Tiger Barb fish has red spots on it

[newfishhobbyist]

I noticed this morning that three of my Tiger Barb fish in my 10 gallon tank have what appear to be a single red blotch on their scales. I have 6 Tiger Barb fish altogether.

Is the red blotch from fighting (i.e. blood) or is it a type of rot (tail or fin) b/c the red blotches are either near the fin or near the tail on the three fish. The other three fish are fine.

Or could it be septicemia? I did have some black ramshorn snails in the 10 gallon tank which used to have dwarf puffers in it, until I returned them to Petsmart when I decided to get Tiger Barb fish instead. And if it is septicemia, will it be contagious to me since it is a bacterial disease of the blood? If that is what the red blotches are on my Tiger Barb fish. I have no idea if its that or fin rot or what.

The three infected fish seem to be eating and swimming just fine too.

Second question, if it is fin or tail rot, do I use Fungus Clear or LifeGaurd All In One tablets for my 10 gallon tank and treat the other 3 fish who are not infected yet?

 

[Nolapete]

It could be where a scale was pulled off.

 

[Hooked Newbie]

Can you post a pic? What are the tank specs / inhabitants? They may be "bickering" due to lack of space.

 

[newfishhobbyist]

I don't have a digital camera unfortunately so I won't be able to post a pic of the 3 Tiger Barbs. But..I just decided earlier after I posted this, to treat the 10 gallon tank with 5 tablets of LifeGuard All In One anti-biotic, because that would treat the open wound if it is not septisemia.

I like the LifeGuard tablets b/c it comes with a little floatation device that you put the dissolving tablet in, that floats around the top of the tank. And I don't have to do any water changes until one day (the 6th day) after the 5 days of treatment - 1 tablet in the tank each day.

When I can afford to - I've already checked out craigslist tanks and some garage sales for tanks - I'll just buy a larger tank for the 6 Tiger Barbs.

Right now they like to hide in a cave decoration for most of the day. So I have to assume they are ill. I took the cave decoration out for all of yesterday and they swam around a lot more. Don't know why they like to cram together in that cave decoration though if they already feel cramped in the 10 gallon (if that is the case).

 

[Hooked Newbie]

I've never used the tablets so I can't comment, but it sounds like you're on the right track. I've never seen my Tiger Barbs hide (8 in a 29L) so I think that would be a cause for concern although I've read that they are not comfortable in groups smaller than 5-6. Let us know how it goes and the best of luck with everything!