mystic_beth

Found the culprit ..it came in on the Big nose it seems. There is an 8mm long approx "mother" of a worm hidden under the gill on the big nose. The white spot treatment must of weakend it because it made a couple of awkward appearances before the fish worked it back to where it caused the least distress. I guess too it is getting too big to stay hidden in there. Well I bought a AR380 to isolate the nose while I try figure the best way to treat it without killing it. I cant access the worm to remove it..and in any case there may be others. Currently treating other tanks and the bristle noses none too happy. Sometimes you can't win.

This Tassie forum shows a lot of promise but will be shutting down if there is no increase in activity. Perhaps some members here would like a little trans Tasman chat? It would be a shame to see this site die as there is not a very active aquaritst network on our little island. Here is the link. http://www.tassieaquariumsociety.com/forum/index.php

Well No one else has died or gotton sick in my little tank..that the betta came out of...so looks like it wasn't hex.. thank goodness. Good fortune left as far as my big tank goes. :-?

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First picture is about three weeks ago, I first noticed it, took a pic in case..but it went away. These pictures are this afternoon. They really are tiny. I dislodged one with a cotton bud and it drifted away without activity. Left no mark that I could see. I did discover more on the body and near gills. Fish too small and mobile to closley incpect the gills..outward appearance OK. These things on both sides..the rest not so ready to dislodge.

Total edit OK so I had a whitespot breakout and against my gut instinct allowed myself to use rapid whitespot remedy (because the guys in the shop rang the importers of the noses who said I could use it at half strength) I did this because The mystery white things are anchor worms, and the higher temp thing might speed up their lifecycle. One day after treating the tank, I have my small nose dying in a 30 liter hospital tank (fighting for it's life but I havn't much hope..it's little body is all blistered) The bigger nose is hanging in the main tank..he is ok..only just, a considerable amount of finnage is missing..but his body looks ok. The plan was to treat the whitespot followed by treating for the anchor worms. But I find that the product they have convinced me to buy is no good even in half doses for noses. Hours I have spent researching trying my darndest to do the right thing. On the phone, talking to people. No avail. So looks like I need to get another hospital tank set up for the big nose and quarantine him. manually remove (somehow) any anchor worms that show up. And I need to thoroughly treat my tank while it is noseless. I feel so bad for the poor things. And frustrated.

Hi Sharne I hope it's not infectious. The Links in other threads on here to discus sites believe it is via the droppings. Will try the garlic probably as a hopefully nutritious preventative.

OK So I have been reading some other sick fish threads and find I have some common factors with others namely the stringy poo. With a sicknening feeling I now realise all my other new fishys in Quarantine tank have been exposed to Hex as a likely cause. Sick betta removed to a hospital tank, and I will ring vet in morning to see If I can get a prescription. Have changed carbon filters and done a 50% water change in Q/T tank with a good gravel vacumn. Monitoring fish even more closely now. Have read somewhere that garlic can be used as a treatment with fish that are still eating as a preventative / cure. Anyone know how? Cheers

Thanks Adodge Your thoughts are appreciated. I guess if it's her time it's her time. Would be a shame as she is a nice fish. But I am expecting her not to make it. Will post the end result. With living creatures we are learning all the time. cheers Liz

Hi there No Idea how old she is. This is the best I can do for a top pic..camera not co operating.

Five days ago, when I brought her home..was more lively then. As of today .. looking washed out..she is pooing (so not constipated one would think. Scales seem fine..did consider dropsy..but I might be missing somthing. Does seem more distended in todays pics. Also seems to be going for air a lot, then burping it up.

OK In my quarantine tank..I have a few new fishys. 2 of which are Siamese females and one a stunning purple and red Male. Both females were showing a lot of colour, but after 3 days the larger and fatter one of the two has gone very bland on the body, and does not seem to eat, flake nor the bloodworm I put right under her nose. She spends a lot of time sitting on the plants near the surface, I guess getting oxygen. She looks quite fat, but stiff..and seems to be pooing so she must be getting somthing..but even the plants are new so maybe snails? Everyone else is happy and glowing and very active, aside from this bland girl. I can see no evidence of of slime or fungus at this point. (and I hope at no point). Any one more familiar with Betta's have a clue? Or do I worry for nothing? :-? Never had the Pleasure of these fishes before...they are very likeable.

Got these today and forgot to write down their name when I got home. Long Finned???? Somthing? And below..a trippy pic I got off my White Clouds Might use this one in my signature. Any tips on the name of the Salmon coloured fisheys appreciated.

Well..past and present I have had or have. Angel fish, Dwarf Gouramis, White Clouds, Black Tetras, Bristle noses (the Ellis get attached to those) I Have seen them in with Bolivan Butterflys in the Aquarium..and they seemed cool with each other being around. I am Told Siamese fighters get on well with them..and I'd like one but for fear of the resident Gourami dining on his fins. That same shop aquarium had small Gold Severum..But I don't now enough about them or the "Butterflys" to know how they would go long term and grown more. The Elephant noses are the most active and acrobatic of fish. Keep your tank covered if you get one

Very nice set up.

