Sick Fish - Swollen Belly and Bumps - Help

[jwwill0]

My royal gramma's stomach has swollen up and has been for a couple of days now. I noticed now that there are some white bumps protruding from its belly. First off, I haven't been able to catch it, so any suggestions there are greatly appreciated. Second, is this bacterial or parasitic? Recommended course of action?

My main display is a 180G with alot of rock, fish, and coral. Catching fish is near impossible, but so is widespread treatment.

Thanks

[jwwill0]

Also, I have had this fish for 8-9 months, and have not added any fish in probably 2 months or more. I have added corals and some cleanup critters. This fish seems to be eating ok, and swimming ok, so far. No other fish have had any kind of noticeable problems.

[tims]

sounds like a parasite to me. can you put it in a qt tank?

[jwwill0]

I can if I can catch it. I just rearranged the rockwork a couple weeks ago, and I definitely don't want to pull them ALL out, but I will do what I need to I guess. My biggest concern is what to do with it once I catch it. It definitely seems like an internal parasite or bacterial problem. What are good medications to give for each case?

[tims]

not sure about that sorry maybe Jenn or one of the other will stick their head in.

[jwwill0]

Ok, I finally caught him. Had to take nearly ALL of my rock out (and that's alot of rock). Everyone else if really PO'd. I got the gramma in the qt tank. I don't think he's gonna make it. He is way worse than I thought. He was staying hidden most of the time and I couldn't see the major cysts looking stuff on his side. Any ideas anyone on a diagosis? I want to know what I am dealing with here. I have a tank full of fish to think about now.

Thanks

[Alice]

He has cysts rather than just small white dots? Are they open sores or just raised bumps?

If the abdomen is swollen and there is no evidence of worms protruding from the anus, I'd tend to think more along the lines of a bacterial infection, but what kind, I'm not sure.

[jwwill0]

It is open sores and cysts (on one side) Looks like raise bumps on the other, which is all I originally saw. It's definitely large open, nasty looking stuff on that one side. Really has me worried now. I know this one isn't going to make it, but what about the rest of my tank? No one else shows any signs of problems. Don't see any evidence of worms.

[Kevin1000]

I would treat with a strong antibiotic like kanamycin - sold as kanacyn by aquatronics. Kanamycin should be effective against both internal and external bacterial infections. I would also consider adding Pipzine which is effective against internal parasites.

[jwwill0]

Treatment in the main tank?

[Kevin1000]

No - kanacyn is a strong antibiotic and will wipe out your bio filter pronto.

[jwwill0]

Ok, do all fish need treatment? The sick one is on it's last leg, won't make it through the night. I definitely sped up it's demise with the stress of moving it. In the process, it appears that it's stomach has actually busted open. I can't be sure if this happened before or after I got it into the qt tank. I only saw it after it was in the qt

[Kevin1000]

I would not treat the other fish unless they exhibit similar signs.

[tims]

Sorry you lost him. only trat the QT tank, keep an eye on everyone else, try soaking the flake food you feed with some garlic. that might help fight off anything they might be catching if they are..