Swallowtail (possible brook)

ngoodermuth · May 17, 2017

4FordFamily said:
I'm wondering if it's the dreaded gram negative bacterial infection...

I was thinking the same thing :/

melypr1985 · May 17, 2017

The acriflavin dip and the triple thread meds are really all that can be done at this point. They need time to work. This is most likely gram negative which is a shame since they are so difficult to treat and fast moving. There are other meds to try, but these haven't had any real chance to work yet.

Humblefish · May 17, 2017

melypr1985 said:
The acriflavin dip and the triple thread meds are really all that can be done at this point. They need time to work. This is most likely gram negative which is a shame since they are so difficult to treat and fast moving. There are other meds to try, but these haven't had any real chance to work yet.

That fish is a goner, but I'd put her in a 5 gal bucket with acriflavine just to try to slow this down.

While she's in the bucket, try to apply some Neosporin (yes, you heard me right) directly to the red areas. It's her only hope at this point.

Humblefish · May 17, 2017

For future reference, this is "fish friendly" topical Neomycin: http://www.hikariusa.com/solutions/healthaid/bio-bandage/

It's basically the same as Neosporin though. Last ditch effort to target a localized area and stop an infection from spreading.

I've also used MB (with limited success) to slow down really fast acting infections: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

Wow, I don't think i have ever seem humble type that? I'm guessing there's an extremely low survival rate from this?

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

Right now she's in qt with furan 2, metro, kanaplex and copper (still bringing levels up) . Should I take her out and put her back in Acriflavine bath?

azbigjohn · May 18, 2017

Nothing to add with all the experts here, but I'm glad to see you're giving it a shot, Chris!

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

azbigjohn said:
Nothing to add with all the experts here, but I'm glad to see you're giving it a shot, Chris!

Yup, trying to. Thanks buddy..

Humblefish · May 18, 2017

lilchris_357 said:
Wow, I don't think i have ever seem humble type that? I'm guessing there's an extremely low survival rate from this?

Sorry to be so pessimistic, but I have a very low success rate saving fish from aggressive, gram negative bacterial infections. It's something I'm still trying to figure out.

How's the fish doing/looking this morning?

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

No worries humblefish. She's looking better. The redness has subsided, she's alert and EATING. I have the copper levels up over 2 ppms (api kit). I will have it to 4 by the end of the day.

Humblefish · May 18, 2017

lilchris_357 said:
No worries humblefish. She's looking better. The redness has subsided, she's alert and EATING. I have the copper levels up over 2 ppms (api kit). I will have it to 4 by the end of the day.

Nice! Which antibiotics are you using?

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

Furan 2, kanaplex, Metroplex, coppersafe

ngoodermuth · May 18, 2017

Wait, I'm not as familiar with coppersafe, but I thought most people were aiming for 2.5? Is 4 going to be too high?

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

Hmm, not sure. The dose on the box is 5ml/4 gal of water. She'd in a 10 g tank, I'm on have 7 ml in the water now. Yes, please advise. I was going by the dosage on the box.

Humblefish · May 18, 2017

lilchris_357 said:
Furan 2, kanaplex, Metroplex, coppersafe

The triple threat (Kanaplex + Furan-2 + Metroplex) is a good choice for treating bacterial infections. Keep at it for a minimum of 10 days; 14 days might be better in this situation due to the severity of this infection.

ngoodermuth said:
Wait, I'm not as familiar with coppersafe, but I thought most people were aiming for 2.5? Is 4 going to be too high?

Good catch. You want to hold the line right around 2ppm when using Coppersafe. For some reason, Copper Power advises a therapeutic dosage of 2.5ppm.

lilchris_357 · May 18, 2017

Okay, she's around 2.5 now.

ngoodermuth · May 19, 2017

How's she doing? Any improvement?

lilchris_357 · May 19, 2017

She's about the same as yesterday. The dorsal fin is still in bad shape. She is swimming more and she's eating really good. I give her PE mysis , I feed her one piece at a time until I think she's full. I think she ate like 8 pieces this morning.

lilchris_357 · May 19, 2017

Humblefish said:
That fish is a goner, but I'd put her in a 5 gal bucket with acriflavine just to try to slow this down.

While she's in the bucket, try to apply some Neosporin (yes, you heard me right) directly to the red areas. It's her only hope at this point.

I have been thinking about doing this procedure. What are your thoughts on it? I think she's do well other than that dorsal fin. She's eating and she's swimming a bit more. Any thoughts? I am going to do a 25% water change due to the Furan-2 directions. I will start that second round of treatments tomorrow. ALong with that I will start the second round of Kanaplex and Metroplex. Should I do another acriflavine bath on her as well? I will post pictures of her later when I get home.