Disease...fungus...rubbing

[LongNY]

My Tiger Barbs are rubbing on plants everywhere, but I don't see any fungus or ick spots.....
My Pleco's fins are fraying and has wht fungus on parts of its body....
I am not sure how to treat the Pleco since I believe it is scaleless and the Tiger Barbs show no other signs of distress other than rubbing on the plants, but something is wrong.... Please help...
Water qualities are good, may be a bit too soft/acidic since I added some plant food pellets into the soil.
John NYC

 

[WILDER]

Need to no how many gallons is the tank, plus full fish stock, if it's fluffy on the body you are dealing with this.

Columnaris (a.k.a. Mouth Fungus)



Symptoms:

An infected fish will have off-white to gray cotton-like patches on the head, fins, gills, body and particularly the mouth. In time, these areas will develop into open sores. Gill swelling may occur, gill filaments may stick together and excessive mucus may develop in the gill area. Rapid breathing can be seen. Fins may deteriorate to the point of leaving the fin rays bare. Muscles may be inflamed and capillaries may rupture. Fish, particularly livebearers, may exhibit "shimmying". Infection may be acute (killing an infected fish within hours), or chronic (lingering for several days before eventually killing the fish). As with most diseases, not all symptoms need be present.



Cause:

The bacterium Flexibacter columnaris.



Treatment:

Ensure that your water conditions (e.g., Ammonia, Nitrite, pH, Nitrate levels, and water temp.) are within their proper ranges. If not, perform a water change and/or treat the water accordingly. Recommended medications include: Furanace, Fungus Eliminator, Fungus Cure, Furacyn, Furan-2, Triple Sulfa, E.M. Tablets, Tetracycline, or Potassium Permanganate. Medicated foods are also recommended. Columnaris can be highly infectious and may quickly kill all aquarium inhabitants; therefore, early treatment is essential. All fish, including those not yet showing visible symptoms, as well as the aquarium they inhabit should be treated.

 

[LongNY]

Thanks for the information so far.

I have a 20gal tank.....

20 small tiger barbs, 2 sm Cory Catfish and one...(now defunct) Pleco....

My water qualities are fine.... my nitrAtes are high, but will balance that out tonight with a 25% water change.

I have a medication free tank and have always quarantined any new additions to my main tank for at least 2 weeks.

I did have ick a while back, but raised temperature to 84F degrees and it went away without medicating my tank.

I now see tiny spots on the fins of 2 of my Barbs, so I am raising the temperature again.

Any more advice would be great to read.

Thanks again,
John NYC

 

[WILDER]

how big are the white spots on the fins.

 

[WILDER]

http/www.aquatic-hobbyist.com/profiles/d...columnaris.html

 

[LongNY]

Thanks to all....

It is not Ick!!

I have lowered the temperature of the water to 74 degrees and hope that my guys can hold on until I get some medication for the entire tank...

The Pleco is gone and 2 tiger barbs are getting a type of fungus on their fins...yikes!!!



John NYC

 

[xXMrBonesXx]

filter not strong enough for the fish load?

 

[LongNY]

Filters are fine.... I have 3 in a 20 gal tank...... the water is crystal clear... the water qualities are fine... maybe a bit too acidic, but that's all that I can see.....

Thanks,
John NYC

 

[WILDER]

You are dealing with a columnaris outbreak which can wipe a tank out, you need to medicate the tank.with maracyn one and two.

http/www.flippersandfins.net/flexibacter.htm

 

[LongNY]

Thanks...going for the Maracyn one and two.....

Lowered the temp already.....

water change...

John NYC