Re: [Killietalk] Help! SJOs with dropsy?

["Ron @ FAR EAST" <ronwill at starhub_net.sg>]

From: LeeH920226 at aol_com 
> Looks like dropsy. Cause unknown, cure unknown. The good news is
> it doesn't seem to be highly contagious.
Lee, I've heard and read online contradicting information.  Some say
it's contagious, some not and I'm confused.  All info however, advise
isolation but treatment is usually useless. <sigh>
===================================================================

From: Odispigna at aol_com
> As far as the UV, you may want to check the flow rate, if water
> passes too quickly the UV doesn't have time to do its job.
Olympia (or is that DiSpigna?),
Water return from the sump, through the UV and to the tanks, is
controlled/reduced by a bleed-valve because the Eheim 1060 is still too
powerful.  I'm aware of the flow-rate issue and have reduced it to a
very mild flow.

The 'bleed-valve' is at the front of my DIY sump (last pic at the
bottom) and is seen as a white L-shaped PVC thingie.  For a better idea
of the recirculating system, please look at the link;
http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/fishz/tanks/4tier_woodrack.html

> You may also want to check the bulbs, see if they are still working,
> and also see if 5 watts are enough for your system.
The UV unit was bought new and in service for about 2 months, I think,
and bulb should be functioning.
===================================================================

From: Wright Huntley <whuntley at verizon_net>
> Yep, it is dropsy.
Wright, how did you figure that... by the popping scales or is there a
visual indication that I missed?

> The level of contagiousness (there's a better word, but I forget it)
> is highly dependent on the causative organism and varies from low to
> extremely high.
D*mn... how am I to fight something I can't see or not know?

> Best bet is quarantine and zap with a powerful antibiotic,
> like furanace.
If I can find it at the LFS, I will. BUT is furanace a 'friendly' to
bio, plants, shrimps and snails? (I'll remove/quarantine those which are
not tolerant to the treatment).
 
> Please don't use a common human antibiotic, please?
I'm aware of that. Thanks.
===================================================================

From: Charles Harrison <Charles at inkmkr_com>
> When was the last time you changed their water? How much of it do
> you routinely change?
Charles, I just changed 70% of water over the weekend and missed two
before that, attending to family matters.  I try to be diligent with
water changes but on average, it's weekly or twice a month.

> If the distress has not gone too far, you might bring the patient
> around by putting him in fresh water, but the cure rate is not
> favorable.
I lost a Ap. EXO female mid last week.  Isolated in aged tap water but
she didn't make it either.

===================================================================

From: "Tranquility Base" <TranquilityBase at netzero_net>
> Treat with Kanamiacin (strongest safe dosage). The fish that already
> have the symptoms will usually not recover. But you have a chance to
> stop the spread.
RJ, I did a Google on 'Kanamiacin' and the 2 hits points back to your
reference in KT's archives.

Could you be referring to 'Kanamycin'?  According to one site
(http://fishstoretn.com/kanamycin.html), it's a 
"broad spectrum antibiotic useful in the treatment of gram-negative AND
gram-positive bacteria. Effective against Aeromonas, Pseudomonas,
Myxobacteria and conditions such as fin & tail rot and mouth fungus.
Also helpful against Hemorrhagic Septicemia when mixed with food."

What I couldn't help noticing was a related item, Erythromycin, which I
have in the fridge (used it sparingly to treat Blue Green Algae, which
is not algae in the first place!).  However the product description
states, "Erythromycin is a bacteriostatic antibiotic whose activity is
directed mainly against gram-positive bacteria. It has demonstrated
activity against certain gram-negative bacteria including those which
cause fin & tail rot, gill disease, and molly disease."

Question is... can Erythromycin be used in a hurry? (Wright, I'm
confused further... isn't Erythromycin a 'common human antibiotic'??)

> My oversight could have been very costly if I had moved those fry
> to larger quarters or accidentally broken my usual tank to tank
> quarantine procedures.
Oh shoot... that reminds me... I was slack on quarantine and introduced
4 male Chrom alphas.  3 'expired' for unexplained reasons, and that was
when my Ap. PRI 'Kanda' GJS 00/18 started konking off.

Excuse me while I go AAAAAaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggghhhhHHHH !!!  But thanks to
all who've responded, I'll check up later on where I can get Furanace
and Kanamycin.

Regards,
Ronnie Lee
Singapore

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