Chromis is looking bad...can I use a bucket

to QT him and medicate? I have a 5 quart bucket that I normally use to scoop water out when I am doing water changes. I haven't bought a QT yet and this chromis doesn't look so good. He looks like he has scrubbed up against a rock ALOT on one side. He started with just a small hole in his tail and I thought the chromis got him (I only have 2 and a CUC). Now his tail is a little tattered and his side looks bad.

I'm thinking fin/tail rot???:-/

I had started feeding him with some Zoe in his food. He eats fine, but just doesn't look very good. Seems to have a hard time swimming

 

Yes, you can use a bucket for a short time, but you will need a heater and a weak powerhead or airstone in it to provide heat/ oxygen.

Also, you will want to get a different bucket than one that you use for your DT. The medications can remain in the bucket after you are done and slowly leak into your tank as you use it. You want a dedicated vessel if you will be dosing anything.

The last bit of information is that you will not be able to keep them in there for more than a few days as ammonia will build up since there is no filtration.

 

http://flic.kr/p/cHCneS

http://www.flickr.com/photos/82919092@N05/7690996264/





Here are two pictures. I hope you can see the side of the fish. Its the best I can do.
Tell me what you think it is. His tail is also tattered

 

Went and got a 2.5 gallon qt. I had tank my tank apart to get him out...OUCH
Now he is in the QT. Has anyone looked at the pictures above and have any ideas? I treated with Melafix.

 

He died Not sure if he was to far gone or if he just took a turn for the worse. Makes me wonder if the meds made him worse or if me catching him made it worse. IDK
When I first put him in the QT he seemed fine. The a few hours later he was gasping for air. Then his lips were all pursed (like he was kissing) IDK what happened. *bangs head against wall*

The QT is one of those small tanks that has a filter and powehead included in the back so I didnt' have to buy extra equipment. I already had a heater and I did take one of the sponges from my 29 gallon to help with the bacteria for the tank. There was no ammonia.

 

It was probably already too late. I think it looks like a bacterial infection of some sort.

 

Just do not feel too bad. Long and short of it is that Chromis die.

They are both a hardy fish and a fish that drops like flies if that makes any sense.

Most importantly you need to start with a healthy specimen.

I would not put any fish in a newly set up QT unless I

1. Had anyone one of the ammonia binders like Prime (this is a temp fix)
2. Test the water every single day for ammonia and nitrite until the tank is full cycled.
3. Have SW made up and ready to do a water change should I see a continued trend in ammonia and nitrite.

Take the best care of your fish you can, but if you loose a Chromis along the way do not invest a lot of effort into the reason unless it was something painfully obvious.