sick Allanbatrachus

Dear Professor
I keep for nearly a year now Allanbatrachus grunniens, at least that is according to a key i found from D Greenfield would i presume it is. These fish are kept by atleast two German hobbyist in pure fresh water. The origin of the fish suggests though that they at least in parts lives in Braak water. I keep mine in semi braak at a temp of 25C
For some time now two of the fish are covered in this yellow coat. At the beginning I thought this is shedded skin. This was also by one of the other keepers suggested. Yesterday I lost one of the fish and the second is now also very thin and staved.
Any suggestion what this could be

 

Hi Guido,

Your poor fish really look as though they are in trouble with that thick coat of slime. Fish react to infections caused by a number of external parasites in this way and the infection in broad terms is referred to as "sliminess of the skin". This can be caused by:
1. Costia
2. Trichodina
3. Chilodinella

Skin flukes and Ich can also cause these problems. My advice would be to use a remedy against external parasites such as Waterlife Protozin or a similar remedy.

What is very clear to me though is that these fishes are sick and that you need to treat them or else you will loose the last one as well.

I hope that they will improve.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Thank you very much for the quick and practical/ helpful answer.
Would it be adviseble and still possible if I send the dead /frozen fish to a pathological institute for a diagnose.
Thank you again

 

Hi Guido,

There are very few good fish pathologists in South Africa. The only one that I can recommend is Dr Anna Mouton, who works for the abalone industry in Hermanus. She may be able to do a diagnosis, but you will have to deliver the fish to her. The bad thing is that it will not bring the fish back to life. If you need her contact details send me a PM.

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Angel fish Anna?

 

Henk?:bigsmile:

 

Yes, Henk,

that is the right Anna!

Kind regards,

Dirk

 

Man she can churn out angel fish at one hell of a rate