TB quandary

[scruffy]

OK. I admit it now, I’ve got TB in my tanks. So far I don’t have that many that have symptoms. I have one guppy that’s definitely acquired a crooked spine after spending time with some emaciated fish that died. She is in my 20 gallon along with a lot of fry. Recently I moved a couple of the bigger babies to my 42 hex, so all of them have been exposed.

I have no desire to euthanize any fish including the crooked guppy, who is eating and keeping a little weight on, in spite of her condition. I know she’ll never be ramrod straight again, but I am considering a couple of measures as a preventative to keep the other fish from getting sick.

1. buy some Kanacyn and vitamin 6 (and some garlic for flavor) and medicate all of the food for 30 days.
2. separate the tubercular guppy and any other sick looking fish, breaking the tanks down and disinfecting the glass and gravel and putting the healthy fish back in new water.
3. separating the sick fish, doing a series of big water changes, and vacuuming the gravel thouroughly each time.

I know I am going to mess up my cycle in any case, but since our water (the best tasting in the US) has ammonia in it, and I just found out about it (see my other posts), I’m used to lots of water changes. My main concern are the young mollies. I have tons and tons of them with more to come.I had been giving them to a pet store after a couple months. I really don’t feel right about this if I am going to create an epidemic. I am really embarrassed about this and my anti-euthenasia feelings, but I would like some feedback or other ideas if any one has them.

S

[SkarloeysMom]

Don't be embarrased about this. Anyone can get a fish with TB. I've had TB in my tanks before and got it the same way you did - from some guppies. I've done a lot of research all over the net about TB and from what I've read and my own experience I can give you some suggestions.

I don't think the #1 choice will actually solve anything since truly the only way to possibly cure TB is to inject the fish with antibiotics. It has to be a fish you can actually hold and this method doesn't always work either.

My personal belief is that #2 is overkill but you could do if it makes you feel safer. From my research many fish can carry TB and never show symptoms until they are stressed or get old. So if that is the case, no amount of cleaning can guarantee that you won't end up with more TB. Some fish are more susceptible to TB than others, Livebearers are in that catagory unfortunately. There are others too but I've forgotten.

#3 is what I did but I had to euthanize some fish because it was obvious to me that they were very sick. I held off on euthanizing and separated some that had crooked spines but were still eating and seemed fine. They were White Clouds that were quite old. They held on for a while but in the end I had to euthanize them too. I haven't had any TB since. I did clean out the tank they were in and cycled it again but I didn't do any extra sanitizing, just hot water.

Sorry you're having to deal with this. It is a total bummer but don't give up. You'll get through it.

[scruffy]

The fish passed away this afternoon, I buried her in back of the house. Thank you for your kindness and helpful advice. I don't suspect that's the last I'll see of TB. There's another guppy I've been keeping an eye on. Hopefully she stays healthy.
S

[gm72]

I agree that there is no reason to be embarrassed. TB is not uncommon in mass-produced fish and is difficult to deal with. Otherwise agreed with SkarloeysMom.

[SkarloeysMom]

The fish passed away this afternoon, I buried her in back of the house. Thank you for your kindness and helpful advice. I don't suspect that's the last I'll see of TB. There's another guppy I've been keeping an eye on. Hopefully she stays healthy.
S

So sorry you lost your fish. Hope your other guppy is OK.