Scuba Sam Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Hi there, I'm hoping for some advice on treatment of my fish. I have a golden severum, fit and healthy, had him for months. He is in with two fish which have not been in good condition from when I was first given them. A green severum (fin rot), and a snakeskin gourami (white patch on side). I have the three fish in a 160 litre tank for treatment. I have dosed as per instructions as best as I am able. Day One - Three capsules in tank Day Two - Three capsules in tank - gourami developed some pits on his head. Day Three - green severum looking very sad, sitting on bottom of tank, gasping. 50% water change, rather than 25% change - she looked much better Day Four - Three capsules in tank Day Five - Gourami sitting on bottom, labouring to get to top of tank for a breath. Lowered water level so less effort for him, to approx 2/3 of previous. Two capsules added. Gourami's patch on the side of body looks like its peeling. Green severum looks well. So what's happening here guys? Is the treatment making my fish sick? Am i doing something wrong with the dose? Is the patch on the side looking worse because it is getting better? I will be tempted to do the second water change at the 12 hour mark this evening rather than the 24 hour mark tomorrow as its almost like the fish can't handle the second dose. And then do I treat a second round? Your advice please, Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Sam Posted August 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 I'm starting to wonder if there is an intestinal problem causing the general susceptibility in the gourami. He hasn't been a big eater in the two or three months I have had him, tending to sit behind a rock in the community tank he was in before I shifted him for treatment. Any comments? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 All I can suggest is that it should have been 4 caps each time and that it sounds like it could be a problem that furan will not fix. It is expensive so it is best to dose in a small tank or drop the water level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Sam Posted August 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 Thanks for your thoughts Alan. I did the maths roughly in my head and came up with three capsules - must do it properly, for the actual water level. Am I right in understanding that you are saying you think it is a worsening of the disease rather than a toxicity reaction to the drug itself? Has anyone experience of problems with Furan 2 and/or its effect on wounds as they are healing? The gourami looked worse this evening so I have done a 25% water change. Conversely, the Green Severum looks better than she has looked in a while. Time will tell I guess... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted August 30, 2008 Report Share Posted August 30, 2008 I have killed off fish with other antibiotics (killing the filter bugs and causing the tank to recycle I think) but not with furan2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted September 7, 2008 Report Share Posted September 7, 2008 I have no experience using Furan. How did your fishies make out? Caper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Sam Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Hi Caper, Thanks for your query. Both fish have improved since I separated them from the others. It seems they were being harassed. Each has its own tank while it recovers. Still not sure that I am on top of their health problems, but they are still hanging in there. Fingers crossed. I am treating the gourami with Wunder tonic, and wound seems a bit better. Cheers, Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brookey25 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Hi Scuba Sam, I'm not sure if I'll be able to help, but I do have recent experience with Furan 2. Just something important to remember - this is just about the most toxic fish medication that exists - so just make sure you dose exactly according to the instructions on the packet and ALWAYS wash your hands immediately after using. I actually gave my fish 2 courses of Furan 2. I'd adopted him from a diseased tank at my workplace.. and he was covered in Septicemia with internal bleeding. The Furan worked like a Miracle - even the woman at the local Pet Store was discouraging me from buying anything for the fish because she was so sure he would die. So in my experience, Furan 2 is highly effective if you dose correctly and the fish is sick enough to warrant using it. Otherwise Melafix is another excellent option.. but it depends on how chronic your fish's illness is. Now that I've reduced the Septicemia on my fish 90%, I have put him on a couple of courses of Melafix with a large break between.. just to help clear that last little bit up. You must be aware that Furan 2 can really make the fish feel awful. I gave my fish 2 4 day courses, with a short break in between.. and it was really touch&go.. was sure I would lose him. He sat on the bottom for the majority of the time, but I fed him his most favourite food everyday (defrosted bloodworm).. because I just tried to make sure he kept eating and kept his strength up. I think that was probably the most important thing. Also, you must remember to have the tank as oxygenated as possible! I was lucky to have met a local pet store owner who helped me through the process step by step and was very knowledgeable with fish. Even in my 9.5 litre tank, I had to have a pump with a giant airstone. A filter without the activated carbon would also be ideal as well.. as I was told the fish prefer the current it creates in the water. I was stressed to make sure there were "as many bubbles as possible". I followed their instructions and it all went well Also - I think it's good that you've seperated the sick fish. It sounds like they have different illnesses and no 2 fish will react to the dosage the same. You can monitor them better when they're on their own.. and they shouldn't have to worry about fighting over food anyway. Keep in touch. I hope some of this advice has been helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba Sam Posted September 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Thanks so much Brookey - that is just what I was looking for, and fits with what I have been seeing. It's awesome to hear that your experience fits with my observations. Many thanks, Sam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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