L134 - odd one out

[taybelZ]

Hi guys, need some advise urgently. I recently aquired some L134 from a reputable source, they have been in my tank for 3 weeks now and i noticed yesterday one of them doesnt seem to hide like the others. Its pale, and looks like it has been attacked by another tankmate and on closer inspection had a slightly sunken belly.

There is no ammonia, nitrates around 20ppm. (will test PH this weekend)
There is 10 x L134, and 10 rummy nose tetras.

The details are as follows:

200L tank
temp 28degrees
Filteration eheim 2215 + UV sterilisier, and also fluval internal filter (1000litres per hour)


I put the fish in a fry saver 24hrs ago, and put some hikari algae disc and zukini soaked in garlic but it didn't eat any overnight... i'm concerned that it will eventually starve to death. I do not suspect its anything water related, as the others come out to feed quite eagerly at night when food is dropped in and look quite healthy.

Any suggestions or actions on what I can do to give it the best chance at survival, as its saddens to have any animal pass away.

David

[taybelZ]

Also, the tank has plenty of driftwood and hiding spots. (will upload photos tomorrow) - i was suggested by a LFS that they do not like strong current. And that the fluval internal filter (1000L.ph) was too strong for the fish - particularly for the babies I have (4cms~)

[DJ-don]

i'm guessing parasitic infection from inside its system my common pleco got the same and i checked with the local store that it had a parastic infection i think the infection might cause it not to eat as much or not eat any food. maybe it is because of the pain
i'm not really sure but i think its a parasite

[apistomaster]

Are your L134 recently imported wild caught specimens?
I know some Australian L134 are tank raised and those rarely get sick but the wild imports always come already infested with fluke and nematodes.
I routinely treat my new imports in a quarantine tank for a couple of weeks. I use a combination of praziquantel, flubendazole and metronidazole plus keep them warm. 86*F to 88*F.
Provide extreme aeration and use a well established sponge filter.
I lost entire batches of them before I began using this method about five years ago.

You should feed them animal based high protein food. I use live black worms, frozen blood worms and earth worm sticks as their primary diet. Even with treatment, specimens with very hollow bellies have a poor prognosis. Even if the rest of them appear to be fine, I would still treat them. Delayed losses are another part of the syndrome and it is much easier to successfully treat strong specimens which still have good appetites; the success rate is much higher.

[taybelZ]

Hi there, no they are locally bred stock. I noticed the fish had passed some poo dark colour (digesting the driftwood i imagine) its was a short piece maybe 3mm long. Have introduced some blackworms into the fry saver for the fish, and will see how it goes overnight. The fish seems quite pale (stressed i imagine being in a fry saver).

However, i have provided wood for him to hide in, which i noticed he predominately hides in.

Fingers crossed.