Mystery ropefish disease, I need advice please

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
Could they be heater burns ? Notice the fish is could around it
Could be but should be more linear and not so rounded spots like that. Should more contact on the rope and seems odd for two or contact areas like that.
 
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Could they be heater burns ? Notice the fish is could around it
I thought so at first with the initial signs, but I don't think it is anymore. A lot of people seem to have this problem with ropefish, no one has gotten a good diagnosis :( He doesn't seem at all stressed either which seems strange, but he's now covered in little bumps, including on his face and gills.
Could be but should be more linear and not so rounded spots like that. Should more contact on the rope and seems odd for two or contact areas like that.
Bumps have gotten worse. Do you think I should move the healthy rope in case the parasite is contagious?
 
Better to treat the whole tank.
 
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I don't think PZQ is going to be that useful since it's for tapeworm (an internal parasite) and some types of flukes. The first picture kind of looks like costia. This is most likely bacterial or protozoal.

Ideally, you'd enlist the service of an aquatic veterinarian. It should be a simple matter to take a skin scrape and put it under a microscope. I've taken my fish to the vet several times with good results.
 
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I don't think PZQ is going to be that useful since it's for tapeworm (an internal parasite) and some types of flukes. The first picture kind of looks like costia. This is most likely bacterial or protozoal.

Ideally, you'd enlist the service of an aquatic veterinarian. It should be a simple matter to take a skin scrape and put it under a microscope. I've taken my fish to the vet several times with good results.
I don't think it's costia but you definitely got me on the right track, I think I have a diagnosis now. I looked up "bichir costia" and the first thread got me to here: https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/...es-bleeding-pics-disease-bruise.551781/page-3
I guess this is why we quarantine. Bichir worms... Sounds pretty nasty.
 
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Very interesting. Don't follow up the main treatment with Pimafix/Melafix like they did in one thread though. That probably killed the fish.
Yeah I'll stick with salt and pristine water for the followup :)
 
Would do a big water change prior to meds and hold feedings for a week.
 
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