Tiger Panda Help please

[brewmaster15]

Jim,
That fish really needs to be in its own tank. Right now its like an incubator for pathogens that its shedding into the water, Even a 10 gal tanks is acceptable here. What I am seeing is internal parasite infections. The fish must have something going on pretty strongly. It is starting to get an emaciated look .. you can see the forehead shrinking and the lateral line receding. The fin and tail erosion is most likely bacterial, When fish get this weak and don't eat enough, their immune system crashes.

I think that fishes best chance for survival is in a hospital tank.. treating the external bacteria can be done often with acriflavin at this point, or an antibiotic... I think your deworming strategy is good, but I think you will need to go longer with metro .

al

[fishy_jim]

Jim,
That fish really needs to be in its own tank. Right now its like an incubator for pathogens that its shedding into the water, Even a 10 gal tanks is acceptable here. What I am seeing is internal parasite infections. The fish must have something going on pretty strongly. It is starting to get an emaciated look .. you can see the forehead shrinking and the lateral line receding. The fin and tail erosion is most likely bacterial, When fish get this weak and don't eat enough, their immune system crashes.

I think that fishes best chance for survival is in a hospital tank.. treating the external bacteria can be done often with acriflavin at this point, or an antibiotic... I think your deworming strategy is good, but I think you will need to go longer with metro .

al

OK - thanks AL !! I honestly don't have a hospital tank setup and certainly no way to cycle a hospital tank quickly. Can I just get a sponge filter and fill a 10gal and do daily 100% WC? With what your seeing should I consider culling this fish? Thanks !!

Actually - I could take some filter media from my 29 gal planted tank and throw that in a HOB of some sort right? I have extra heaters laying around so that wouldn't be an issue. What med would you recommend that I could get at a LFS today? In your experience is there a shot at saving this fish?

[brewmaster15]

The 100%wc will work with a small biofilter and cycled media. I think theres still hope for the fish.

For the external look for seachem polyguard or if thats not availible... tetra ick guard has acriflavin and victoria green which should help the fins heal while you get a handle on the parasites.


Hth,
Al

[fishy_jim]

The 100%wc will work with a small biofilter and cycled media. I think theres still hope for the fish.

For the external look for seachem polyguard or if thats not availible... tetra ick guard has acriflavin and victoria green which should help the fins heal while you get a handle on the parasites.


Hth,
Al

Good news - My LFS has the polyguard. Gonna snag a 10 gal and a small filter and now. Are you saying just do the polyguard now and see how it goes? Can I do Metro and the Polyguard at the same time?

[fishy_jim]

I now have the panda in its hospital tank and had been dosed with seachem polyguard. So far so good, I hope I can save it and get it to eat again. Thanks all for the advice and help. I will post her how the treatment goes.

tank.jpg

[fishy_jim]

Wanted to give an update on my situation with this Panda. I have been dosing seachem polyguard since last Sunday after setting up my hospital tank for this guy. So far so good I am happy to say. Yesterday I saw it eat some FDBW's, not a lot but it did eat. First time in 3 weeks I have seen it eat anything. Fed it again tonight and it ate everything I gave it which was about 1/4 cube FDBW. It is also swimming around more and looking peppier. Its poop also now is starting to be black again. I dont want to get too excited, but I feel it may have turned the corner with this finally. Last week I was almost certain it was going to die. I plan to keep the coarse and keep it in the separate tank for at least 3 weeks and until it looks normal again. Fins are also starting to heal. Very happy and thanks for the help guys !!

[brewmaster15]

Fingers crossed!
Al

[fishy_jim]

Panda is doing good still in the hospital tank. Poop is black again and it has been eating all the food (FDBW) I give it 2x a day. Starting to put some skin back on its bones and looking better each day. I plan to keep dosing Polyguard till Sunday which will put it at 2 weeks treatment. I then will keep it at least another week in the hospital tank with some salt added. Do you think after a week of that I would be good to put him back in the DT or wait longer? Thanks !!

[brewmaster15]

Jim glad its worked out. I think your plan is a sound one if the fish continues to improve and get weight back... Dont rush it if not though ...best to let it fully recover.

Al

[danotaylor]

I love it when a plan comes together!!

[jeep]

I just saw this thread. It seems to be doing much better. Nice job!!!

[Iminit]

I’d say leave it in hospital tank till it’s put on weight. At least another month. No need to rush it back into the main tank.

[fishy_jim]

thanks guys !! Appreciate all the advice and help !!