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	Sick pregnant swordtail
Moe Fingerling Posts: 35 Kudos: 8 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Nov-2003	I have a swordtail that is very pregnant. Should have the babies any day now. It is so hard to tell though. Last week I put her in a net breeder. She hated it and would keep swimming into the net. Her tail began to look ragged so I took her back out and into the 10G community tank. Now she looks as if a fungus is growing from the fin. It is a small white cottony patch. My question is should I move her into a hospital tank. (I have one set up) or just wait until she has the babies. She is hiding all the time in a cave. Not sure what to do.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35
Callatya Moderator The girl's got crabs! Posts: 9662 Kudos: 5261 Registered: 16-Sep-2001	You could lose her if you dont treat her, and that would prolly mean you lose the bubs too. If you do treat, you should keep the mummy and if not the bubs, she will have more. It will probably be bacteria moreso than fungus. Do you know your water parameters (ammonia etc) and what other fish are in the tank with her now? 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
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35
Moe Fingerling Posts: 35 Kudos: 8 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Nov-2003	Water parameters are ammonia 0, nitrite 0, ph 7.5. That is all the tests I have. 10G has 2 swordtails, 2 balloon mollies, 3 cory, 2 lemon tetras and a bunch of snails. So you think I should move her to a hospital tank? I am planning on treating her with erythromycin. The package says treats finrot, and body fungus. Do you think the babies will live if she has them in the hospital tank with the meds? I could try to get them right out and transfer them back to a net breeder in the 10G. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35
garyroland ---Prime Fish--- Posts: 7878 Kudos: 4010 Votes: 103 Registered: 31-Dec-2001	Briefly... The fish should be placed back in the breeding net and the med dosed according to the gallonage of the tank. The female, after giving birth, will eat the fry if not separated and so will the other fish in the tank if given the opportunity. The med should not affect the fry if dosed correctly. If in doubt, dose at half strength. --garyroland.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35
Callatya Moderator The girl's got crabs! Posts: 9662 Kudos: 5261 Registered: 16-Sep-2001	I kinda like your idea better Moe, but thats just because i dont much like treating an entire tank with heavy antibiotics, when only 1 fish is currently showing signs. Yes, i think both ways will work. Be aware EM will probably kill off your biofilter. Keep a close eye on your water params and be prepared to dose with some Cycle Good luck Keep us updated. 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
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35
Moe Fingerling Posts: 35 Kudos: 8 Votes: 0 Registered: 03-Nov-2003	Well I thought I'd post an update. Sadly the sick swordtail died last night. She must have died giving birth to her fry. There were 2 fry in the hospital tank when I looked in this morning and the female was dead with a fry sticking out of her. It was horrible. I moved the fry into a breeding net in a 10G and they seem to be doing well so far. Hopefully the story will have a happy ending.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35
Catfish Lady Fingerling Posts: 17 Kudos: 7 Votes: 0 Registered: 08-Jul-2004	I am so sorry about your fish. I just lost a guppy to fungus yesterday. It was horrible. My female swordfish (pregnant and ready to pop) has fungus too, but I have been treating the tank since a couple of fish have the same problem. I called the people who made the medicine and they said it would not hurt the mom or fry so I am continuing to treat until they are better. Good luck with the new ones.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:35


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