Apistogramma owners.

[CSchmidt]

Are Apistos sensitive to any medication? I have a wild caught male Apistogramma macmasteri that has signs of a body fungus (Columnaris) that I need to quarantine.

The symptoms are on one side of his body is kind of grayish hue and has a bump by his tail. He eats good but I would like to get a head start on this if I can. I will try to get a good picture up as soon as possible. In the mean time if you have any suggestions of what this might be please chime in.

Thanks for your time.
Chris

 

[CSchmidt]

Anyone?

 

[bigbird]

Morning Chris,

I have used medication on F1 apistos and others in my tanks.
I find that they tolerate this and I always use 1/2 strength as I also have my tetras as dithers. I have used a multi cure and so far they have all survived.
It is I guess trial and error, but I would say you must try using medication otherwise the fungus will kill the fish anyway.
My suggestion is to place the fish in a quarantine tank or bucket with heater and medicate.

sorry but that is all that I would have for you from my experiences.
cheers jk :biggrin:

 

[apistobob]

I have never had a negative reaction to the use of standard medications at recommended doses.

Bob

 

[CSchmidt]

Well I started his treatment today. I set up a 10 gallon quarantine tank with a clay pot and a rock. I put a pump with an air stone for water movement and additional oxygen.

I'm starting to use Melafix to reduce the bump he has on his tail and maybe help with the fungus. I will treat for 7 days then a 25% water change and then another go with the Melafix. After that I will dose a combo of Maracyn and Maracyn II to take care of whatever the Melafix didn't.

The reason I'm doing the Melafix first is that his symptoms are really not that bad. I don't know if that is from courting with the female. So I will do baby steps first before I do anything drastic. It is only on one side of his body so that makes me believe that it might not be fungus. But better safe then sorry.

Thanks.
Chris.