Zeb males in trouble

Brengun

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Apr 22, 2009
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Just as well I shone the torch in my zeb males cave I would never have seen this. He has a sore or something on his head near his gills.
He is the only male and shares the 2ft tank with one female.
Any idea what it is?
I have uploaded as big a pic as I can in the gallery so just click on the pic for bigger a pic.
 

L273

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Oct 5, 2010
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looks like a tumour or something similar. definately not parasitic, have you tested you water to see if there's been any fluctuations or abnormalities?

i would say methylene blue it but we still don't know what exactly it is. is the zeb still feeding and doing what it normaly does?

sorry i couldn't help more,
Tom
 

FF MkII

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Apr 28, 2009
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Meth blue is nasty horrible stuff that i would steer clear of, especially when we are unsure of the cause. Do you have access to any alder cones? they have excellent antifungal properties and are natural.
 

Brengun

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I was thinking maybe he had a tussle in his log with the female and her pec fin pierced his body? From there its granulated and become proud flesh? If you magnify it, there are still hairs and pigment in it.

At least he's in one of those safety caves with the removable top so I can keep an eye on him. I will do some water tests today and see if the ph etc are stable.

Just in the off chance it is a worm inside I dosed with BigL as it has a bit of a tonic property as well. Going to have to be really careful to keep the water pristine on this one. May move the female if I can so she's not copping all the disturbance as well.
Well I think its female. Might do piccies of her as I move her and make sure I haven't had two males together.
 

Mooo

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Aug 11, 2010
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Ouch Brenda.. Poor bugga, that does look sore,
It looks like a puncture would that has a secondary problem happening, that redder lump in the middle looks like it could have been a puncture maybe..Just a guess...
Where would one acquire these alder cones?
Best of luck with him Brenda...
 

Irene0100

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May 14, 2009
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oh dear, looks nasty, could be an ulcer or tumour. if it gets bigger may have to take to vet to lance it. but if an injury from fight or burn it should heal as long as you have some anti-bacterial meds to stop infection setting in. good luck
 

Brengun

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Burrum Heads, Queensland, Australia
Dare I say it he looks better tonight. I redosed with myxazin but had a blonde moment and overdosed it instead of 2.5ml per 75L I did 9ml to 64L. :whistle:
I have pulled an 8th of the water out, added a couple of guppy fry to see response and if they look stressed I will do a more extensive wc.
At the least in a little while I will do one more 2bucket wc to dilute further.
Piccies :D



BTW the other zeb in the tank is in a cave and when I shine a torch in it paddles the back fins. Betcha I have put 2 males together. :wb:
 

Irene0100

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good, looks less angry so hopefully will heal.
best check the other zeb is female in case there has been a fight. not that they are easy to sex!
 

Bigjohnnofish

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Apr 15, 2010
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always go for melafix and pimafix as first option as both are natural products...

but it looks like its settling down.... glad you have removable lids on the caves now i bet????

good luck with him and update with another pic soon.... :thumbup:
 

graham26

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always go for melafix and pimafix as first option as both are natural products...

but it looks like its settling down.... glad you have removable lids on the caves now i bet????

good luck with him and update with another pic soon.... :thumbup:
I agree i always use both together covers more possibilites than treating with just the one on its own

Good luck i hope he pulls through ok
 

tutters187

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Hey Bren,
looks like it has a nasty bacterial infection hopefully "it's not a tumour", you could try applying betadine cream or liquid to the area as well to help disinfect the fish's body.