angelfish blues

[shipfitter_sjd]

Hi,

I am a "newbie".

Tank: 10 gallons
Tank mates: gouramis (2); barbs (3); bottom feeders (2).
Water parameters: None
New fish added: None
No water treatments or chemicals added.
Water temp: 72 degrees F
Spring water added as necessary, tank cleaned as necessary, filter replaced as necessary.....fish have been living together in this tank about a year.

Hopefully I have answered all the preamble requirements.

My angelfish (black) has recently started getting white spots on different parts of it's body as well as on the trailing edges of various fins. What is this? What can I do to stop it and restore my angelfish's appearance?

Thank you.

Steve aka shipfitter_sjd

 

[living_dead]

Sounds like ich. Just get some meds for it. Hope you catch it in time. ALso bring the temp up to help kill the virus.

 

[shipfitter_sjd]

Hi,

Thank you for your reply. It gave me a direction to search on the web and it sounds like your diagnosis is right on!

I copied the following from this web site: http/www.algone.com/fish_diseases.htm

It has a lot of good information on diseases and their symptoms and treatment.

Tomorrow I am off to the store to find the CURE!

Thanks again,

Steve

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Ichthyophthirius (ICH)

Symptoms:
The entire body of the fish including the fins and gills are effected. White spots can be seen with the bare eye. The appearance of these spots is often compared to salt grains. Eventually the skin will get slimy and the fish will rub its body against rocks and decorations. The fish will close its fins, get thinner and less and less active.

Cause:
Ich is caused by an organism called "Ichthyophthirius multifiliis". The life span of this parasite consists of three stages. 1. Growth - The organisms attach to the fishes' skin. 2. Cyst - After dropping to the bottom of the tank the organisms divide while protected by a gelatin-like covering. 3. Infectious - The divided spores seek for a new host.

Treatment:
Ich is a highly infectious disease and should be treated immediately. If Ich is detected, it is best to treat the entire aquarium due to its highly infectious nature (vs. treating individual fish in a hospital tank). There are many different products and your local fish store should be able to help you with the recommendation of a medication as well as treatment instructions.