Though the big one moved to the AR980 last night. I have decided to keep the little one in the AR510, He likes it there. Interesting that the big one's pet Bristlnose went up and caressed his friend when he arrived in the new tank. Also The nose went into immediate hiding when released (probably thought he was on the pet shop rounds) But came out to the glass to greet me and listen to me as I talked to him and told him he was still home, just a bigger room. He really seemed to listen..probably just the familiar voice..but he relaxed and came out after that. The small tank pic. The big nose

AWSOME! :bounce: Would you look at the size of the Elephant nose! I don't think he is a Petersi (sp?) but maybe the type that feeds from the bottom of the nose. (cant be bothered to pull up the scientifica name. but they grow very large.) Hope mine don't get that big too soon or hubby will file for a divorce when I ask for a shed to be built to house a tank "how big?" :-? Wonder how fast a shipping container can be converted into an aquarium room? On a serious note..anyone know at what rate an elephant nose fish grows per year?

I would get a refund. Don't trust stuff like that. Also if ever you use silicone be sure it's the right stuff for aquariums or you will kill your fish dead as door nails I have been caught out times gone past with cheap tanks. As already mentioned the stand could be warped. The glass may not be thick enough for the volume of water held. Lots of things to look into. My foray into sea horses 4 years back, and a pet shop that sold tanks cheap (had them made by a backyarder that worked in a window business) saw me rescuing sea horses from certain death on two occasions and the shop coming out with loan tanks while mine was fixed or replaced. First time I was visiting when I had an intuition I had to get home now! The hexagonal tank had craked in one of it's panes..salt water all over carpet..and enough left in tank to catch with tupperware and chuck sea horses into it. (at this point I hadn't gotten a spare tank.) Second time I wake up in the middle of the night, one week later, and the replacement tank, a taller than average 2.5 footer had the front pane bowed out (there was no brace for the top) Fishies back in spare tank I had obtained the shop came back for the tank and fixed it to the specs I got off a hobbyist at work. Lots of hassel and extra trips to collect sea water! (Tassie Seahorses they were) So avoid potential hassel. In any case it will take more than a week for your large tank to be ready to stick your fish in. Then only a couple at a time to avoid toxic shock. Frustrating I know. Good luck

Thanks for that Adodge...that search came up nicely.

I just bought some plants today..and after they are bagged up I realise there are fish in the plant tank. I never used to worry about quarantineing plants when they were in a stand alone tank. Now I am chicken about using these and have tem in a bucket of water. How long should I keep them in the bucket to avoid the common disease cycles? ie like white spot? I also saw a fish I liked and it was called Bolivian Butterfly..however in my efforts to research them..I can not find them on the net. So assuming the name on the tank is incorrect. Any thoughts? Ta

WOW If you were here mate, I'd hand you a beer for this info..I'm down to Tandy on payday! Some of these noises are audible to the naked ear. I have heard a couple of bursts when they pulled the gourami's into gear. :bounce: They must have been really telling them! Well I wasn't imagining things then. Fantastic for hunting this up...Thanks Alan!

I did think of what you suggest David. But I feel I want a carefully selected community tank. The two I have seem to quite enjoy the company. I have decided to move them with some of their existing companions, One dwarf Gourami, their bristlnose (who patiently lets them rearrange him/her when they hunt their bloodworms) their 5 Black neon tetras. I will add two more noses and see how they go, one additional bristlenose, one siamese fighter (someone said they love snails ) I am thinking of 5 neon rainbow fish (if they are available). and or If there is still enough room for everyone to be happy and healthy 2x Western rainbow - Melanotaenia splendida australis. But they can go into the soon to be about deserted AR510

I had two dwarf gourami's both male and they were fine till I was talked into getting a third, another male. He was agressive and bit chunks out of one other, so I rehomed him ASAP. But then the two that were once buddied up didn't get on..one took over the stand over tactics. So they are now very happy, but living one in each of my 2 tanks. The noses dont mind them. I did notice the aggressive candidate went for my black neon tetras, but left the white clouds alone. I knew running males together was a bit of a risk, but they seemed fairly settled in the shop tank. They are territiorial.

Typical of me to find a thread that old LOL :roll: Oh well it is to be whomever may answer the questions then? I had a though. I actually work near the electrical design department in my work place. I'll see if anyone there is interested in the amp project. will share anything I learn. May take some time though. Will see what I find. Cheers

Hi White Crust Does it have to be a little was it a tin ball? (will go back and check post) Can it be a little plastic one? Do you have the link to that site. When my two get bored the pair of them round up the other fish for fun. Can you please tell me how to hook up a little amp on my tank? These fish are very close to my heart aswell, and it is a joy to care for happy and healthy noses. May they stay that way. I am soon to move mine to their new tank and I am worried that will upset them.