Convict with swollen gills

[iluvstartrek]

Hello:

I have a female convict with swollen gills. She eats and acts o.k. I have noticed nothing else but problems with her gills. They kind of look like they've been partically torn off, more than swollen. The inside looks pink. I have tried Maracyn, Maracyn Two, with Coppersafe, and I just got finished with the second round of penicilin. I have no idea what to try next. Does any body have any ideas?

Thanks,

[SGypsyMermaid]

have you checked your ammonia levels?

[iluvstartrek]

Hello SGypseyMermaid:

I did have the female convict in a new tank, a 20g. The Ammonia did get up there for a couple of days, but I put Amm Lock 2 in the tank. I left her in that tank for a around 2 1/2 weeks. I know have her in a quaranteen tank that has had a couple of fry in it for a long time. The cycle was already in that one. I just got finished checking the ammonia and nitrites and there was no nitrites and I don't think there was any ammonia. I say I don't think because there isn't a whole lot of difference between the color for none and the color for .25. The water looked like the color for 0.0, but it could be inbetween I guess. I also checked the water of my 125g tank and the ammonia was exactly the same as the 10g, exactly. So, I'd say there was none.

I could clean the quaranteen tank and put the carbon back in for a couple of days, and then try some kind of sulfur drug. I really don't know what to do though.

[SGypsyMermaid]

hi sherri--without knowing what's causing the problem, i don't think that i would go with any more heavy duty drugss.--why don't you try adding salt to the tank--about 1 tablespoon per five gallons. salt is a pretty good all-purpose medication, and that might be all that is needed. dissolve the salt in water(very important), then add it slowly to the tank--say over the course of an hour. salt is supposed to be especially good for improving gill function.--keep me posted. sharon

[iluvstartrek]

Hi Sharon:

I will take your advice. Thanks for your help. :)

[SGypsyMermaid]

you're quite welcome :mrgreen: and good luck!

[iluvstartrek]

My convict doesn't look any better, if anything she looks a little worse. What do I do if she never gets better? I don't think she will get better. I don't think it is ammonia either.

[SGypsyMermaid]

i'm sorry, sherri--i can't think of anything else to try. did you look at any of the fish disease diagnosis sites listed in the 'clinic' forum? i hope someone else can give you some help. :(