bala sharks have spots on them

Cindy

I have no clue as to the amonia levels...I have taken the water down to the pet store for testing and they said levels were okay...I will have to research a local reputable fish store in town. I took the cd to the pet store today with pics of my fish...they said looks ok...I KNOW BETTER....these fish look and behave differrently than day 1 at home...Plus appetite changes and all...I think they just don't want the hassle of helping me. Hopefully I am wrong. They are the ones who help me set my tank system up and helped pick the fish for my 10 gallon tank...(aprox 24 wide and 15 deep) He said that if it is on the body then it's probably a fin fungus and recommended "Pimafix" by API...anti fungal fish remedy..directions say 1 tsp daily for 7 days... I will try anything as long as it doesn't hurt my fish any more...they also said they do not take fish back even for healing and will not even give store credit to me. I feel stressed myself because I worry they are in pain and can't bear that.

bettababy

If you want to know how accurate this LFS is giving for information, ask them to tell you about the bala sharks. Ask how big they get, what they need to live, etc etc... sounds to me like THEY don't know.
As for the PimaFix, wait before spending your money, let me make sure that is something safe for the balas. I do know that most common medications are not able to be used for balas because of a sensitivity to them. Balas are in the "silver fish" category when it comes to medicating, and that can make things hard.
Your image isn't showing up, and when I tried to copy/paste the image, the link says there is nothing there. Can you email the pic to me at bettababy@hotmail.com please? In the subject, just put "bala pic" and I'll get back to you with a proper medication for the problem. After all of this, I'd hate to see you lose the fish.
I would also suggest looking for a new LFS, and to really do your research next time before actually spending any money at this one. It is obvious to me that they not only don't know what they're doing/talking about, but their policies for returns, refunds, replacements is also a bit "off". I would stay out of that place if possible, as they're likely to only worry about taking your money. It's unfortunate, but it happens a lot in this industry.
I'm curious about why they would suggest that specific medication for a fish they obviously don't know anything about? :(

xingumike

ok here goes..... Cindy is having trouble posting the pics she has so im gonna give it a whirl....






thats the best i can do, at least its worked.. 2 of the photos are labelled the same so i have to link to one... i hope this works

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q.../fishspot3.jpg

Cindy

WOW!!!! Thank goodness someone other than me is in here...tried..& tried...couldn't get it..Thank you so much for your help...now, maybe solutions to help my babies....I really really want them to live.

xingumike

glad i could help....

sorry i dont know the answer!!

bettababy

Cindy,
Check your email, I have sent you instructions for medicating the balas. For everyone else's benefit, let me repeat it here...
The medication to use is called Maroxy, please don't use PimaFix... it will likely kill the sharks. PimaFix is for parasite issues, which this doesn't appear to be. At most, from what the pictures show, it is missing scales, which shouldn't be too harmful and should grow back on their own. The maroxy will help to ensure that no infection sets in while the fish heal. Be sure to remove the carbon while medicating, and I would medicate for 5 days, with a daily water exchange of 25% before adding each new day's dosage.

JouteiMike

It's too bad to hear that the fish store gave you such poor advice on choosing the fish and tank, but I'm glad you're off to a good start on fixing the problems.

Another thing I'm curious about is what kind of filtration do you have on this 10 gallon tank? And how often to you do water changes and how much do you take out?

Cindy

I do a patial water change..aproximately 3-5 gallons...every week. the water seems to get pretty cloudy by then, and white spider webbish stuff across the gravel..I use the gravel vac, pull out the rnaments and scrub them off in hot water...then add back more water...add my aqua plus water conditioner...my cycle and a packet of Ph 7.0 and some aquarium salt...I have hard tap water...I use an Aqua Clear 20 power filter with the bio max rocks/carbon bag/foam filter meant for a 20gallon tank (the 10gallon filter didn't cut it)....I also put a water pillow in the filter water that I recharge every 2 days with the aquarium salt.
Today, I see my fish swimming up and down the walls of my tank...I dont think this is a good sign...Bettababy gave soem good advice on the medication, I am trying that today. I really appreciate everyone's help on this. You are all so friendly! :D

JouteiMike

Just be sure not to add too many chemicals to the water...and don't forget to remove the carbon from your filter prior to medicating.

Keep us posted on the progress and if you have any trouble, or the Sharks get worse.

I am REALLY hoping they end up in a bigger tank soon. If they stay in that 10 gallon, their growth will be stunted leading to internal problems, and they will be heavily stressed out, making them prone to even more kinds of disease.

Cindy

Thanks...I will keep you posted ...keep your fins crossed :D