Mcheuk's Tank And Filtration Setup, Experience/comments on use of pebbles Options

[MCheuk]

I didn't know where else to put these pictures, so pasted it here.

As you can see, over the past three mos, my black ranchu turned gold! I fed it him Saki Hikari fancy goldfish (purple pack) pellets and Hikari lionhead pellets but it didn't retain the black. As the senior members mentioned, these pellets have spirulina, it didn't help.






So... I guess it's all in the genes and exposure to pond/green water.

I was also told that frequent changes to the water may cause this, suppose to be the chlorine? Perhaps the Docrush or other senior members can comment...

[MCheuk]

I am doing all my updates over the past two mos because work has been too busy.

I bought another 100L tank to house my three 4 inch ranchus (two black and one red with white face). Since they were purchased at the same time, I didn't bother with the Qtank and placed them into the tank (which had been cycled for 7 days). This was in early Oct.

In third week of Oct, I decided to put one of the black ranchus into the 120L tank and move one of the ranchus into the other tank. But then noticed this blackie had an aggressive behaviour. After a wk I took him out and placed him back to the 100L tank.

Mid Nov - I notice two of my ranchus developing red dots. Wasn't sure if it was HITH. So put them in hospital tank and used JYP. After a while it turned out to be HITH!!! argh!

I was not able to rescue of the the red ranchus... sigh.
Other one is recovering after I got some medication from the dealer. Originally I used this medication called Ramical Flofenicol powder, since I am from HK, it's none of the packaging you guys have mentioned. It didn't work that well, so the dealer gave me some mystery medication (white cyrstal blocks that resembled crack). It worked.

Then in late Nov I noticed the ranchus in the 100L tank got the HITH too! WTF!

In my discussions with the dealer and his feedback from other customers, apparently there have been outbreaks depending on the which shipment of fish from Fushou.

I have attached some late staged pics of the HITH illness on one of my ranchus - she didn't make it. I am still trying to fight the battle with the other ones in the 100L tank. Note in the first picture, one of the black ones has it under its eye. They are all in the hospital tank where I have placed a filter and heater and air bublle.





Initially, I cleaned the wounds and applied H2O2. THen JYP to disinfect. After 9 days, I applied the Ramical powder... and then I lost my fish. I made 80% water changes daily. So just want to share my excitement over the past few weeks. Wish me luck with this HITH fight.

[goldrush]

Dear MCheuk

From your detailed case history,I believe that your ailment are most likely imported and you may be dealing with a virulent strain which can wreak havoc to your existing stock which have not been previously exposed.Apart from exercising optimal water parameter conditions,you have to tackle this condition systemically.Your best bet would be injectibles(vet or experienced hobbyist help needed)and these can varies from country to country(jurisdiction,availability etc)Amikacin,Baytril.Chloramphenicol,Azactam,Rocephin are some recomended antibiotics
Another option would be Tricide Neo which is an antimicrobial dip reputed to be as good as injectible(not sure if it is available in your country)

Lesions appearing on face or head areas may not be true HITH disease but just bacterial ulcer breakout with an underlying systemic ailment

[MCheuk]

Goldrush

Should I assume that my entire stock is infected at the moment? and that every fish should receive the same treatment?

I have been very vigilant with the water quality and nitrate, nitrite, PH parameters have indicated the water quality is acceptable.

Thanks

[goldrush]

Assume full contamination and do the necessary treatment with respect to the drugs available.Good luck.

[MCheuk]

Doc goldrush

Unfortunately, my stock did not make it. The contamination was too powerful and I was not able to save them.

Over the past month, I have been cycling the tank and the new batch of stock has arrived. I will share the update on a new forum.

Thanks for your guidance.

Best regards.

[gohks]

Doc goldrush

Unfortunately, my stock did not make it. The contamination was too powerful and I was not able to save them.

Over the past month, I have been cycling the tank and the new batch of stock has arrived. I will share the update on a new forum.

Thanks for your guidance.

Best regards.

Is better you understand the cause of the problem before you take in new fishes. Why is there an outbreak in your tank

[goldrush]

Dear Mcheuk

I'm sorry to hear that.New stocks should be well quarantined and ensure that you have totally disinfect your tanks,filter,tubing etc to rid off any residual contaminants before introducing the new batch.

[mickey85]

Simple - you put numerous big fish in the tank at once, after only a week to cycle (if it cycled at all - what did you do to start the cycle?). Hence, ammonia poisioning showing up as ulcers and bloody fins. The gravel has nothing to do with it. Also, the snails are a GOOD thing! They clean the gravel and save you work. If you want something to eat fish poo and old food - that is it! IF you start thinking there are too many, stick a slice of cucumber in there overnight, then pull it (and about 100 snails) out. You can easily keep them in check like this.

Also, if you put the gravel back in, put the plants back in. They help your water quality as well, eating nitrates and ammonia. Also, if you can get duckweed - it's a good thing. Toss in a bunch, and your goldies will eat it, and it will filter the water as well.

This post has been edited by mickey85: Thu, 18 Jan 2007 7:42 pm

[chochiss]

Dear Mcheuk,

I've read this thread from the start again & noticed that you fed your black ranchu Saki-Hikari Color Enhance (purple pack). As for black fishes, get the fish feed specified for non-red fishes. Saki-Hikari have another type for this blackies, it's Saki-Hikari basic (light green pack). This saki have no color enhancing content & will give your fishes almost the same amount of nutrition provided by the purple pack.

Sorry for your lost & all the best for your new arrivals.

[MCheuk]

Is better you understand the cause of the problem before you take in new fishes. Why is there an outbreak in your tank

You are right, but I was not able to diagnose the outbreak. Case made worse because I was always travelling and not able to observe the fish all the time. Based on everyone's comments, it could be viral imported from new stock, high ammonia (doubtful as I was vigilant about water quality), dorment internal virus (because all fish infected were from the Fu shou farm). I am afraid I am still learning about it and sadly, it cost me my current stock to learn.

Thanks for your comments Goldrush, Mickey85 and Chochiss

My disinfecting / cycling process: I disinfected the tank with 1/10 bleach overnight, replaced the water and added baking soda to clean the tank (as per the suggestion of the fish manager). Emptied the tank and introduced new water (added chlorine remover and BSP), let it run for a week. Then the fish manager loaned me four 2 inch Ryukins as cycling fish. They will help build up the ammonia, then nitrite and nitrate cycle. Once the tank is ready, I will return the Ryukins and introduce two new stock and will start 20 - 40% water change weekly

Thanks for advice on snails and Saki-Hikari

This discussions on this website is very informative and useful. It's good to see so many knowledgeable and caring fish lovers

[kenjione]

This is picture of my oranda set-up.


I use an undergravel filter and an overhead filter. I had to use gravel to keep the wife happy cause its in the living room and she thinks the fish look bored. If you want to use gravel again I have found the combination of the 2 very effective. As you can see in the middle is a small dish. generally my aim is good enough and the pellets land in the dish and the fish can easily find them. Its also good for refilling the tank during water changes. once again provided my aim is good.

I also find putting the gravel in boiling water during a major clean solves any problems with parasite etc living in the gravel. If you alternate between cleaning the 2 you dont need to worry about if the filter is working allowing you to worry about other problems.

Good Luck
Charles