store.nationalfishpharm.com/NFP-products-Nitrofuracin-Green-59584.Item.html

@Humblefish has recommended this for angels specifically I believe? I know he mentioned having promising results with it as an alternative to the trifecta.

 

[Humblefish]

However, I want to ask if you have seen any white stringy poop from these guys at all?

^^ This; I agree with antibiotic treatment, but you might want to also food soak metro just in case an intestinal worm is in play here. Use Seachem Focus to bind the medication to food.

Hexamita, an intestinal worm, can travel to the sensory pores of the head, lesions form, which in turn causes the surrounding tissue to decay.

 

[DeepWaterAddict]

Omg so many responses! Thank you all very very much! I will get the trifecta immediately and also use Focus-bound Metro as food addition. I have noticed my joculator angel having stringy poop but not white I think. I'll get them started and hopefully this time I can save the bandit.