L134 skin condition

[LIB]

Hey guys,

I've recently aquired a couple of L134s. Whilst doing a water change today I noticed a problem with the skin on one of them.

Water parameters are:
Temp 28 degrees
Ph 7.2
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate 40ppm

I have been doing 30% water changes twice a week. The nitrate has steadily crept up over the last couple of weeks. I am running 3 sponge filters on the tank that have been seeded from an established tank.

The fish in concern appears to be breathing quickly.

Could you please advise what the condition may be and how to best treat it.

[ame="http://s1330.photobucket.com/user/LauraS1994/media/image_zps48ed1a32.jpg.html"]image_zps48ed1a32.jpg Photo by LauraS1994 | Photobucket[/ame]

 

[bigbird]

hello,
a few things come to mind.
1. how big is your tank and how many fish and caves do you have in them ?
2. Any chance of a photo of the tank set up ?
3. Usually these markings are a. a female being chased into a cave and the male behind her rasping at her tail or b. two males fighting for a perfect cave and not willing to give up the cave. The dominant male usually picks the best cave and if it is taken, will munch on the tail of the other male in the cave. It is wise to have more caves than Ls for them to choose one.

I would monitor this just to make sure it does not get infected.
cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[LIB]

Thanks for the reply Bigbird.

There is currently 2 males in the tank. It is a 2ft tank. It only has 2 caves and a few pieces of driftwood at the moment. I will put in some extra caves that are spare in another tank.

Would it be necessary to isolate the fish until it heals or would this cause undue stress?

 

[bigbird]

I will be honest i think 2ft is too small. I find 3ft should always be the min in tank size. I would add the other caves and seperate these into 2 zones left and right so each would have its own zone. I would monitor and in a couple of days things should settle but think about a 3 ft tank. Add more driftwood so you break up their line of sitencheers jk:thumbup:

 

[LIB]

Thanks again for your honest opinion. I will definitely consider a bigger tank. I have just added a couple of extra caves and will get more driftwood.

With regards to damaged skin, when it heals, will the markings return to normal or will it always be faded?

 

[bigbird]

They will return to normal after a while let us know how it goes. Ps in the meantime i would go to your local fish store and get the two fixes, pimifix and melafix. These are herbal medications used for Ls, this just as a backup if needed. Cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Brengun]

I've never had much success with the herbal ones. Maybe in my area its old shelf stock or something as they do have expiry dates.

I do often use Waterlifes Myaxazin to heal damage. The position of the damage on your fish indicated a fight over one cave and its been bitten. Myaxazin is quite safe to use and there is no need to use carbon to remove it after treatment as in 24hours it is inert.

Add more caves and slate pieces, driftwood etc and even arrange caves in tiers as sometimes living up higher in the tank can discourage fighting.

In a 2ft tank you may get away with a water change of 25 to 30% once a week but if its not enough then do 2 a week.

Watch the feeding amounts. Two little fish don't eat much and you don't want to pollute the water in a small tank.

 

[LIB]

I picked up some of the treatment that you recommended bigbird. I will keep you posted on progress.

Thanks for the response Brengun. I am working on rescaping the tank so that it is more friendly for these fish.

I recieved these fish a couple of weeks ago as a gift. I am slowly learning about their needs and requirements. It is experienced aquarists like you guys that make this hobby more enjoyable, so thanks once again for your help and improving my knowledge base. I hope that one day I may be able to offer advice just like I have recieved here.

 

[LIB]

Hi guys. Just thought that I would give a quick update.

Initial treatments with Melafix proved unsuccessful. A fungal infection took hold. My LFS didn't have any Pimifix at the time. He did however recommend this fungus and fin rot cure:

http://www.petsofaustralia.com.au/fungus-fin-rot-cure-100-ml-fish-tanks-aquariums

After a week of treatment, dosing every 2nd day as per instructions, the fungus had disappeared and the patterns had started to return to normal. As of now, its patterns have returned.

A note about the treatment. When added to the tank, the water turned green. The surface of the water also had quite a few bubbles. It was noted by a friend that I might as well have given the fish a bubble bath in green cordial.

After re-scaping the tank, no aggression has been noted.

Thanks to all for their advice. I'm glad the fish is now doing well.

 

[Irene0100]

good you are coping, but 2 males in a small tank is def not wise. can you get another tank or swap the male for a female?

 

[bigbird]

well that is good news, that it has healed and rescaping has helped as well. Make sure you now keep an eye on the two males, because fighting light occur again, but only a maybe. cheers jk :thumbup: