Brownish spots on Sunset Variatus

[McDLT]

It's a fairly new tank - waited 2 and half weeks before adding fish. 10 gallon (38 litre) tank. I did do lots of research before getting fish all are small. The only problem I had was at the pet store. The first one we went to had a new person on and didn't know what they were doing. We asked for 4 Sunset and got 3 and a Platy; asked for 4 Pearl Danios and got a 2 and a Zebra, and a neon tetra. Didn't notice the tetra (very small). We didn't look that closely once she got the fish because it took her so long and we just wanted to get out of there (2 kids in tow as well). So a few days later we went out to a different pet store (better) and got some more tetras and matched up the others.

3 Sunset Variatus
2 Platys (mickey mouse face on tail)
4 Neon Tetras
2 Zebra Danios
2 Pearl Danios

I noticed brown spots on Sunsets a couple days after I got them. I thought maybe it was just some marking but kept an eye on them. After 3 weeks I noticed spots on others and they were scratching (rubbing on the rocks).

At about this same time, I noticed one neon tetra had Ich (from the better pet store), so thought it might be a good idea to look at some medicine. After reading all about it, I choose Merdel Maracide (it covers Ich and other external parasites - which the Sunset may have).

Anyway tomorrow is the last treatment day for it. The Ich is all cleared up (2nd day of treatment) but now all the fish, except the Tetras are scratching and hanging out on the bottom. Ughh.

We tested the water before hand. Everything was within exceptable paramenters, although maybe a bit on the hard side. We did a 10% water changed and then administered the first treatment.

Well there is my story, I know a bit long, but thought details were important. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tstenback]

The brown spots sound like velvet to me. the spots are usually rust color but can range from orange to brown. Is it a slimey(is that a word) looking coating? The two often show up together (velvet and ich). keep us posted. Here is a link for Velvet HTH

 

[McDLT]

I haven't noticed it being slimey. The treatment, Mardel Maracide, I'm using (as I mentioned above) using is for Ick, Velvet, and other external parasites.

I followed the link but it's for Marine Velvet. I thought there's a difference between Marine and Freshwater.

Thanks for your help and will definately keep y'all posted. Any other advice?

 

[McDLT]

Still would like some help. Last day of treatment and they are still scratching.

 

[tstenback]

How long have you been treating now? With ICH you will have to be careful as when the fish have no spots is the time when the parasite is free swimming and this is the time that meds will kill them. If you stop the treatment too soon you will have perpetual ICH.

 

[McDLT]

The medication says 1, 3, and 5. So I'm on Day 5. I'm not too worried about the Ich, I can deal with that. It was only on one neon tetra. It's the scratching that's driving me crazy. And the neons are not the ones scratching. It's just so frustrating.

I was thinking maybe the Sunsets, Mickey Mouses, and Danios might have some form of lice.

I checked out more about Velvet for Freshwater fish and read that is appears dusty which this is not.

It's very frustrating.