firefish Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I noticed this this morning. It seems like some white stuff incrusted under some scales. Its only in one area. Its the same fish in both pics (dunno why it came out pink :-? ) What could it be? So far, i've separated her, but she still shares the same water. What should I do? Her behaviour seems normal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 It looks bloated and the scales appear to be starting to stick out so it could be dropsy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 If i was to guess i would say a bacterial infection, really don't think it is dropsy. Dropsy does not show like that on top http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Ccf ... ropsy_(Top).jpg/120px-Fish_Dropsy_(Top).jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 If you can, seperate her from the other fish, and add some salt into the water. If it doesn't help in a couple of days, try to take some more pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Ok, i'll go and fully separate her. How much salt should i add (for 1 litre) ? I've had a fish with dropsy before and its definitly not that, the scales are kinda sticking up but cos of the white stuff. I'll get my dad to try and take some pics with his good camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucid Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Could be Columnaris (Flexibacter columnaris)? Symptoms: A white cotton like fungus on the body, fins or mouth. HTH Lucid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I add about three tablespoons per 10 litres, but my fish usually live in salted water anyway, so I'd start with 1tbs for 10 litres. Make sure you use tonic salt or rock salt with no iodine or anything! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I googled columnaris and it looks similar It looks so faint in the pics but its quite obvious in real life! What should i do if its columnaris? (i'll go look at my books now tho) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I had a look in my disease book and it didn't sya how to fix it at all :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucid Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 Make sure its away from your other fish. Make sure you dont transfer the disease. (Though your other fish mainly Livebearers, will proberly already have it) Most of the time they dont survive, but dosent mean you cant try if you want. Most remedies dont seem to work though. But you can try: Treatment: First, slowly lower the temperature in the tank to 75 or 76 to slow the course of the disease. Also, since columnaris thrives in low oxygen conditions, the addition of an airstone or lowering the water level to create more splash from the filter will also help. The most effective treatment for columnaris if the fish is still eating is medicated food containing oxytetracycline. Aquatronics makes such a food, as does Zeigler. Often, however, the fish is not eating by the time symptoms are noticed. Antibiotics in the water would be the next treatment option. Erythromycin (Maracyn), nitrofurazone, nifurpirinol, acriflavine, chloramphenicol or tetracycline can be used to treat the columnaris itself. However, a fish infected with columnaris often falls prey to a secondary infection which is resistant to both of these. Therefore, a combination of Maracyn and Maracyn Two or tetracycling and kanamycin is recommended. CONTINUE TREATMENT FOR A MINIMUM OF 10 DAYS. Lucid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I've isolated her, put the temp down, and put an air stone in her container. And i'm about to put some salt in. Would meth blue or white spot cure help at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucid Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 I've isolated her, put the temp down, and put an air stone in her container. And i'm about to put some salt in. Would meth blue or white spot cure help at all? We tried all that and it held it off, but didnt cure it at all. Low temp holds it off ok. We lost any fish that had this disease though. Lucid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted September 8, 2008 Report Share Posted September 8, 2008 If it is columnaris, you're better off cutting your losses, culling the whole tank, bleaching it several times and starting from scratch. I know it sucks big time, but ask anyone on the forums who's had this, and it's really impossible to get rid of. In saying that, don't jump the gun and do it before you know what's actually wrong - you might find that she's just got an infection which is growing crazy fluff. In the meantime, as soon as any fish show signs of this, take them out of the tank. Also, make sure you take any dead fish out straight away, it's a surefire way to spread diseases. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 She's still alive. And 3 others have it too So they're in isolation too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsmith Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Aw I hope it all works out ok for you! The best you can do for them is keep the water changes up for them, and your other tank, and keep an eye on all the other fishies. You may find it's something completly different, and everything we've all been saying is just scaring you for no reason - I hope so!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim r Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 "About.com" follow aquarium,fish health,fish disease,hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Thanks for that jim r. I read on the website that columnaris can show by the fins wearing away. Does anyone know if that is columnaris if the fins are wearing away, but it has no white stuff? I've got a couple with their fins getting shorter. Should i isolate these too? (With the others i've already isolated?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucid Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 As far as we know, yup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2008 So far all the ones infected have died (2 females, 3 males) How long will it take before i know that the surviving fish aren't carrying it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefish Posted September 16, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 16, 2008 2 days ago i isolated a female guppy, she had about 25 babies today, will the babies have the diesease too? or should i take them out of isolation (and into the tank with the disease) ? Also, can my gbas catch the disease? Can i safely move them into other tanks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shannon Posted September 18, 2008 Report Share Posted September 18, 2008 sounds like its now in your aquarium and I think all your fish will have it including the baby guppies. Sorry to say but I think your gonna have to cut your loses and start over again. Bummer. Yes the bn can get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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