Paralized Panther Grouper

Pirates_Gold · #1 03-22-2012, 07:34 PM

Initial thoughts are Flukes, primarily due to the rapid breathing. Other symptoms might include redenning of skin, flashing and sunken belly. Try a freshwater dip (same temperature & pH as aquarium water) for 5-10 minutes. Osmotic shock will cause most parasites to detach its host. If there is a heavy infestaion, do not dip too long as it can cause additional damage to the Grouper. Return the fish to your aquarium and check the freshwater container for small, translucent flat parasites. If you find Flukes or other Trematode parasites, you may need to treat the entire system with a product called Prazi-Pro.

swill · #2 03-22-2012, 08:17 PM

He's been like this for about a month, no better or worse. I will have to do some research on everything that is being posted here as I have never heard of most of things being suggested (besides freshwater dip)

Thanks for the response so far.

swill · #3 03-22-2012, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pirates_Gold

Initial thoughts are Flukes, primarily due to the rapid breathing. Other symptoms might include redenning of skin, flashing and sunken belly. Try a freshwater dip (same temperature & pH as aquarium water) for 5-10 minutes. Osmotic shock will cause most parasites to detach its host. If there is a heavy infestaion, do not dip too long as it can cause additional damage to the Grouper. Return the fish to your aquarium and check the freshwater container for small, translucent flat parasites. If you find Flukes or other Trematode parasites, you may need to treat the entire system with a product called Prazi-Pro.

He did have what looked like bloody skin awhile back just before he started acting like this actually, not sure about the sunken belly...what is flashing?

daniella3d · #4 03-22-2012, 08:34 PM

I doubt it's flukes. I had to deal many times with fluke on marine and freshwater fish and that never caused them to lose balance.

Flashing is scratching on side of rock and objects. I don't see it breathing fast. Often a fish infected with flukes will breath from only one side and very very fast, at least that's what hapened with most of my fish that were contaminated with flukes.

Prazipro is a good med to try anyway because if he's got a blockage in the intestine from worms it will take care of it. It is reef safe as well. I used it to cure my copperband from flukes and it did not dammage to my corals or invert in the tank, not even my feather dusters and not even the flat worms.

It does clear any internal worms as well as flukes. Can't hurt to treat.

What keep a fish in balance is its swim bladder. If this is not working properly the fish will not be able to float, or will lose balance. It is difficult to treat. Sometime it start with an infection and it heal but it can be permanent dammage as well.

If he's like that for a month, chances are that the infection is gone, if it was due to an infection. If it is due to internal parasites, then Prazipro and metronidazole should help.

You could treat with prazipro and soak the food in metronidazole. That's what I would do.

Quote:

Originally Posted by swill

He did have what looked like bloody skin awhile back just before he started acting like this actually, not sure about the sunken belly...what is flashing?

swill · #5 04-03-2012, 03:22 PM

So far we have tried a fresh water dip and gave him epsom salt and still no real difference in his behavior. I don't see him eat now though which maybe because of the fresh water dip. We're ordered some Prazi-Pro and metronidazole from online but of course have to wait for it to come in

the joys of living in such a small town.

I will post again when and if anything changes. I've never had a fish survive this long who is clearly sick, I wish I would have acted quicker but I just assumed he was going to die at the beginning of all this.

Snaz · #6 04-03-2012, 04:09 PM

Best to end it's misery I think. As stated it is swim bladder problems or something else affecting it's balance. In the wild it would be crab food by now, harsh I know but a fish that does not swim is sad.

swill · #7 04-04-2012, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snaz

Best to end it's misery I think. As stated it is swim bladder problems or something else affecting it's balance. In the wild it would be crab food by now, harsh I know but a fish that does not swim is sad.

He is starting to come around to be honest with you. Why would you just kill it because it is sick when there is a way to maybe cure him. Would kill your dog because he is sick with out seeing if there is something you can do for him. I have been hand feeding him he is getting stronger everyday now. Thanks for bluntness but I don't think you should be giving advice as you obviously don't think a fishes life has value. That's is all!

Casey8 · #8 04-04-2012, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swill

He is starting to come around to be honest with you. Why would you just kill it because it is sick when there is a way to maybe cure him. Would kill your dog because he is sick with out seeing if there is something you can do for him. I have been hand feeding him he is getting stronger everyday now. Thanks for bluntness but I don't think you should be giving advice as you obviously don't think a fishes life has value. That's is all!

God bless you for thinking of the value for the animal's life, swill. Hope with your effort and with your good heart, this fish will pull through.

#9 04-04-2012, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swill

He is starting to come around to be honest with you. Why would you just kill it because it is sick when there is a way to maybe cure him. Would kill your dog because he is sick with out seeing if there is something you can do for him. I have been hand feeding him he is getting stronger everyday now. Thanks for bluntness but I don't think you should be giving advice as you obviously don't think a fishes life has value. That's is all!

If my dog was paralyzed and had to be handfed for over a month to remain alive - yes, I would have it euthanized. No offence but I think you have lost consideration for what is quality of life....and by your own admission the fish appeared so sick you never thought it would survive more than a day or 2. Perhaps you ought to reconsider criticizing someone else's morals and ethics and reflect on your own first.

dunl · #10 04-03-2012, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swill

We're ordered some Prazi-Pro and metronidazole from online but of course have to wait for it to come in

Go to your vet and ask for metronidazole, but you need to explain what it is for and how you are using it. Ask to talk to the actual vet, not one of the front desk staff. They should carry it, but they use it for another purpose, not aquatic.