Fish looks like its Rotten..HELP!

[Fishturd]

My friend has a 55 gal fresh water tank and one of his fish in it is a Redtail Shark and he says big pieces are falling off of it like he's rotting away. What is this and What causes this and how do I treat?

Thanks for your help

[Stang69]

Pics would help a little but my guess is he has been punked by another fish in the tank. I would 1 take him out and put him in a second tank. 2 treat him with an anti bacterial med like meth blue. More than likely he will survive but dont take a chance of him getting a bacterial infection from an open wound.


Good luck let us know what happens


Jeff

[jdbassin]

What else is in the tank with him, I'd agree that it sounds like something in the tank is picking on him, THough red tails are generally fairly hardy



jd

[bcromwell]

Google Fin Rot,

He should
A) Do a 50% water change
B) Add about 2 tsp. of Aquarium salt per gallon of water,
C) If after a week not getting any better get some OTC antibiotics

Fin rot is caused by a normal bacteria in the water. It's usually harmless, but can begin to grow on the fish if it overwhelms the immune system, much like fungus on humans. Times of stress will reduce the fish's immune system to the point where it can't cope

[alaskaknucklehead]

Melafix may help too.

[bcromwell]

Originally Posted by bcromwell

Google Fin Rot,

He should
A) Do a 50% water change
B) Add about 2 tsp. of Aquarium salt per gallon of water,
C) If after a week not getting any better get some OTC antibiotics

Fin rot is caused by a normal bacteria in the water. It's usually harmless, but can begin to grow on the fish if it overwhelms the immune system, much like fungus on humans. Times of stress will reduce the fish's immune system to the point where it can't cope

Sorry, Can't figure out how to edit, It should have been 2tsp per 10 Gallons of water.

[Twitterbait]

I agree with the 1tbsp salt per gallon, and water change. You should also take the temperature up to 80 or 82 degrees.