FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Okay a few weeks ago, I had this huge problem with my 40gal tall. A bacterial infection and ich killed off all of the new fish (plecs and emperor tetras), with the exception of 2 emperor tetras and my existing adult male angel. I slowly added salt over the course of 3 days, and medicated the tank with tetracycline. I have seen a marked improvement in the surviviors' behaviors. Now, I have noticed a knobby cyst on the tail of one of the emperor tetras, which now has constricted tail fin, and a partially missing dorsal to boot. I don't want to re-med the tank with tetracycline. Is there something gentler that I can use? (My hubby says to just do away with him, flush him before it possibly infects the tank.) I don't think it's fair after surviving such a bad fate, to still be done in.

I'm re-posting here in hopes of a response, the original post is in "TETRA TALK".

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

I wouldn't want to add any meds without knowing what the Emperor has. Some pics and water parameters would help and I am sure someone on FP will know what to do. Sorry to here about your losses. Best of luck.

Ph is 7.6
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 5

Can't get a good pic.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

I looked thre the diseases, only thing I can think of, without a pic, is possibly a cauliflower cyst??? Have you looked at diseases to seee if you can id?

Yes, I checked, but the only thing I can see is dropsy, and a possible microbacterial infection. Since I just medicated the whole tank a month ago with some VERY strong antibacterial meds, I was hoping not to have to re-treat with the same meds. If it is a microbacterial infection, it appears to be resistant to the medications I've already tried.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

If you think it is bacterial, maybe try a topical application. I've found mercurachrome to work OK on severe finrot, I've not tried it on a cyst-like thing.

I'd be inclined to suggest it is not bacterial, but it is hard to say without lab tests. Where in the tail is it?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Well, lab work is out. I doubt I could find one, and I strongly doubt I could afford it. The cyst is just before the tail fin. It's not just on one side. It encompasses the tail but stops just before the tail fin.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Okay, this is weird. The cyst has gone away, and is replaced with ... well, the area the cyst was in is dark almost blackish gray. The tail is completely clinched, and there is a red line running along the underbelly, the length of the anal fin.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Has it fallen out? Does the area look like an ulcer or hole?

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

No, just the tail end is darkly colored.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Poor guy didn't make it. Found him stuck to the intake. I went to take him out and he swam a bit.(if you could call it that) He purposely made is way to a tangle of floating plant roots, and wedged himself in. Whenever he came loose, he'd wiggle himself back over, after flopping about the tank. After the whole day of this, I decided to take him out of his misery.

TTFN --->Ta-Ta-For-Now
Kelly ;o}

Sorry to here about your fish.