SICK CLOWN LOACH!

[Mark in Vancouver]

You should be able to find it if Emma uses it. That is, it should be around in the UK.

[Mad Duff]

My first reaction to the pictures was a prolapsed anus which I have seen before and were caused by poor water conditions and/or poor diet.

If it has now burst it could indicate a cyst or tumour, melafix would certainly help reduce any swelling and help guard against bacterial infection.

Melafix is easily available in pretty much all good fish outlets in the UK.

[shari2]

Most antibiotics are not effective against both, especially those available for aquarium use thus the need to use a combination, such as Maracyn 1 & 2.

Hi Aquakilla, welcome to LOL.

Broad spectrum antibiotics, ones that kill both gram-negative and positive bacteria, such as neomycin, chloramphenicol, nitrofurazone based products, skin absorbed kanamycin sulfate based antibiotics such as Kanacyn/K-Mycin, and secondly tetracycline, are usually effective treatments. Aquatronics makes an ultra-wide spectrum antibiotic blend of nitrofurazone and kanamycin called Spectrogram.

I am not sure what is available in the UK that would be accessible to gassb, but there are antibiotics that will address both other than the maracyns in combo.

Generally, when there is a possible bacterial problem that is in early stages, such as a wound, or other mild-appearing or worrying symptoms, melafix is a possible first line of defense. Though it is not an 'antibiotic' per se, it does have antibacterial properties and is well tolerated by most freshwater fish and does not harm the biofilter.

Any gram negative antibiotic will definitely damage the beneficial bacteria in a tank since they are also gram negative.

[Whitey_MacLeod]

A note on maracyn- I've sucessfully had maracyn 1 and 2 delivered over here from a US ebay shop. I don't believe the active ingredients are available over here without a prescription, so maybe I shouldn't have been able to get hold of it like this, but the fact is I did, and I haven't been raided by customs (not yet anyway )

[Emma Turner]

None of the antibiotics that Shari mentions are available off-the-shelf over here. Some can be obtained via prescription from a vetinary surgeon, but there are not too many 'fish friendly' vets around in the UK and most will usually want to see the affected fish before prescribing anything.

gassb, you should be able to source Melafix from any reputable aquatics store. Where abouts in Cambridgeshire are you? Our shop stocks it (Maidenhead Aquatics @ Peterborough) as will the Cambridge branch.

Emma

P.S. Whitey, you're lucky to have got away with importing that treatment, as is the American seller: http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/p ... ?news=1135

[Whitey_MacLeod]

Thanks for that Emma. At the time I bought it I wasn't aware that it's not generally available over here. When I found out I did wonder if I should have been able to get it, but I hadn't been able to find anything definitive. Of course I don't advise doing anything illegal, and I won't be buying any more. It was actually marked as medication on the package, so it seems I've been very lucky indeed. Thankyou for the clarification- I'd feel terrible if my comment led to anyone getting into trouble.

[gassb]

Hi Emma

We actually live in Great Shelford in South Cambs, near Trumpington, and have Scotsdales, Petpaks at hardwick, if you could advise of any other would be great.

[helen nightingale]

Maidenhead @ Cambridge is quite a nice shop. i used to go their for medications and odds and sods when i worked in cambridge. its at Coton garden centre. i know they will be able to sort out medicine for you, as they have been helpfull to me in the past.

Melafix has always been fine in my experience

[gassb]

Okay we have got the medication, have done a partial water change (25%) and have removed the carbon element of the filter, and added the Melafix.

So thanks for all your help and suggestions they have been great, FINGERS CROSSED for a recovery of somesorts, I will keep you all posted.

Sandy

[gassb]

Hi all

Goodish news !

just to let you know that we still have the poorly loach, the Nitrite level is down to 0 (yipee), all of the fish seemed to have perked up with the Melafix and we are nearly at the end of the 7 days. The loach still has the lump near anal fin and on side but both have gone down slightly, but in general he is totally different comes out more and seems livlier and more sociable.

We have been to Maidenhead Aquatics and they have suggested that at the end of the 7 day treatment we give the medication a rest for 48 hours, put back the carbon media in the filter and see what happens.

They were really helpful and very knowledgable, (have given us a lot to think about for next year new tank etc.) they have also stated that they will be happy to have a look at any photos of the loach that is ill test any water samples for us and see if they can come up with any other suggestions/ideas.

So all in all looking quite good at the moment.

Cheers every one.