Ok, here's the story start to finish.


It all started with a huge NitrIte spike in my 46 gal tank. Fish got stressed out, got Ick. Isolated sick fish (two out of the five total in there) in hospital tank, cured ick, also ran preventive course of tetracycline. Got nitrIte under control, re-introduced the two sickies. All seemed ok, except for one of the sick fish, my white Koi, had an injury of some sort on her side that wasn't getting any better. I came in first thing this morning, and her eyes were bugging out of her head. The other fish seem listless, so I'm using maracyn two on the whole 46 gallons.

I'm also using melafix, and have been for a couple of days now to help the injury. I'm also on day two of feeding medicated antibacterial food exclusively.

Please help. Is there anything else I can do??

Test Results for the Following:
Ammonia Level? O
Nitrite Level? O
Nitrate level? 20
Ph Level, (If possible,KH and GH and chloramines)? not sure
Ph Level out of the Tap? not sure
Tank size (How many Gals) and How long has it been running? 46 gal, running 5 wks
What is the name and size of the filter/s? Emperor 280
How often do you change the water and how much? weekly, 10-25%
How many fish in the tank and their size? three baby commons (2-3") one loach, and one very sick butterfly Koi (4") Miss China White
What kind of water additives or conditioners? dechlorinator and cycle
Any medications added to the tank? melafix, started maracyn two
Add any new fish to the tank? no
What do you feed your fish? until recently, Wardley goldfish crumbles and shrimp pellets. Algae wafers for the loach. Now I feed medicated food only
Any unusual findings on the fish such as "grains of salt",
bloody streaks, frayed fins or fungus? see above
Any unusual behavior like staying
at the bottom, not eating, ect..? see above

Fishmerized?? Toothelss?? Koko?? help

Hi,sorry to hear about your probs.
The very first thing that I want to mention is the fact that for the size of your tank and the amount of your fish,your filter's not capable of keeping up with all the fish load-which will always cause problems in the long run. I also think that your water changes aren't as big as they should be for the amount/type of fish that you do have. Commons/Comets need at least 15 -20 gals,and truthfully,Koi should be only kept in a pond.They just do not fit in any aquarium that most people have in their homes.
As for the Popeye,do you have a heater on this tank? If so, I would slowly raise the temps up to at least 78 ,and continue to treat with the Maracyn II,and feeding the fish the medicated foods..Keep an eye on those water params also-for poor water quality keeps the Meds from doing their best. Are you seeing any other symptoms along with this-any swelling/red spots/clamped fins,etc?

Thanks Devs

The Koi's moving to a pond eventually, I just want her to get a little bigger and healthier before I do that.

I don't have a heater, but since I use incandescent lighting, the water is usually quite warm (bordering on 27C) almost all the time.

As for swelling, etc. her side that she scraped (?) while she had Ick got all red and swelly, but I think it's getting better. There are a few scales sticking out around this area, but I think that's from the swelling.

All fish are eating well and active as of tonight. Water paramaters haven't changed.

My baby koi has been sick with one ailment or another for weeks now. First it was ick, then she hurt herself scratching and it got infected, then she got popeye. Now she has dropsy so bad she looks like a tiny white bug-eyed pinecone! She's not eating despite all my best efforts treating with everything I know (Melafix, Maracyn Two, Coppersafe, medicated foods etc.) Water quality is perfect.

She's simply not improving. Any suggestions on anything else to do, or is it best to just let this one go?

I'm merging this because there's a thread allready going on in Diagnosis.It's in your best interest to keep all running information together.

Fair enough, Devs.

Anyway, I'm about to go get some clove oil now.
She's swimming all over the place, flashing. darting, etc... then she'll stop dead for a few seconds and then snap out of it. I can't let the poor thing go on like this...

MD