Do my punctatus cory catfish have ich?

[Ken Sauer]

I am new to this. We have had this tank for 1 1/2 weeks. This morning, after cleaning the tank for the first time, we notice these white spots. Is this ich? If so, what should I do? Thanks so much--Ken Sauer

 

[Guyb93]

Looks like ich to me but I’m no expert

 

[Ken Sauer]

I am new to this. We have had this tank for 1 1/2 weeks. This morning, after cleaning the tank for the first time, we notice these white spots. Is this ich? If so, what should I do? Thanks so much--Ken Sauer

Or is it possible that this is sand residue from having just stirred up the sand in the tank by using a vacuum pump? It looks like one of the corys doesn't have the white stuff on it now and the other has less...???

 

[Guyb93]

If it’s just brushing away then not ich

 

[FishBearer9845]

Hi
What are your water parameters? Was the tank cycled prior to adding them?
Does look like ich to me but it could be fungal?
I'm no expert but I know what they'll ask!
@essjay @Byron

 

[Essjay]

It doesn't look quite right for ich, more as if they are covered in white dust. Are there any other fish in the tank, and if so, do they have spots? And how many cories do you have?

What are the ammonia and nitrite levels as the tank is new? If either of them are above zero, they will be stressing the fish, and stress fish get sick more easily.

I know photographing fish is not easy but if you could manage some more photos it will help us to work out if it is ich or something else.

I hate to tell you this, but white substrate is not good for fish. No fish have evolved over white, it reflects light back into the water and fish do not like it. The substrate also looks granular - if it is rough, that is not good for cories. The best thing you can do for your fish is to replace the substrate with sand, Quickrete playsand is used by a lot of members.

 

[CassCats]

looks like fine powder from the sand. Happens with mine digging too.

Btw those are corydoras paleatus not punctatus

 

[Ken Sauer]

It doesn't look quite right for ich, more as if they are covered in white dust. Are there any other fish in the tank, and if so, do they have spots? And how many cories do you have?

What are the ammonia and nitrite levels as the tank is new? If either of them are above zero, they will be stressing the fish, and stress fish get sick more easily.

I know photographing fish is not easy but if you could manage some more photos it will help us to work out if it is ich or something else.

I hate to tell you this, but white substrate is not good for fish. No fish have evolved over white, it reflects light back into the water and fish do not like it. The substrate also looks granular - if it is rough, that is not good for cories. The best thing you can do for your fish is to replace the substrate with sand, Quickrete playsand is used by a lot of members.

It is sand from a bag we bought at PetCo. I don't think it's rough. Are you thinking it looks like white gravel? Thanks ( :

 

[Ken Sauer]

looks like fine powder from the sand. Happens with mine digging too.

Btw those are corydoras paleatus not punctatus

That's interesting. The description at the store called them punctatus. Thanks

 

[Ken Sauer]

It doesn't look quite right for ich, more as if they are covered in white dust. Are there any other fish in the tank, and if so, do they have spots? And how many cories do you have?

What are the ammonia and nitrite levels as the tank is new? If either of them are above zero, they will be stressing the fish, and stress fish get sick more easily.

I know photographing fish is not easy but if you could manage some more photos it will help us to work out if it is ich or something else.

I hate to tell you this, but white substrate is not good for fish. No fish have evolved over white, it reflects light back into the water and fish do not like it. The substrate also looks granular - if it is rough, that is not good for cories. The best thing you can do for your fish is to replace the substrate with sand, Quickrete playsand is used by a lot of members.

Thanks. The levels are all good. I'll get another photo up...haven't looked at them for a couple hours.

 

[Ken Sauer]

Looks like they are ich-free!!! Thanks so much everyone for your help. ( : Ken

 

[Essjay]

Are you thinking it looks like white gravel

It does look a bit like fine gravel in the photo.

But white is still not good for fish whether it's gravel or sand, I'm afraid.

 

[Ken Sauer]

It does look a bit like fine gravel in the photo.

But white is still not good for fish whether it's gravel or sand, I'm afraid.

Really? huh... Thanks. I guess I'll have to figure out how to change it

 

[Byron]

On the substrate, that is more a "gravel" than a fine sand, and changing it out would be beneficial for the fish (cories and any others too). White is not a good substrate colour as it reflects white and this can stress fish because it is not natural and it makes them feel vulnerable. Being gravel, the cories cannot filter feed as they need to do.

White can also be calcareous, sometimes, and this will raise the GH/KH and pH. Avoid white for this reason too.

A darkish fine sand, something in a natural buff tone or dark grey mix, works well. Quality play sand is your least expensive option and perfectly suited. As you are in the US, have a look for Quikrete Play Sand; Home Depot and Lowe's carry this, and it comes in a buff tone and a dark grey, they will likely have one or the other. I use the dark grey Quikrete Play Sand.

 

[Tez_20]

Really? huh... Thanks. I guess I'll have to figure out how to change it

Ken i feed my fish flakes of a morning and it can either be your fine sand/gravel doing it but flake food got stuck to my bronze corys tail just one piece months back and i got concerned but it removed off him the next day.