channa aurantimaculata disease help plz

[kardaloria]

I have a 38 cm Channa Auranti that I've had for 9 months. Based on the seller's recommendation, I kept it in a 120 x 45 x 45 cm tank. Until a few months ago, the fish was kept without a chiller and remained in a temperature range of 27 to 28.5°C for about two weeks to a month. During that time, I was feeding it up to 10 Hikari Jumbo Sticks per day, with one rest day each week, but the fish started to develop a hunch and experienced a loss of appetite. After about three days of not eating, its appetite returned to normal, but the body curvature remained and even worsened.

Since then, for the past four months, the fish has been kept at a temperature of 24 to 26°C with the help of a chiller. Aslo i fed him about 2 to 3 hikari jumbo sticks per day with one day rest in a week and occasionally fed hum with raw shrimps about 2 in a week.Throughout these nine months, I’ve done 30% water changes every 7 to 10 days, and the TDS has been maintained between 300 and 350. No sudden changes in its environment have occurred, and nitrate levels have always been kept below 20.

In the last month, the fish's body curvature has worsened significantly, and it is not opening his caudal fin, which drags on the gravel. However, it still responds to humans and generally seems to be in good health, although it appears depressed. It hasn’t shown interest in food for the past 8 days.

We decided to add 1 gram of Epsom salt per 10 liters of water, but after 24 hours, there was no feces at the bottom of the tank. Yesterday, I added another dose and reduced the water level to 70%, thinking it might help the fish breathe more easily. additionally, no sign of any bacterial or fungal disease in his appearance. unfortunately i dont have access to channa specialist in my country and i am pretty desperate.
i ordered a 180 in 60 and 55 cm height aquarium and it will be ready in 3 weeks i don't want to lose him .
I am not allowed to post links in the forum, but I’ll try to upload a photo and video of the fish. I would really appreciate your help.
i wish i could post video for you for investigation...

 

[Malayan Beast Keepers]

Many aurantis happen to have this problem after some years. My auranti didn't have a hunch as bad as this but when i realized i reduced water level to only up to 9 inches height, started water change every 3 days with salt treatment, maintained water temperature 26-28*, feed only live baby carps and poured API melafix every twice a month. There is no guarantee that fish may recover from this. This may also be permanent for the fish, be strong.

 

[AR1]

First of all, welcome to MFK.

Thanks for sharing all the details; I can see how much you care about your Channa Auranti. Based on what you've described, it sounds like you're doing a lot right, but there might be a few things to consider:

1. Body Curvature: The hunch could be related to nutritional issues or environmental stress. Overfeeding or feeding too many jumbo sticks might have contributed, as these fish need a varied diet. Incorporating more raw shrimp and other proteins could help. In the future, you might want to switch up its diet with live food, insects, or other natural prey to mimic its natural feeding habits.
2. Temperature: It’s great that you’ve adjusted the temperature, as keeping it at 24–26°C is more in line with what Channa species typically prefer. But long-term exposure to higher temps in the past might have caused some damage. Keeping it steady now is crucial.
3. Epsom Salt: You’ve already added Epsom salt, which is a good step. If there’s no improvement, though, I’d recommend not continuing with salt beyond a couple more days, as prolonged exposure can stress the fish out.
4. Tail Behavior: The dragging tail is concerning and could indicate weakness or even internal issues. It's tough without access to a specialist, but you might want to check for any underlying skeletal or neurological issues. While it doesn’t sound like a bacterial infection (since you’re seeing no external signs), you could monitor for any subtle changes.
5. Upcoming Tank: The new tank sounds like a good upgrade. Once it’s ready, the extra space could help the fish feel less stressed, which might improve its behavior and tail movement. Just be mindful during the transfer, as it’s already in a delicate state.

In the meantime, lowering the water level (as you did) might make it easier for the fish to breathe and reduce stress. Keep the water parameters stable, continue monitoring closely, and try to upload that photo/video if possible. It could help others give more specific advice.

I know this is a tough situation, but it sounds like you’re doing everything you can. Hang in there, and keep us posted!

I am tagging a few additional members who have either kept snakehads or have experience with different fish diseases.
jjohnwm , tlindsey , kno4te

 

[tlindsey]

First of all, welcome to MFK.

Thanks for sharing all the details; I can see how much you care about your Channa Auranti. Based on what you've described, it sounds like you're doing a lot right, but there might be a few things to consider:

1. Body Curvature: The hunch could be related to nutritional issues or environmental stress. Overfeeding or feeding too many jumbo sticks might have contributed, as these fish need a varied diet. Incorporating more raw shrimp and other proteins could help. In the future, you might want to switch up its diet with live food, insects, or other natural prey to mimic its natural feeding habits.
2. Temperature: It’s great that you’ve adjusted the temperature, as keeping it at 24–26°C is more in line with what Channa species typically prefer. But long-term exposure to higher temps in the past might have caused some damage. Keeping it steady now is crucial.
3. Epsom Salt: You’ve already added Epsom salt, which is a good step. If there’s no improvement, though, I’d recommend not continuing with salt beyond a couple more days, as prolonged exposure can stress the fish out.
4. Tail Behavior: The dragging tail is concerning and could indicate weakness or even internal issues. It's tough without access to a specialist, but you might want to check for any underlying skeletal or neurological issues. While it doesn’t sound like a bacterial infection (since you’re seeing no external signs), you could monitor for any subtle changes.
5. Upcoming Tank: The new tank sounds like a good upgrade. Once it’s ready, the extra space could help the fish feel less stressed, which might improve its behavior and tail movement. Just be mindful during the transfer, as it’s already in a delicate state.

In the meantime, lowering the water level (as you did) might make it easier for the fish to breathe and reduce stress. Keep the water parameters stable, continue monitoring closely, and try to upload that photo/video if possible. It could help others give more specific advice.

I know this is a tough situation, but it sounds like you’re doing everything you can. Hang in there, and keep us posted!

I am tagging a few additional members who have either kept snakehads or have experience with different fish diseases.
jjohnwm , tlindsey , kno4te

Thanks for the tag but unfortunately don't have any experience with that channa species.

 

[kno4te]

Not sure about channa either since we don’t keep any in the US. Other keepers have retired or left the forum. D -DC- Madou . But I think it’s an injury.

 

[kardaloria]

I think this issue developed gradually in the fish. No physical trauma has occurred. Yesterday, it ate a few gut-loaded mealworms, and today, it easily ate two more. I hope I can get permission to upload a video to better show you its condition.