sick altums

[Claudine]

Someone please help! Rescaped my 6 feet tank during Hari Raya and removed all fish (consisting of 3 large altums, apistos, rummy nose etc) into a large tub. After rescaping, half the tank's old water was put back.

Everything was fine until the 5th day. 1 of the Altum seems to be breathing faster followed by body fungus and died. The other 2 developed fin rot and mouth ulcer 2 days ago. I used the japanese yellow powder medication & soaked them for 10 mins each night and return them back to the tank. Today have faint light colour spots (about the size of their eye ball) on their bodies, the spots are not raised up.

Today I have isolated them in another tank and kept the temperature at 30 (the 6 feet's temp is 26).

Would really appreciate if some experts could give tips on how to give my remaining 2 a better chance of survial.

[DEA]

stop taking them out and putting them back in
treat them in situ
the more you disturb them, the higher the chance they will go up the lorry

add some salt, it helps to prevent any nitrite damage that might occur in the isolation tank
and watch the spots closely, to see if they develop into anything more conclusive

treating with medication blindly is one of the worst things we can do
for now, what you should do is wait and watch

[Claudine]

appreciate your quick reply. will add some salt and hope for the best.

[StanChung]

hi claudine,

DEA's right. altums are sensitive to meds and water toxicity.
salt as recommended should about 1 ppt. 100g/100liters good luck...