Hi all. I have had a colombian shark who has an injury about .5cm diameter and is in between gill and fin. We just started making the water brackish, and the fish is about 5.5 inches long. any advise would be greatly appreciated.
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Colombian Shark Help
RainbowsRule
Nov 16, 2008 08:55 AM
Replies (6)
phishie
Nov 16, 2008 11:07 AM
It's probably an ulcer. What are your water parameters? If your ammonia is more than 0, nitrates more than 40 ppm, and nitrites more than 0... you need to do a water change (20%). Have you added anything like melafix? If not, I would add some.
Also, have you done the research to make sure you aren't adding too much salt, and not too fast? The fish will need time to adjust to the salinity... there are two different ways for a fish to deal with either freshwater or salt water.
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Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
RainbowsRule
Nov 16, 2008 12:21 PM
I just did a water change a few days ago and did a water test yesterday. Everything was fine. Will this seriously hurt my fish?
RainbowsRule
Nov 16, 2008 12:22 PM
Oh and I have been adding sea salt very gradually, and also added regular aquarium salt a while ago too. Right now it is in a 55 gallon tank.
phishie
Nov 17, 2008 08:24 PM
It is probably an ulcer. I would add some melafix (a bacterial infection treatment). Please also check the link below. It gives good descriptions of freshwater fish diseases. The ulcers aren't on there, but red pest is something you may want to check. This site is a good one to keep on hand for future reference.
The ulcers shouldn't be a permanent thing, however, it is probably causing your fish some pain (if fish can feel pain - I think they can, but others don't). The melafix should do the trick. It is also a good thing to keep on hand. The makers of Melafix claim that it will help your fish in 4 days, but I've never used it personally (never had to).
Please keep us posted on how your fishie is doing. 
Freshwater fish diseases
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Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
RainbowsRule
Nov 19, 2008 05:04 PM
The little guy died monday.
That morning he would stop, and kinda drift onto his side. He went at about 10 am. I will miss the little guy.
phishie
Nov 19, 2008 06:40 PM
I'm sorry for your loss.
I wish I could have helped sooner.
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Phishie
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
