Help please, white growth on molly

Nikkideanna2012 · Jun 17, 2018

Hi all!
Yesterday I had noticed that our balloon molly had a white fuzzy growth on the top of his dorsal fin. It wasn’t there yesterday morning that I had noticed. He is acting fine and eating and swimming still. Though I am very concerned whatever he has is going to wipe my whole tank out.

Water perimeters are good
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10-20

What could this be?
Attached some pictures.
He also seems to be a little pale.
Also his poo was white and stringy yesterday.
No other spots on him besides the top of his dorsal fin. I checked and see if it was spreading on his body but only on his fin. Also seems to be close to his gill. Other dorsal fin is fine.

Colin_T · Jun 17, 2018

I can't see anything in the pictures but if the fish has a creamy white film over its fins or body it is excess mucous produced by the fish in response to poor water quality or a protozoan infection.

Protozoan infections don't normally spread over the fins and usually attack the body, which would suggest something in the water is stressing the fish and causing it to produce more mucous than normal.

What is the pH and general hardness (GH) of the water?
If the pH is below 7.0 that will cause this.
Mollies need a GH above 250ppm and whilst soft water won't cause the fish to produce excess mucous, it can stress them.

Nikkideanna2012 · Jun 17, 2018

I circled it for you.

Ph is 7.6
High range ph tested 7.8-8.0
Which is usually what it always is
We have hard water

Colin_T · Jun 17, 2018

I would say a protozoan infection but its a bit hard to tell from that angle. Depending on what else is in the tank, you could add salt to the tank. Add 1 heaped tablespoon of rock salt, sea salt or swimming pool salt for every 20 litres of water. If you only have livebearers (mollies, swordtails, guppies & platies) in the tank you can double or triple that dose.

To work out the volume of water in the tank:
measure length x width x height in cm.
divide by 1000.
= volume in litres.

when you measure the height, measure from the top of the substrate to the top of the water level.

there is a calculator/ converter in the "How To Tips" at the top of the page that will convert litres to gallons.

If salt doesn't clear the problem up in 24-48 hours then use a broad spectrum medication containing Malachite Green & Formaldehyde.

Nikkideanna2012 · Jun 17, 2018

Colin_T said:
I would say a protozoan infection but its a bit hard to tell from that angle. Depending on what else is in the tank, you could add salt to the tank. Add 1 heaped tablespoon of rock salt, sea salt or swimming pool salt for every 20 litres of water. If you only have livebearers (mollies, swordtails, guppies & platies) in the tank you can double or triple that dose.

To work out the volume of water in the tank:
measure length x width x height in cm.
divide by 1000.
= volume in litres.

when you measure the height, measure from the top of the substrate to the top of the water level.

there is a calculator/ converter in the "How To Tips" at the top of the page that will convert litres to gallons.

If salt doesn't clear the problem up in 24-48 hours then use a broad spectrum medication containing Malachite Green & Formaldehyde.

Thank you! I just have Dalmatian mollies and 1 balloon molly. In a 20 gallon. I’m overstocked. Also one nerite snail but will move him if I treat with salt as I’ve heard that will kill them.

Nikkideanna2012 · Jun 17, 2018

I know it’s not ick though as it’s not a spot. More like a fuzzy growth and only in one spot on his fin.

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