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Hey Sherrie,

I'd leave him in the 3 gallon... and I as mentioned before... empty all the contents of the filter so that it doesn't try to cycle anymore. Removing the cartridge and adding fresh sponge will still encourage the tank to cycle (and actually make matter worse as you have even less of the good bacteria colony now)... and b/c this is just a hospital tank anyway (with unstable water params)... it's best to just not let it cycle at all, and let him be in super-pristine water so he can heal. Running the filter empty is just for aeration purposes only.

Doing weekly 100% waterchanges involves removing the fish and emptying the water completely and thoroughly rinsing the tank, decorations and gravel, and refilling the tank with fresh, same temperature, dechlorinated water (preferably letting the water sit out first for a while so the tiny bubbles dissipate). In this case, monitoring for poo would be easier without any gravel (and it would make the 100% waterchanges that much easier).

If he is passing poo and not bloated... then you can stop the fasting you started on Monday by feeding him a tiny piece of frozen/thawed/shelled pea tomorrow morning.

As for checking for velvet, the "dusting" is sometimes hard to see so we also look at other symptoms that include lethargy, lack of appetite, clamped fins and possibly rubbing against objects in the tank.

I'm hoping he gets better too, Sherrie... you're among people here who understand the attachment to our "wet pets", so your concern is far from silly around here...

Michele

*edited to clarify

Hey again, Sherrie,

Actually... I was hoping that you would do the 100% waterchange asap... we REALLY need to get that ammonia down to 0. 2.0 is just going to make him sicker, and counteract the meds (meaning any of the meds won't be as effective).

If you did a 100% waterchange immediately (as well as remove ALL the filter media so you're just running the filter for aeration purposes, and remove the gravel)... you can redose the antibiotic, since all of the med is being removed. I spoke with Ash... you should be able to use an antiparasitic med (Maracide or RidIch+) to treat the suspected velvet alongside the Furan 2 without any interaction.

Do a complete round of Furan 2 without skipping any days. It's best to dose at the same time each dosing day (the meds can also be dosed together at the same time although RI+ is dosed daily). It sounds like F2 is administered every 48hrs... so make sure you time your waterchanges to be done right before a dosing is due. Use the Maracide or RI+ (antiparasitic) for a minimum of 10 days, or 3 days past the last of the symptoms have disappeared.

Good luck!

Michele

RidIch+ should be fine, Sherrie. T's recommendations are a precaution as it is a bit stronger than Maracide. As well... with RI+, each dose needs to be preceeded with a 25% waterchange (this is per the directions on the bottle itself).

You're doing everything you can... I hope he gets better too... but the not-eating (for a while) isn't a good sign, sadly.

Keeping good thoughts for him...

Michele

Hey Sherrie,

In order to do the waterchanges when you need to, and without removing some of the meds too soon... you should dose them all at the same time.

Helping him pass is really a personal decision... one guideline we do recommend is to not euthanize a fish that is still eating. With your mollie not eating... and for some time... the decision may be a bit easier for you.

We do recommend clove oil as the most humane method as well as it being easily accessed (most pharmacies and/or health food stores carries it). Here is our thread on the subject, which includes directions, if you decide to go this route.

Sending big hugs your way...

Michele